emulator: Jazz² Resurrection
type: standalone + libretro
core_classification: game_engine
source: "https://github.com/deathkiller/jazz2-native"
upstream: "https://github.com/deathkiller/jazz2-native"
profiled_date: "2026-10-04"
source_commit: "36a1414d691142443ef7ad9078995e2be4755f11"
core_version: "3.9.0"
display_name: "Jazz Jackrabbit 2 (Jazz² Resurrection)"
cores: [jazz2]
systems: [jazz-jackrabbit-2]

notes: |
  Open-source reimplementation of Jazz Jackrabbit 2 by Dan R. The engine
  ships its own Content/ tree (animations, metadata, translations) that
  sits next to the executable in a portable copy, or under
  <prefix>/share/<package>/ once installed.
  ref: Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:195-247 (GetContentPath per
       platform), Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:455-531 (Unix layouts)

  Original Jazz Jackrabbit 2 data is read from Source/ and converted
  on first launch into the engine's own formats under Cache/: Anims.j2a
  and Data.j2d into a package, then every .j2e, .j2l and the tilesets
  the levels name. Music and cinematics are read from Source/ as they
  are.
  ref: Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:324-353 (GetSourcePath),
       Sources/Main.cpp:2237-2301 (RefreshCache),
       Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:332-348,
       Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:585-712

  Content/ is the engine runtime, shipped with the release package.
  Source/ holds the user's own copy of the 1998 game data. Without
  Anims.j2a (or the shareware AnimsSw.j2a) and without an existing
  cache the engine starts but is not playable. A Content/ tree prepared
  by the AssetPacker tool carries Prebaked.pak: the conversion is then
  skipped and Source/ is not read.
  ref: Sources/Main.cpp:2149-2155,
       Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:698-706

  On Android, Apple, Unix, UWP, Switch and Vita a Content/ directory
  next to Cache/ (next to Source/ on iOS) is searched before the shipped
  one, its .pak files first.
  ref: Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:708-747,
       Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:813-860

  The libretro build looks for Content/ next to the loaded file, in the
  core assets directory or in <system>/jazz2/, and for the original
  files in Source/ beside it, in the system directory itself or in
  <system>/jazz2/Source/.
  ref: Sources/Main.cpp:286-374

files:
  # ================================================================
  # Content/ (runtime data, shipped with each standalone release)
  # ================================================================

  - name: "Animations/"
    type: directory
    category: game_data
    path: "jazz2/Content/Animations/"
    standalone_path: "Content/Animations/"
    mode: libretro
    required: true
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:1352, 1482, 3165-3166"
    note: "Native graphics, sounds and the UI fonts, opened through OpenContentFile. No libretro build is published with the release, so the tree is placed by hand."

  - name: "Animations/"
    type: directory
    category: game_data
    path: "jazz2/Content/Animations/"
    standalone_path: "Content/Animations/"
    mode: standalone
    bundled: true
    required: true
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:1352, 1482, 3165-3166"
    note: "Native graphics, sounds and the UI fonts, opened through OpenContentFile. Shipped beside the executable in the 3.8.0 Windows and Linux zips."

  - name: "Metadata/"
    type: directory
    category: game_data
    path: "jazz2/Content/Metadata/"
    standalone_path: "Content/Metadata/"
    mode: libretro
    required: true
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:1099"
    note: "Actor .res descriptors (Common, Enemy, Player, UI, Boss, ...). No libretro build is published with the release, so the tree is placed by hand."

  - name: "Metadata/"
    type: directory
    category: game_data
    path: "jazz2/Content/Metadata/"
    standalone_path: "Content/Metadata/"
    mode: standalone
    bundled: true
    required: true
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:1099"
    note: "Actor .res descriptors (Common, Enemy, Player, UI, Boss, ...). Shipped beside the executable in the 3.8.0 Windows and Linux zips."

  - name: "Translations/"
    type: directory
    category: game_data
    path: "jazz2/Content/Translations/"
    standalone_path: "Content/Translations/"
    mode: libretro
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Main.cpp:2029-2037, Sources/Jazz2/UI/Menu/LanguageSelectSection.cpp:83-95"
    note: "Language .mo bundles, searched in the user Content/Translations/ and in Cache/Translations/ first. Built-in English is used when none is loaded. No libretro build is published with the release, so the tree is placed by hand."

  - name: "Translations/"
    type: directory
    category: game_data
    path: "jazz2/Content/Translations/"
    standalone_path: "Content/Translations/"
    mode: standalone
    bundled: true
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Main.cpp:2029-2037, Sources/Jazz2/UI/Menu/LanguageSelectSection.cpp:83-95"
    note: "Language .mo bundles, searched in the user Content/Translations/ and in Cache/Translations/ first. Built-in English is used when none is loaded. Shipped beside the executable in the 3.8.0 Windows and Linux zips."

