A cult trilogy PlayStation 2 can now be rediscovered for free on PC, with the added bonus of a guest that no one expected: Mario version Super Mario 64. The three episodes of the series Jak and Daxter, signed Naughty Dogbenefit from a native PC port via the fan project OpenGOALwhile a modder has fun landing the mascot of Nintendo.
Launched between 2001 and 2004 on PS2 with Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, Jack II And Jack 3the trilogy has long been confined to paid collections on PS3 and PS4. Now, a free PC version, technically much more advanced, is circulating in the community, with a totally improbable nod to Super Mario 64 which is already making the rounds on the networks.
How did the Jak & Daxter trilogy come to PC for free with OpenGOAL?
OpenGOAL is an open source project launched around 2020, which decompiles the proprietary language used by Naughty Dog on PS2 to recompile games into native PC executables (Windows, Linux, macOS). Unlike a simple emulation, the code of Jak and Daxter is recompiled, resulting in cleaner, more stable, and more flexible execution.
Since April 1, 2026, PC ports of Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy, Jack II And Jack 3 are considered “feature complete and fully completable”, even if Jack 3 remains in beta. Everything is free, but not delivered with the games: to stay on point, you must have the original PS2 discs, extract the ISOs yourself, then let the OpenGOAL launcher generate the executables from these files.
What does the PC version of Jak & Daxter offer… and how did Mario get invited to the party?
Once installed, this trilogy Jack & Daxter on PC benefits from modern options: resolution up to 4K, framerate at 60 FPS and above, support for ultra wide screens, almost instantaneous loading times, complete remapping of keys and more flexible camera. On an average gaming PC, the comfort far exceeds that of the PS2 and even PS4 collections, frozen and without mods.
It is precisely this native port status that opens the door to the craziest creations. The modder StormslayerDev explains, quoted by Gamingbible: “People really underestimate the potential of modding since Smash was decompiled.” He adds: “They are adding Super Mario 64 In Jak and DaxterI don’t even know how to describe how awesome it is!” His project replaces Jak’s model with Mario, complete with sound effects and voice of Charles Martinetoffering a Mario x PlayStation crossover that neither Sony neither Nintendo would not officially authorize.
Who can play Jak & Daxter on PC, under what conditions and what sequels can we hope for for PlayStation?
Hardware-wise, a recent entry-level or mid-range PC is more than enough, with a controller recommended to get the console feel. On the software side, you have to download the OpenGOAL launcher for free from the official site, create ISOs from your own PS2 discs, then let the tool build the PC versions. The mods, including the one dedicated to Super Mario 64, are then collected via the usual channels of the modding scene, carefully following the instructions to avoid any pirated content.
This free PC version is a reminder that fans today are offering the best possible experience for the trilogy Jack & Daxterwhile PlayStation is content with fairly reasonable paid reissues. As for Crash Bandicoot Or Spyro the Dragonwhose official returns were driven by nostalgia, this unofficial revival could revive interest around the license. In the meantime, seeing Mario running in Jak’s settings has symbolic value: the modding scene is breaking down, at least on PC, the walls between the historic mascots of Nintendo and Sony.