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Difference between revisions of "Plants vs. Zombies"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
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{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|plants-vs-zombies|85}}
 
{{Infobox game/row/reception|IGDB|plants-vs-zombies|85}}
 
|taxonomy    =
 
|taxonomy    =
−
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | }}
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/monetization      | One-time game purchase, Subscription gaming service }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | None }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/microtransactions | None }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/modes            | Singleplayer }}
Line 23: Line 23:
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Bird's-eye view }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/perspectives      | Bird's-eye view }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Point and select }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/controls          | Point and select }}
−
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Tower defense }}
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/genres            | Tower defense, Farming }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/sports            | }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/vehicles          | }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | Cartoon }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/art styles        | Cartoon }}
−
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Fantasy, Zombies }}
+
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/themes            | Fantasy, Zombies, Contemporary }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Plants vs. Zombies }}
 
{{Infobox game/row/taxonomy/series            | Plants vs. Zombies }}
 
|steam appid  = 3590
 
|steam appid  = 3590
Line 44: Line 44:
  
 
'''Key points'''
 
'''Key points'''
−
{{ii}} For Windows 8 and later use a [[#Low frame rate in fullscreen mode|low frame rate fix]].
+
{{ii}} For Windows 8 and later: [[#Enable 3D acceleration with WineD3D|use WineD3D to fix low frame rate issues]].
−
{{--}} Lacks improvements from home console and mobile versions,<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9oybX9KiGQ Plants vs. Zombies XBOX 360 Longplay/Walkthrough/Playthrough]</ref> including native widescreen, improved sprite resolutions, and controller support.
+
{{--}} Lacks improvements from home console and mobile versions,<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9oybX9KiGQ|title=Plants vs. Zombies XBOX 360 Longplay/Walkthrough/Playthrough|date=May 2023}}</ref> including native widescreen, improved sprite resolutions, and controller support.
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
Line 54: Line 54:
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | Regular and Game of the Year Edition. Requires a disc check every once in a while. | | Windows, OS X }}
 
{{Availability/row| Retail | | disc | Regular and Game of the Year Edition. Requires a disc check every once in a while. | | Windows, OS X }}
−
{{Availability/row| Amazon | B008O8GZ90 | Origin | | | Windows, OS X }}
+
{{Availability/row| Microsoft Store | / | Microsoft Store, Origin | Game of the Year Edition. Included exclusively with {{Store feature|Xbox Game Pass}} as part of its version of EA Play. | | Windows }}
−
{{Availability/row| Origin | plants-vs-zombies/plants-vs-zombies | Origin | Game of the Year Edition. Included with {{Store feature|Origin Access Basic}}. | | Windows, OS X }}
+
{{Availability/row| Origin | plants-vs-zombies/plants-vs-zombies | Origin | Game of the Year Edition. Included with {{Store feature|EA Play}}. | | Windows, OS X }}
 
{{Availability/row| Steam | 3590 | Steam | Game of the Year Edition. Included with {{store feature|EA Play}}. |  | Windows, OS X }}
 
{{Availability/row| Steam | 3590 | Steam | Game of the Year Edition. Included with {{store feature|EA Play}}. |  | Windows, OS X }}
 
{{Availability/row| Games for Windows Marketplace | GFWL | GFWL | <ref>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128031230mp_/http://www.gamesforwindows.com/en-US/Games/Plants-vs--Zombies/|title=Plants vs. Zombies on GFWL|date=31 March 2023}}</ref> | | Windows | unavailable }}
 
