Best game decompilation projects to explore
By DecompHub · Updated · English
The best project to explore depends on what you want to learn. This shortlist favors identifiable targets, accessible upstream documentation and different kinds of game code. It is an editorial starting point, not a ranking by completeness or maintainer endorsement. Official repository links were checked on October 10, 2026; follow their live reports for current progress.
Choose a project by your goal
| Project | Useful starting point | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Super Mario 64 | Explore a recognizable 3D platformer and its reconstructed source | Supported release and build inputs |
| Ocarina of Time | Study a large Zelda reconstruction with version-specific configuration | Which version your build and report describe |
| Majora’s Mask | Explore a related Zelda project as its own target | Its own setup and contribution instructions |
| Pokémon Emerald | Examine a Game Boy Advance RPG reconstruction | The base repository versus downstream ROM hacks |
| Super Smash Bros. Melee | Investigate a GameCube fighting-game project | The required compiler and comparison workflow |
| Paper Mario | Explore an N64 RPG with a different engine and structure | Target version and current project documentation |
Separate studying code from playing a port
A matching project may prioritize reproducing an original build. If your goal is playing on modern hardware, look for a documented native port or compatible implementation and read its release requirements. DevilutionX, for example, develops Diablo for modern systems; its purpose differs from preserving one executable byte for byte.
Do not assume that source availability includes original art, audio or game data. Check each project’s input requirements and license. A directory entry is a route to that evidence, not a replacement for it.
Make the shortlist actionable
Choose two projects, read each setup guide and identify one thing you can actually verify: a build, a documented behavior or a small source-code comparison. Prefer the one whose prerequisites you can satisfy today. You can return to a more ambitious target later.
Use the games catalogue for a wider search. For your first contribution, read how to choose a beginner-friendly task; for reported percentages, read the progress guide.