  # ================================================================
  # Source/ (original Jazz Jackrabbit 2 data, user-supplied)
  # Converted into Cache/ on first launch.
  # ================================================================

  - name: "Anims.j2a"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/Anims.j2a"
    standalone_path: "Source/Anims.j2a"
    required: true
    source_ref: "Sources/Main.cpp:2237-2253, Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:336-339"
    note: "Main animation archive. The cache cannot be created without it and the game is not flagged playable."

  - name: "AnimsSw.j2a"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/AnimsSw.j2a"
    standalone_path: "Source/AnimsSw.j2a"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Main.cpp:2240-2242"
    note: "Animation archive of the shareware demo, read when Anims.j2a is absent."

  - name: "Data.j2d"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/Data.j2d"
    standalone_path: "Source/Data.j2d"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:341-344"
    note: "Converted into the cache package when present."

  - name: "Plus.j2d"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/Plus.j2d"
    standalone_path: "Source/Plus.j2d"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:271-316, 512-515, Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/JJ2Level.cpp:1128-1130"
    note: "Data file of a JJ2+ installation. Read once a converted level names one of its TextureBG.<n> textures. Without it a texture is made up for that layer."

  # Episode descriptors (.j2e) and level files (.j2l) are optional per
  # episode. Every one present in Source/ is converted.
  # ref: Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:585-712

  - name: "prince.j2e"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/prince.j2e"
    standalone_path: "Source/prince.j2e"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:364-371, 490-492, 592-621"
    note: "First episode of the chain prince, rescue, flash, monk."

  - name: "rescue.j2e"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/rescue.j2e"
    standalone_path: "Source/rescue.j2e"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:373-379, 493-494, 592-621"
    note: "Second episode of the chain."

  - name: "flash.j2e"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/flash.j2e"
    standalone_path: "Source/flash.j2e"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:381-388, 495-496, 592-621"
    note: "Third episode of the chain."

  - name: "monk.j2e"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/monk.j2e"
    standalone_path: "Source/monk.j2e"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:390-395, 497-498, 592-621"
    note: "Fourth episode of the chain."

  - name: "share.j2e"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/share.j2e"
    standalone_path: "Source/share.j2e"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:397-399, 470-471, 592-621"
    note: "Shareware Demo episode."

  - name: "xmas98.j2e"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/xmas98.j2e"
    standalone_path: "Source/xmas98.j2e"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:472-473, 597, 605-606, 619"
    note: "Holiday Hare '98. Stored under the name xmas99 and skipped when xmas99.j2e is present."

  - name: "xmas99.j2e"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/xmas99.j2e"
    standalone_path: "Source/xmas99.j2e"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:362, 401-403, 474-475"
    note: "The Christmas Chronicles."

  - name: "secretf.j2e"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/secretf.j2e"
    standalone_path: "Source/secretf.j2e"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:405-413, 476-477, 592-621"
    note: "The Secret Files episode."

  - name: "home.j2e"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/home.j2e"
    standalone_path: "Source/home.j2e"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:608-614"
    note: "Entry that lists custom levels."

  # Levels of the Shareware Demo. Every .j2l present in Source/ is
  # converted, whatever its name.
  # ref: Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:622-708

  - name: "share1.j2l"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/share1.j2l"
    standalone_path: "Source/share1.j2l"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:397, 622-691"
    note: "First level of share.j2e, stored as share/01_share1. Its exit names share2."

  - name: "share2.j2l"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/share2.j2l"
    standalone_path: "Source/share2.j2l"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:398, 622-691"
    note: "Second level of the Shareware Demo episode. Its exit names share3."

  - name: "share3.j2l"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/share3.j2l"
    standalone_path: "Source/share3.j2l"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:399, 622-691"
    note: "Third level of the Shareware Demo episode. Its exit ends the episode."

  - name: "sharectf.j2l"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/sharectf.j2l"
    standalone_path: "Source/sharectf.j2l"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:56, 622-691"
    note: "Capture the flag level of the Shareware Demo, stored under unknown/."

  - name: "sharect2.j2l"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/sharect2.j2l"
    standalone_path: "Source/sharect2.j2l"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:56, 622-691"
    note: "Capture the flag level of the Shareware Demo, stored under unknown/."

  - name: "sharetrs.j2l"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/sharetrs.j2l"
    standalone_path: "Source/sharetrs.j2l"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:56, 622-691"
    note: "Treasure hunt level of the Shareware Demo, stored under unknown/."