{{Availability/row| Games for Windows Marketplace | GFWL | GFWL | <ref>{{Refurl|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110128031230mp_/http://www.gamesforwindows.com/en-US/Games/Plants-vs--Zombies/|title=Plants vs. Zombies on GFWL|date=31 March 2023}}</ref> | | Windows | unavailable }}
 +
}}
 +
 +
==Essential improvements==
 +
===Enable 3D acceleration with WineD3D===
 +
{{ii}} Most modern graphics cards won't be able to enable 3D acceleration in the game options.
 +
{{++}} Enabling 3D acceleration can fix low frame rate issues.
 +
{{Fixbox|description=Use WineD3D|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Tiagoquix|date=2023-07-08}}</ref>|fix=
 +
# Download WineD3D for Windows version "4.5 staging" from [https://downloads.fdossena.com/Projects/WineD3D/Builds/WineD3DForWindows_4.5-staging.zip this link] (direct download). You can also go to [https://fdossena.com/?p=wined3d/index.frag Federico Dossena's website], access "Older versions archive" and download it from there.
 +
# Open the ZIP archive and extract <code>ddraw.dll</code>, <code>libwine.dll</code>, and <code>wined3d.dll</code> to <code>C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\PlantsVsZombies</code>.
 +
# Open the game, and open the options menu. 3D acceleration should be enabled; if it is not, enable it.
 +
{{ii}} If it is still not possible to enable 3D acceleration: try extracting the files to {{p|game}} as well.
 
}}
 
}}
  
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{{Game data|
 
{{Game data|
 
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{P|hkcu}}\Software\PopCap\PlantsVsZombies\}}
 
{{Game data/config|Windows|{{P|hkcu}}\Software\PopCap\PlantsVsZombies\}}
 +
{{Game data/config|Microsoft Store|}}
 
{{Game data/config|OS X|}}
 
{{Game data/config|OS X|}}
 
}}
 
}}
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{{Game data/saves|Origin|{{p|programdata}}/PopCap Games/PlantsVsZombies/userdata/}}
 
{{Game data/saves|Origin|{{p|programdata}}/PopCap Games/PlantsVsZombies/userdata/}}
 
{{Game data/saves|Steam|{{p|steam}}/userdata/{{p|uid}}/3590/remote/}}
 
{{Game data/saves|Steam|{{p|steam}}/userdata/{{p|uid}}/3590/remote/}}
−
{{Game data/saves|OS X|~/Library/Application Support/PopCap/PlantsVsZombiesMac/userdata/}}
+
{{Game data/saves|OS X|{{p|osxhome}}/Library/Application Support/PopCap/PlantsVsZombiesMac/userdata/}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{ii}} Use [https://github.com/petronny/pvz_converter pvz converter] to convert saves between Windows and OS X versions.
 
{{ii}} Use [https://github.com/petronny/pvz_converter pvz converter] to convert saves between Windows and OS X versions.
Line 87: Line 99:
 
|origin notes              =  
 
|origin notes              =  
 
|steam cloud              = true
 
|steam cloud              = true
−
|steam cloud notes        =  
+
|steam cloud notes        = Does not sync between Windows and Mac due to saves being incompatible across platforms.
 
|ubisoft connect          =  
 
|ubisoft connect          =  
 
|ubisoft connect notes    =  
 
|ubisoft connect notes    =  
−
|xbox cloud                =  
+
|xbox cloud                = unknown
 
|xbox cloud notes          =  
 
|xbox cloud notes          =  
 
}}
 
}}
Line 103: Line 115:
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = unsupported
 
|4k ultra hd wsgf award    = unsupported
 
|widescreen resolution      = hackable
 
|widescreen resolution      = hackable
−
|widescreen resolution notes= 800x600 by default. Use [https://github.com/HenryJk/PvZWidescreen PvZWidescreen].
+
|widescreen resolution notes= 800x600 by default.
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor              = false
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
Line 147: Line 159:
 
# Save changes. The game should run in borderless fullscreen now.
 
# Save changes. The game should run in borderless fullscreen now.
 
# If the game doesn't run in borderless fullscreen run it in Windows XP (Service Pack 2) compatibility mode.
 
# If the game doesn't run in borderless fullscreen run it in Windows XP (Service Pack 2) compatibility mode.
−
}}
 
−
 
−
===[[Glossary:Anti-aliasing (AA)|Anti-aliasing (AA)]]===
 
−
{{++}} Removes pixelation effect and smoothes game out, to look similarly to newer releases.
 
−
{{++}} Works with [https://github.com/HenryJk/PvZWidescreen PvZWidescreen] mod.
 
−
{{ii}} Can fix low framerate issues on Windows 8 and newer on some machines.
 
