Decomp-annotated recomps
1379.tech · 1379.tech · 2026-08-17
Why recompilation and decompilation become more useful when a native port can inherit names and intent from a decomp project.
Recompilation and decompilation solve different parts of the preservation problem. A recomp can establish a working native runtime quickly; a decomp gives developers meaningful names, structure, and intent for the original code.
Matt's argument is that projects should stop treating those approaches as rivals. Importing symbols and annotations from a decomp can turn opaque translated functions into code that is much easier to modify, test, and maintain. Super Mario World, Super Mario Bros., and The Minish Cap show what that collaboration can look like.
For Retro Porting Toolkit, this is the path from “the game runs” to a port that people can understand and extend.
Read Matt's full argument on 1379.tech →
Related: Super Mario World, Super Mario Bros., and The Minish Cap.