  # Tilesets. Only those a converted level names are converted. The name
  # is read from the level, lowercased and looked up in Source/ without
  # regard to case.
  # ref: Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/JJ2Level.cpp:136, 785-788,
  #      Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:684, 771-792

  - name: "labrat1n.j2t"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/labrat1n.j2t"
    standalone_path: "Source/labrat1n.j2t"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/JJ2Level.cpp:136, 785-788, Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:684, 771-792"
    note: "Tileset named by share1.j2l, sharect2.j2l and sharetrs.j2l."

  - name: "psych2.j2t"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/psych2.j2t"
    standalone_path: "Source/psych2.j2t"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/JJ2Level.cpp:136, 785-788, Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:684, 771-792"
    note: "Tileset named by share2.j2l."

  - name: "diam2.j2t"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/diam2.j2t"
    standalone_path: "Source/diam2.j2t"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/JJ2Level.cpp:136, 785-788, Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:684, 771-792"
    note: "Tileset named by share3.j2l and sharectf.j2l."

  # Music, read from the user Content/Music/, then Content/Music/, then Source/
  # ref: Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:3106-3122

  - name: "menu.j2b"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/menu.j2b"
    standalone_path: "Source/menu.j2b"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/UI/Menu/MainMenu.cpp:514-516, Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:731-734"
    note: "Main menu music."

  - name: "bonus2.j2b"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/bonus2.j2b"
    standalone_path: "Source/bonus2.j2b"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/UI/Menu/MainMenu.cpp:508-509, Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:731-734"
    note: "Menu music of the reforged main menu, picked at random with bonus3.j2b."

  - name: "bonus3.j2b"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/bonus3.j2b"
    standalone_path: "Source/bonus3.j2b"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/UI/Menu/MainMenu.cpp:508-509, Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:731-734"
    note: "Menu music of the reforged main menu, picked at random with bonus2.j2b."

  - name: "intro.j2b"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/intro.j2b"
    standalone_path: "Source/intro.j2b"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/UI/Cinematics.cpp:549, Sources/Main.cpp:615, Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:731-734"
    note: "Music of the intro cinematic."

  - name: "ending.j2b"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/ending.j2b"
    standalone_path: "Source/ending.j2b"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/UI/Cinematics.cpp:549, Sources/Main.cpp:1098, Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:731-734"
    note: "Music of the ending cinematic."

  # Level music. The name is read from the level, lowercased and given
  # the .j2b extension when it has none.
  # ref: Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/JJ2Level.cpp:140, 795-801

  - name: "labrat.j2b"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/labrat.j2b"
    standalone_path: "Source/labrat.j2b"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/JJ2Level.cpp:140, 795-801, Sources/Jazz2/LevelHandler.cpp:700-706, Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:3106-3116"
    note: "Music named by share1.j2l, sharect2.j2l and sharetrs.j2l."

  - name: "funkyg.j2b"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/funkyg.j2b"
    standalone_path: "Source/funkyg.j2b"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/JJ2Level.cpp:140, 795-801, Sources/Jazz2/LevelHandler.cpp:700-706, Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:3106-3116"
    note: "Music named by share2.j2l."

  - name: "diamond.j2b"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/diamond.j2b"
    standalone_path: "Source/diamond.j2b"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/JJ2Level.cpp:140, 795-801, Sources/Jazz2/LevelHandler.cpp:700-706, Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:3106-3116"
    note: "Music named by share3.j2l and sharectf.j2l."

  - name: "boss2.j2b"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/boss2.j2b"
    standalone_path: "Source/boss2.j2b"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/EventConverter.cpp:360-370, Sources/Jazz2/Compatibility/AssetConverter.cpp:697-700, Sources/Jazz2/LevelHandler.cpp:1547-1550, Sources/Jazz2/ContentResolver.cpp:3106-3116"
    note: "Boss music. The boss activation event carries a music index that is converted to boss1.j2b or boss2.j2b and recorded as music the level uses. share3.j2l carries index 1."

  # Cinematics, read from Content/Cinematics/ then from Source/

  - name: "intro.j2v"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/intro.j2v"
    standalone_path: "Source/intro.j2v"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/UI/Cinematics.cpp:576-593, Sources/Main.cpp:615"
    note: "Intro cinematic. Skipped when absent."

  - name: "ending.j2v"
    category: game_data
    system: jazz-jackrabbit-2
    path: "jazz2/Source/ending.j2v"
    standalone_path: "Source/ending.j2v"
    required: false
    source_ref: "Sources/Jazz2/UI/Cinematics.cpp:576-593, Sources/Main.cpp:1098"
    note: "Ending cinematic. Skipped when absent."