# Perfect Dark: matching Nintendo 64 decompilation

> Reconstructs Perfect Dark’s Nintendo 64 code with a documented matching-ROM build. The project combines reconstructed source with assets from a user-supplied original ROM, then checks version-specific artifact hashes. It is a reproducible-build research case, distinct from the separate native PC port; matching results remain project-reported here.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-10-18
- Added to the catalog: 2026-10-18
- Original resource: <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark/blob/169ed48bdcbfb3b568b028bd5bebb27680073514/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/perfect-dark-matching-decomp-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/perfect-dark-matching-decomp-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/perfect-dark-matching-decomp-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- **Prerequisites:** Supply an independently authorized original ROM in non-byteswapped .z64 form, with header 0x80371240, named for the selected ROMID. make extract reads assets and comparison segments from that ROM; final builds also reuse extracted boot code. Existing extracted files are not overwritten, so modified inputs can invalidate matching results.
- **Prerequisites:** The documented host setup is Linux: GNU Make, host C/C++ tools, Python 3, MIPS binutils/GCC, armips, Capstone development files and the listed 32-bit libc headers. Initialize the pinned ido-static-recomp submodule. Matching mode reconstructs IDO 5.3 and 7.1 compiler tools from its IRIX inputs; optional GCC builds are nonmatching and limited to ntsc-1.0/ntsc-final.
- **Scope:** The reviewed GitHub repository mirrors Ryan Dwyer’s GitLab project. README describes a complete matching decompilation; six build targets cover NTSC beta, NTSC 1.0/final, PAL beta/final and Japanese final, with ntsc-final as default. This reconstructs an N64 ROM, not a Windows/Linux/macOS game executable or the separate Perfect Dark PC port.
- **Testing evidence:** After building, make test runs quiet MD5 verification against the selected version’s checksum manifest, including the final ROM and intermediate artifacts. The README also documents comparing base/built ROM hashes. The mutable status page reports all six versions complete/matching.
- **License:** The repository declares MIT for source; original ROMs and extracted game assets retain separate rights. Compiler components have their own terms, including the submodule’s SGI notice for IDO 5.3; the project’s MIT declaration does not replace them.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark/blob/169ed48bdcbfb3b568b028bd5bebb27680073514/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark/blob/169ed48bdcbfb3b568b028bd5bebb27680073514/Makefile>
3. <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark/blob/169ed48bdcbfb3b568b028bd5bebb27680073514/LICENSE>
4. <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark/blob/169ed48bdcbfb3b568b028bd5bebb27680073514/.gitmodules>
5. <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark/blob/169ed48bdcbfb3b568b028bd5bebb27680073514/tools/extract>
6. <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark/blob/169ed48bdcbfb3b568b028bd5bebb27680073514/checksums.ntsc-final.md5>
7. <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark/blob/169ed48bdcbfb3b568b028bd5bebb27680073514/checksums.ntsc-beta.md5>
8. <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark/blob/169ed48bdcbfb3b568b028bd5bebb27680073514/checksums.ntsc-1.0.md5>
9. <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark/blob/169ed48bdcbfb3b568b028bd5bebb27680073514/checksums.pal-beta.md5>
10. <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark/blob/169ed48bdcbfb3b568b028bd5bebb27680073514/checksums.pal-final.md5>
11. <https://github.com/n64decomp/perfect_dark/blob/169ed48bdcbfb3b568b028bd5bebb27680073514/checksums.jpn-final.md5>
12. <https://github.com/Emill/ido-static-recomp/blob/421e546956ceae984927e609b083195e9e81659e/README.md>
13. <https://github.com/Emill/ido-static-recomp/blob/421e546956ceae984927e609b083195e9e81659e/ido/5.3/LICENSE.md>
14. <https://ryandwyer.gitlab.io/pdstatus/>
15. <https://gitlab.com/ryandwyer/perfect-dark/-/tree/46d3393bed1a3d5fbefbdba6df7237579b5c66e0>

## More in Games

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- [Phantom Hourglass: an early-stage matching Nintendo DS decompilation](https://awesomerea.org/resources/phantom-hourglass-ds-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study
- [Pikmin 2: a fully matched GameCube decompilation across five releases](https://awesomerea.org/resources/pikmin-2-matching-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study
- [pokecrystal: a matching Pokémon Crystal disassembly](https://awesomerea.org/resources/pokecrystal-disassembly-case/index.md) · Case study
- [pokered: a matching Pokémon Red and Blue disassembly](https://awesomerea.org/resources/pokered-disassembly-case/index.md) · Case study
- [pokeruby: a matching Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire decompilation](https://awesomerea.org/resources/pokeruby-decomp-case/index.md) · Case study

## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.