Nintendo PC ports keep coming with Super Mario Galaxy and Pilotwings 64

TL;DR: Super Mario Galaxy has been decompiled for an upcoming native PC port, with the project demonstrating 60 FPS and potential support for higher resolutions, custom controls, increased draw distance, and mods. Pilotwings 64: Recompiled is available for Windows and Linux, offering widescreen and higher frame rates; it requires a US copy of the game.
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Created by Luma’s Workshop and without any AI, the AstroCore project has successfully decompiled Nintendo’s Super Mario Galaxy, with a native PC port of the iconic platformer “coming soon.” Super Mario Galaxy originally debuted in 2007 as the big Super Mario game for the Nintendo Wii. Although motion controls defined Nintendo’s Wii era, Super Mario Galaxy is still widely considered a traditional 3D platformer because it doesn’t rely on Wii Remote functions for Mario’s movement.

With Super Mario Galaxy decompiled, the game’s code has been reverse-engineered so it can be recompiled to run on a wide range of platforms, starting with PC. Without emulating Wii hardware, this native PC port of Super Mario Galaxy can support higher resolutions, frame rates, custom controls, bigger draw distances, and even mods like texture packs. The AstroCore shows that the game runs on PC at a smooth 60 FPS.

The Luma’s Workshop team notes that once the PC port of Super Mario Galaxy is complete, it will shift its efforts to the game’s sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2. As with all recompilation projects, since the new code doesn’t infringe on copyright, players will still need to have their own copy or backup of the game for various art assets.

• Read more: Iconic N64 shooter GoldenEye 007 is getting a native PC port
• Read more: Iconic Nintendo 64 game Banjo-Kazooie gets ported to PC
• Read more: Duke Nukem’s exclusive Nintendo 64 outing from 1999 just got a native PC port

In other “PC ports of classic Nintendo games” news, Pilotwings 64: Recompiled is available now for Windows and Linux. This is a native port of the Nintendo 64 launch title that introduced many console gamers to realistic 3D flight simulation in a game where you hang-glide and fly around in jet packs and gyrocopters.

How will AstroCore map Super Mario Galaxy’s Wii Remote controls to PC controllers?

AstroCore’s planned PC port will support custom controls, but no specific mapping for Super Mario Galaxy’s Wii Remote functions has been announced here. Mario’s movement does not rely on Wii Remote functions, though the game does use motion controls.

What graphics and performance settings will be available in AstroCore’s Super Mario Galaxy port?

AstroCore’s native PC port is expected to support higher resolutions and frame rates, larger draw distances, custom controls, and mods such as texture packs. The project has shown Super Mario Galaxy running on PC at 60 FPS, but the port is still in development.

Which game files must players provide to run AstroCore’s Super Mario Galaxy port?

What graphics settings can players adjust in Pilotwings 64: Recompiled?

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This version supports widescreen, various graphics settings, and higher frame rates than the original release. It requires a US version of Pilotwings 64 to run, joining the growing lineup of N64 games with native PC ports like Super Mario 64, Mario Kart 64, Perfect Dark, Donkey Kong 64, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and more.