Earthworm Jim 2 received a native recompilation for Windows based on the European PlayStation version. The Earthworm Jim 2 Recompiled project reached version 0.2 on October 3, 2026, and already pre-compiles the menu, all 17 stages, and the ending, although the author does not yet consider the entire playthrough validated from end to end.
The work uses psxrecomp to translate the game's MIPS code into C prior to execution and then compile a standard Windows executable. Therefore, the project does not distribute the game and requires your own legally acquired copy of the European SLES-00343 edition.
The video below shows the PlayStation version of Earthworm Jim 2 and serves as a reference for the visuals and gameplay the project aims to replicate.
Earthworm Jim 2 already loads all 17 stages
According to the official documentation, the boot sequence, menus, and debug menu are functional. In addition, all 17 stages load and are playable, with verifications made against DuckStation during development.
The recompilation announcement also highlights that the game's 19 executables, including menu, stages and ending, are converted in advance.
On the other hand, stage transitions, cutscenes and the ending have not yet undergone complete end-to-end validation. The audio also relies on psxrecomp's still partial SPU support, so effects like reverb may not perfectly match the original.
Earthworm Jim 2 features widescreen in 13 of the 17 stages
Another differential of Earthworm Jim 2 is the partial 16:9 widescreen. In 13 of the 17 stages, the game renders additional scenery on the sides instead of simply stretching the image, while the HUD is repositioned to the corners of the screen.
Puppy Love 1, 2, and 3, Flyin' King, and Lorenzo's Soil remain in 4:3 because these stages use a different routine. Menus, videos, transitions, and the ending also remain in the original aspect ratio.
The comparison between different versions of the game helps visualize the differences of the PlayStation edition used as the basis by the project.
How the recompilation works on Windows
The project requires 64-bit Windows 10 or 11, about 6 GB of free space, and recommends 16 GB of RAM during compilation. During the initial setup, the script downloads and verifies a portable toolchain with clang, CMake, Ninja, and Python, without requiring these programs to be pre-installed.
The user places their own European game dump in the folder data and runs run.bat. The process validates the disc, prepares the tools, recompiles the code, and creates EarthwormJim2_Recompiled.exe. Documentation estimates 30 to 60 minutes for the first compilation, depending on the computer.
The repository does not currently offer a complete and independent public package that eliminates this build process. Therefore, this article does not include an automated download button: the public code is meant to generate a private copy from the user's own disc.
Project is not yet a final version
Version 0.2 represents an important milestone because all stages are already playable. Even so, the official status maintains clear reservations regarding audio and end-to-end validation. Therefore, it is incorrect to treat the recompilation as a final replacement for the original version at this stage.
This type of work has been appearing in other retro console games. The Allves Games also follows the TimeSplitters 2 recompiled for PC, which follows another technical base, but starts from the same idea of translating code ahead-of-time for modern hardware.
A second gameplay of the PlayStation edition shows other stages and helps contextualize the current state of the recompilation.