−
{{Fixbox|description=Use WineD3D|ref=<ref>[https://steamsolo.com/guide/how-to-fix-resolution-problem-for-plants-vs-zombies-plants-vs-zombies-game-of-the-year SteamSolo - How to fix “Resolution Problem for Plants vs Zombies”]</ref>|fix=
 
−
# Download latest release from [https://fdossena.com/?p=wined3d/index.frag here].
 
−
# Unpack the <code>ddraw.dll</code>, <code>wined3d.dll</code> (and <code>libwine.dll</code> '''if you're using 4.5 staging or older builds)''' to the {{P|game}}.
 
−
# Run the game and check <code>3D Acceleration</code> in the game's settings.
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
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  |fan      = true
 
  |fan      = true
 
  |notes    = Fan translation for Steam GOTY, [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1293535279 download].
 
  |notes    = Fan translation for Steam GOTY, [https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1293535279 download].
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Hungarian
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|fan      = true
 +
|notes    = Fan translation, [https://magyaritasok.hu/games/plants-vs-zombies download].
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Hungarian
 +
|interface = hackable
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|fan      = true
 +
|notes    = Fan translation for Steam GOTY, [https://magyaritasok.hu/games/plants-vs-zombies-goty-edition download].
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 305: Line 323:
 
  |fan      = true
 
  |fan      = true
 
  |notes    = Fan translation, [https://web.archive.org/web/20160528202715/http://dl.ironsquad.pl/PlantsVsZombiesPL1.1.exe download].
 
  |notes    = Fan translation, [https://web.archive.org/web/20160528202715/http://dl.ironsquad.pl/PlantsVsZombiesPL1.1.exe download].
 +
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Russian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = false
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|fan      =
 +
|notes    = Official localization by Buka Entertainment; local retail only.<ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.gamer.ru/news/kompaniya-buka-stala-eksklyuzivnym-partnerom-popcap-na-territorii-rossii|title=Official announcement by the company|date=2023-07-25}}</ref>
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 312: Line 338:
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |fan      = true
 
  |fan      = true
−
  |notes    = Fan translation, [https://www.zoneofgames.ru/games/plants_vs_zombies/files/3805.html download].
+
  |notes    = Fan translation for Steam GOTY, [https://www.zoneofgames.ru/games/plants_vs_zombies/files/3805.html download].
 
}}
 
}}
 
{{L10n/switch
 
{{L10n/switch
Line 358: Line 384:
 
==Issues fixed==
 
==Issues fixed==
 
===BASS_ChannelSetAttributes function not found in bass.dll===
 
===BASS_ChannelSetAttributes function not found in bass.dll===
−
{{Fixbox|description=Rename bass.dll|ref=<ref>[https://steamcommunity.com/app/3590/discussions/0/630802343973290024/#c540736966035264125 Error with bass.dll :: Plants vs. Zombies: Game of the Year General Discussions]</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150424063937/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2345724 Bass.dll error - Steam Users' Forums] (retrieved)</ref><ref>[http://www.un4seen.com/forum/?topic=4228.0 Popcap framework and BASS 2.1 compatibility issue.]</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Rename bass.dll|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/3590/discussions/0/630802343973290024/#c540736966035264125|title=Error with bass.dll :: Plants vs. Zombies: Game of the Year General Discussions|date=May 2023}}</ref><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150424063937/http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2345724 Bass.dll error - Steam Users' Forums] (retrieved)</ref><ref>{{Refurl|url=http://www.un4seen.com/forum/?topic=4228.0|title=Popcap framework and BASS 2.1 compatibility issue.|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 
# Rename any <code>bass.dll</code> file(s) found in these locations: <code>{{p|windir}}\</code>, <code>{{p|windir}}\System32\</code> and <code>{{p|windir}}\SysWow64\</code>
 
# Rename any <code>bass.dll</code> file(s) found in these locations: <code>{{p|windir}}\</code>, <code>{{p|windir}}\System32\</code> and <code>{{p|windir}}\SysWow64\</code>
 
# If this causes issues with the program that installed <code>bass.dll</code> there, rename the file(s) back to <code>bass.dll</code>
 
