The classic International Rally Championship, released in 1997 for PC, has received a native recompilation project for Windows 10 and 11. Developed by the Brazilian Eric de Oliveira, IRC Recompilador transforms the old executable's code into a modern 64-bit program. In addition, the port offers higher resolution graphics, split-screen two-player matches, and an installer with a Portuguese interface.

The developer released version IRC Recompilador 1.0.0 on October 8, 2026. The official package contains a portable tool for Windows, but does not include International Rally Championship. Therefore, the user needs to provide the files from their own copy of the game's CD to generate the new executable.

International Rally Championship gets native recompilation for Windows

The Eric de Oliveira's project uses static recompilation to transform old x86 instructions into C code. Afterwards, this code is compiled to produce a native 64-bit version of the game.

International Rally Championship was originally developed by Magnetic Fields and released in 1997. Its executable used x86 assembly code and relied on old Windows and DirectX technologies. In another independent project, Stunts (1990) also got a browser port, through a different technical path.

Now, the recompiler recovers these routines and connects them to a new execution layer based on SDL3. This way, the game can run on modern systems without relying on a Windows 98 installation or a full emulator of that system.

However, the project does not distribute the commercial data of International Rally Championship. The user must provide their own CD image, which will be processed locally.

According to the documentation, the recompiler works specifically with the game edition that uses the RAL.EXE 4.81 file from December 1998. Other versions of the executable may not work correctly.

Portuguese recompiler installs the game in a few steps

One of the project's features is the graphical interface. Instead of requiring the player to manually run various development programs, the author provides the file IRC-Recompilador.exe.

The tool features menus in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. In addition, it allows choosing the CD image, selecting the destination folder, and tracking the recompilation steps through a progress bar.

Upon first use, the application downloads the compilation tools and the necessary SDL3 components. According to the developer, this initial download requires approximately 420 MB of additional data.

After the game has been recompiled, the program allows launching it, changing settings, creating a shortcut, and checking the integrity of the produced files.

The author also implemented a validation option that checks essential files and the 12 songs. In this way, the tool helps identify incomplete or corrupted installations.

International Rally Championship receives higher resolution graphics

The port uses a new implementation of graphic functions that previously relied on Direct3D 5. Furthermore, it includes a custom renderer capable of working with higher resolution images.

According to the developer, the graphical presentation can take advantage of resolutions such as 1280 × 960 and 1920 × 1440, depending on the settings. The system also offers filters, transparencies, shadows, and fog.

The player can use the original 4:3 format, with pillarboxes on widescreen monitors, or select the stretched image option. Therefore, the project does not promise to natively expand the field of view to 16:9.

In addition, an 8-bit software rendering alternative remains available for those who prefer a presentation close to the original.

The renderer also combines the three-dimensional graphics with the original two-dimensional menus and HUD elements. Thus, it seeks to maintain the game's appearance while adapting its execution to current hardware.

Port keeps split screen, races, championship and replays

The developer reports that the recompilation already runs menus, videos, races, championship, replays, and local two-player split-screen matches.

In addition, the program preserves the sound effects and CD music. During preparation, the tracks are converted to lossless FLAC. The process also compares the converted data to the originals to verify audio integrity.

Matches can use the vehicles and circuits present in the game files. However, the outcome still depends on the compatibility of the CD edition with the recompiler.

On the other hand, network multiplayer does not work. The old Networked Rally mode remains out of scope for the current implementation.

Modern controls still present limitations

Although the recompiled version runs races on modern systems, support for modern gamepads and steering wheels is not yet complete.

According to the README, the game features an old Joystick mode, but current physical controllers can cause the vehicle to remain braked. Additionally, the menus still rely on the keyboard.

Therefore, the currently recommended method is to play with the keys configured within International Rally Championship itself.

The project offers control remapping. Additionally, it allows switching between windowed and fullscreen mode using Alt+Enter.

Meanwhile, the author continues investigating modern controller compatibility. Thus, it is still not correct to announce full support for USB steering wheels or Xbox and PlayStation gamepads.

Video shows the original International Rally Championship

For those unfamiliar with the 1997 game, the video below features matches from the classic Windows edition, recorded by Squakenet. It helps identify the tracks, vehicles, and menus preserved by the new project.

The video is a historical reference. Therefore, it does not serve as proof of performance, compatibility, or graphic quality of the new executable.

How to download and install International Rally Championship Recomp 1.0.0

The author makes the tool available in the official 1.0.0 GitHub release. The package is intended for 64-bit Windows 10 or 11.

1. Download the official file IRC-Recompilador.exe using the button below.

DOWNLOAD INTERNATIONAL RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP PORT WINDOWS UPDATED

2. Open the recompiler after verifying that the file came from the developer's official release.
3. In the interface, choose the Portuguese language.
4. Select the image of your own copy of the International Rally Championship CD, in CUE and BIN format.
5. Choose the folder where you want to install the recompiled version.
6. Check the requirements and click on Recompile the game.
7. On the first run, wait for the compilation tools and SDL3 to download.
8. Wait for the program to translate and compile the game.
9. Then, select Play and configure the graphics display.

The file provided by the author is approximately 14.8 MB. However, it only contains the recompiler, not the commercial game.

According to the documentation, the initial installation may require about 2.5 GB of free space. Meanwhile, the recompiled game takes up approximately 370 MB.

Recompilation takes less than a minute in the author's tests

The developer performed measurements using an Intel Core i7-11700. On this computer, generating the executable took approximately 26 seconds with Clang and 42 seconds with MSVC, not necessarily counting the initial tool download.

These results belong to the environment tested by the creator. Therefore, the time may vary significantly depending on the processor, memory, and storage speed.

In addition, the project uses parallel tasks during music conversion and native code generation.

The developer also reports automated tests of the x86 instruction translation. According to him, the verification covered 35,784 basic blocks and over 379,000 test cases, with no translation discrepancies relevant to the game.

Linux and macOS do not yet have validated compatibility

Although the code was organized with the intention of facilitating future builds on other platforms, the author informs that Linux and macOS have not yet undergone the same tests as Windows.

Therefore, version 1.0.0 should not be advertised as a ready port for Linux, Steam Deck, or Mac.

Similarly, the recompiler does not turn just any Windows 98 game into a modern application. It was developed specifically for International Rally Championship and the documented executable version.

International Rally Championship returns with a different approach to emulation

The new project demonstrates how older games can receive modern executables without depending on the full reproduction of an old operating system.

However, the process still requires compatibility components, compilation tools, and the original game data. In addition, the implementation remains independent and has no official connection to the commercial rights holders.

Finally, the IRC Recompiler offers an alternative to preserve International Rally Championship and run it on current Windows. Those interested can follow new fixes, controller support, and eventual platform changes via the developer's GitHub.

Sources: official release IRC Decompiler 1.0.0; Eric de Oliveira's repository and README; MobyGames — original International Rally Championship.