Windows
x64 · Direct3D 11
Download .exe- Installs itself to your user folder, or one you choose.
- Offers to install Microsoft's C++ Build Tools if they're missing (a few GB).
- Unsigned, so SmartScreen may ask before it runs.
Back on the block. Native on your machine.
An unofficial native port of the 2004 Xbox classic for Windows, macOS, Linux and Steam Deck. This project is the definitive way to play this game.
Also available on RecompLauncher and Quiver
Bring your own game. You need your own supported USA Xbox disc image or extracted dump. PS2 and GameCube copies can't be used. The app contains no game files. Why?
What you get
Everything you remember. Nothing holding it back.
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01
Native on three platforms
Windows x64 on Direct3D 11. Apple Silicon Macs and x86-64 Linux on Vulkan. Steam Deck runs the Linux build natively.
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02
60 fps, up to 4× resolution
Targets 60 frames per second with 1×–4× internal resolution. We're optimizing for low-powered hardware, and Steam Deck hits a steady 60 fps at 2×.
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03
Widescreen, up to 32:9
16:9, 16:10 and ultrawide. The HD Widescreen Menus mod redraws every menu and background to match, and original 4:3 is one setting away.
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04
Play in your language
Translation mod support is here. Spanish and French are the first additional languages: ZARF's Spanish mod in the catalogue, and the disc's own French as a setting.
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05
Mod support
Texture and language mods are here, with a curated catalogue in the app. Custom fighters, music, stages and game modes are coming up on the roadmap.
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06
Controllers & keyboard
Xbox, DualSense, Switch Pro and more, with remapping, hot-plug and rumble. Keyboard and mouse can carry gameplay bindings too.
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07
One app for everything
Def Jam Recompiled sets up the game, then handles Play, settings, controls, mods, updates, repair and uninstall. There's nothing else to keep track of.
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08
Cheat menu
Infinite health, max Blazin', giant and tiny fighters, fighter swaps, Story cash and development points.
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09
Add to Steam
On Windows, Linux and Steam Deck, one button beside Play puts the game in your Steam library, artwork included.
Screens
Drag the line. See the difference.
Original on the left. Everything turned up on the right.
Install
One app. Four steps to the first round.
Have your copy
Your own USA Xbox disc image (ISO/XISO) or extracted folder, matching the supported dump manifest.
Download the app
Pick your platform below. The app holds the port's source and tools, never the game.
Follow first run
Choose your copy, then Modern (widescreen at 2×, recommended) or Original (4:3, console look). The app checks your copy and builds the game locally, in several minutes.
Play
Hit Play. New releases show up in the app, and updating keeps your saves, settings and mods.
macOS
Apple Silicon · Vulkan
Download .zip- Apple Silicon only. Intel Macs aren't supported.
- Needs Apple's Xcode Command Line Tools to build the game.
- Unsigned: the first time, choose Open Anyway in Privacy & Security.
Linux & Steam Deck
x86-64 · Vulkan
Download .AppImage- Nothing to install first: it carries its own build toolchain.
- Mark the file as executable, then open it. It installs and updates itself.
- On Steam Deck, start in Desktop Mode for first run's file picker, then play from Gaming Mode.
Also available on RecompLauncher and Quiver
Allow about 12 GiB of working space plus your copy, and up to 15 GiB more for Upscaled
Original Textures. Each release ships a SHA-256 and provenance file beside every download, and
still carries the older DefJamSetup tools for silent installs. Prefer building by hand? See
Build and play (Windows) or
Build on macOS and Linux.
Mods
Make it yours.
The app's Mods page has two tabs. Browse is a curated, signed catalogue. Installed holds everything you have, with one shared load order where later packs win. Nothing downloads or switches on by itself, and an update can be rolled back to the previous version.
- Upscaled Original Textures: generated on your computer from your own copy.
- HD Widescreen Menus: every menu and background, redrawn for widescreen.
- HD Fighters: higher-resolution fighter textures.
- ZARF's Spanish Translation: text, subtitles, fonts and recreated HD images.