# If this causes issues with the program that installed <code>bass.dll</code> there, rename the file(s) back to <code>bass.dll</code>
Line 391: Line 417:
 
# Extract the files from the .zip into the <code>{{p|game}}</code>.
 
# Extract the files from the .zip into the <code>{{p|game}}</code>.
 
# Run the Install.bat as administrator to apply the fix.
 
# Run the Install.bat as administrator to apply the fix.
−
}}
 
−
{{Fixbox|description=Use [[#Anti-aliasing (AA)|WineD3D]]|ref=|fix=
 
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 398: Line 422:
 
{{ii}} This is an error that occurs when the save game data is corrupted, likely as a result of syncing saves between Windows and OS X and launching the game.
 
{{ii}} This is an error that occurs when the save game data is corrupted, likely as a result of syncing saves between Windows and OS X and launching the game.
  
−
{{Fixbox|description=Use [https://github.com/petronny/pvz_converter pvz converter] to convert saves|ref=<ref>[https://steamcommunity.com/app/3590/discussions/0/34095131905745057/ Fix: Crash on startup, Corrupt save (Mac) :: Plants vs. Zombies: Game of the Year General Discussions]</ref>|fix=
+
{{Fixbox|description=Use [https://github.com/petronny/pvz_converter pvz converter] to convert saves|ref=<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/3590/discussions/0/34095131905745057/|title=Fix: Crash on startup, Corrupt save (Mac) :: Plants vs. Zombies: Game of the Year General Discussions|date=May 2023}}</ref>|fix=
 
}}
 
}}
  
Line 466: Line 490:
  
 
===Cosmetic-based tweaks===
 
===Cosmetic-based tweaks===
−
{{ii}} Type these during gameplay<ref>[https://www.gamesradar.com/plants-vs-zombies/cheats/ Plants vs Zombies Cheats]</ref>
+
{{ii}} Type these during gameplay<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/plants-vs-zombies/cheats/|title=Plants vs Zombies Cheats|date=May 2023}}</ref>
  
 
{{Standard table|Cheat|Description|collapsed=no|content=
 
{{Standard table|Cheat|Description|collapsed=no|content=

Revision as of 15:06, 3 March 2024

Plants vs. Zombies
Plants vs. Zombies cover
Developers
PopCap Games
Publishers
PopCap Games
Electronic Arts
Russia Buka Entertainment
Engines
PopCap Games Framework
Release dates
Windows May 5, 2009
macOS (OS X) May 5, 2009
Reception
Metacritic 87
IGDB 85
Taxonomy
Monetization One-time game purchase, Subscription gaming service
Microtransactions None
Modes Singleplayer
Pacing Real-time
Perspectives Bird's-eye view
Controls Point and select
Genres Tower defense, Farming
Art styles Cartoon
Themes Fantasy, Zombies, Contemporary
Series Plants vs. Zombies
Icon overlay.png
Plants vs. Zombies on HowLongToBeat
Plants vs. Zombies on IGDB
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Plants vs. Zombies guide on StrategyWiki
Plants vs. Zombies on MobyGames
Plants vs. Zombies on Wikipedia
Icon overlay.png
Icon overlay.png
Plants vs. Zombies
Plants vs. Zombies 2009
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2014
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 2016
Plants vs. Zombies: Battle for Neighborville 2019

Warnings

The macOS (OS X) version of this game does not work on macOS Catalina (version 10.15) or later due to the removal of support for 32-bit-only apps.

Key points

For Windows 8 and later: use WineD3D to fix low frame rate issues.
Lacks improvements from home console and mobile versions,[1] including native widescreen, improved sprite resolutions, and controller support.