- Your own packs: the getting-started guide takes you through your first one.
Mods today change textures and language. Custom fighters, music, stages and game modes are coming up on the roadmap.
News
Fresh off the release page.
Release notes live on GitHub Releases.
Where it's heading
Roadmap & docs.
Engine optimizations
Better performance on low-spec machines, staying current with xboxrecomp and contributing upstream.
Port accuracy
Keep the visuals, tone and feel of the original Xbox game.
Unlocked frame rates
Above 60 fps without changing game speed or timing. Future work.
Widescreen refinement
Edge cases and broader aspect and venue coverage.
Extensible Custom Fighter Mod support
Add your own fighters to the game.
Custom and Restored Songs
New music, and tracks restored to the game.
Additional HD Upscaling mods
Story Fighter customization, plus Stages and Level textures.
Def Jam: The Takeover expansion
Bring the mechanics and story mode from Def Jam: The Takeover into this game.
Broader mods
Custom stages and game modes, difficulty changes and restored cut content.
Deeper decompilation
A long-term stretch goal.
Directions, not promised dates.
- Install guideFirst run, updates, repair, step by step
- App & overlayEvery screen and setting
- ControlsGamepads, keyboard, mouse, remapping
- Settings referenceEverything in settings.ini
- HD texturesGenerate, install and enable packs
- Texture moddingFind, edit and share your first pack
- Language packsPlay in another language, or make a pack
- Importing Xbox savesBring your profiles into the port
- Developer menuEA's restored debug menu
- TroubleshootingSetup, startup and pack recovery
- Open issuesBugs and planned work
- ContributingReports, development setup, tests
FAQ
Straight answers.
Do I need the original game?
Yes. You need your own USA Xbox copy, as a disc image (ISO/XISO) or an extracted folder, matching the supported dump manifest. The app checks it before building. PS2 and GameCube copies can't be used.
Why does the app build the game instead of downloading it?
The project never distributes game files or a compiled game. The app carries the port's source and tools, translates the game code from your copy and compiles it on your computer. Your original copy is left untouched.
How does the port work?
The xboxrecomp toolchain translates the Xbox executable into C, compiled ahead of time. The game's code runs on an Xbox compatibility runtime, with graphics, audio and input supplied by your computer. It's a static recompilation, not an emulator.
Will it run on my computer?
Supported: Windows x64, Macs with Apple Silicon, x86-64 Linux and the Steam Deck. Performance depends on your hardware, settings and the scene. Intel Macs aren't supported, and running the Windows build under Proton is untested.
Does it work on Steam Deck?
Yes, natively. In Desktop Mode, download the AppImage and open it, follow first run, then choose Add to Steam. From then on the game starts from Gaming Mode with its library artwork.
Why does Windows or macOS warn me about the app?
The app isn't code-signed yet, so Windows SmartScreen or macOS Gatekeeper may ask you to confirm. Each release publishes a SHA-256 checksum and provenance file so you can check the download.
Can I play online?
No. Up to four players can play locally with gamepads and a keyboard. Network play isn't supported.
I used the old setup. How do I move to the app?
Download the app and open it. First run finds an existing installation, or you can point it at one under Use an existing installation. Your saves, settings and mods are kept.
How do updates work? Will I lose my saves?
The app checks GitHub for new releases when it starts (you can turn this off) and updates itself. When your game is older than the app, Update game builds it again from your copy in about three to ten minutes. Saves, settings and mods are kept, and the previous version stays playable until the new build is ready. Repair and uninstall are under Help.
Is it finished?
All game functionality works, and the port keeps improving based on player feedback. Open bugs are in GitHub Issues, and each release's notes list its known limits.
Something's broken. Where do I report it?
Start with troubleshooting, then open a GitHub issue with your version, OS, CPU/GPU, controller and the relevant log lines. Please don't attach F9 bug bundles, game files or dumps.
Join the crew.
Development happens in the open. Follow along, get setup help, share ideas and talk mods on Discord. File bugs on GitHub so they get tracked.