General information

Official website (archived)
Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source DRM Notes Keys OS
Retail
Disc check (requires the CD/DVD in the drive to play)
 Regular and Game of the Year Edition. Requires a disc check every once in a while.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Microsoft Store
Microsoft Store
Origin
 Game of the Year Edition. Included exclusively with Xbox Game Pass for PC as part of its version of EA Play.
Windows
Origin
Origin
 Game of the Year Edition. Included with EA Play.
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Steam
Icon overlay.png
 Game of the Year Edition. Included with EA Play (Steam).
Windows
macOS (OS X)
Games for Windows Marketplace (unavailable)
Icon overlay.png
 [2]
Windows

Essential improvements

Enable 3D acceleration with WineD3D

Most modern graphics cards won't be able to enable 3D acceleration in the game options.
Enabling 3D acceleration can fix low frame rate issues.
Use WineD3D[3]
  1. Download WineD3D for Windows version "4.5 staging" from this link (direct download). You can also go to Federico Dossena's website, access "Older versions archive" and download it from there.
  2. Open the ZIP archive and extract ddraw.dll, libwine.dll, and wined3d.dll to C:\ProgramData\PopCap Games\PlantsVsZombies.
  3. Open the game, and open the options menu. 3D acceleration should be enabled; if it is not, enable it.
If it is still not possible to enable 3D acceleration: try extracting the files to <path-to-game> as well.

Game data

Configuration file(s) location

System Location
Windows HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PopCap\PlantsVsZombies\
Microsoft Store
macOS (OS X)
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/3590/pfx/[Note 1]

Save game data location

System Location
Windows %PROGRAMDATA%/PopCap Games/PlantsVsZombies/userdata/[Note 2]
Origin %PROGRAMDATA%/PopCap Games/PlantsVsZombies/userdata/
Steam <Steam-folder>/userdata/<user-id>/3590/remote/
macOS (OS X) $HOME/Library/Application Support/PopCap/PlantsVsZombiesMac/userdata/
Steam Play (Linux) <SteamLibrary-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/3590/pfx/[Note 1]
Use pvz converter to convert saves between Windows and OS X versions.

Save game cloud syncing

System Native Notes
Origin
Steam Cloud
Does not sync between Windows and Mac due to saves being incompatible across platforms.
Xbox Cloud

Video

In-game options menu.
In-game options menu.

Graphics feature State WSGF Notes
Widescreen resolution
 
 800x600 by default.
Multi-monitor
 
Ultra-widescreen
 
4K Ultra HD
 
Field of view (FOV)
Windowed
Can also be toggled with Alt+↵ Enter.
Borderless fullscreen windowed
See Borderless fullscreen windowed.
Anisotropic filtering (AF)
Anti-aliasing (AA)
See Anti-aliasing (AA).
Vertical sync (Vsync)
Set HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\PopCap\PlantsVsZombies\WaitForVSync to 1
60 FPS
For Windows 8 and later use the low frame rate fix.
120+ FPS
Frame rate is capped at 100 FPS.
High dynamic range display (HDR)
See the glossary page for potential alternatives.

Borderless fullscreen windowed

The low frame rate fix isn't needed with dgVoodoo; if applicable, you should uninstall the low frame rate fix first.
Use borderless hack[4]
  1. Download dgVoodoo 2 (v2.73 or later).
  2. Copy dgVoodoo.conf, dgVoodooCpl.exe, \MS\x86\D3DImm.dll, and \MS\x86\DDraw.dll to <path-to-game>.
  3. Open dgVoodoo.conf with a text editor.
  4. Find FullscreenAttributes = under [GeneralExt].
  5. Append fake to it, so it looks like FullscreenAttributes = fake.
  6. Change DisableAltEnterToToggleScreenMode = true to DisableAltEnterToToggleScreenMode = false under [DirectX].
  7. Save changes. The game should run in borderless fullscreen now.
  8. If the game doesn't run in borderless fullscreen run it in Windows XP (Service Pack 2) compatibility mode.

Input

Keyboard and mouse State Notes
Remapping
Gameplay does not use a keyboard at all.
Mouse acceleration
Mouse sensitivity
Mouse input in menus
Mouse Y-axis inversion
Controller
Controller support

Audio

Audio feature State Notes
Separate volume controls
Surround sound
Stereo only.
Subtitles
All in-game dialogues are mumbling and always subtitled. The music video played at the end of the game has English voice acting and its lyrics is always displayed.
Closed captions
Mute on focus lost
Royalty free audio

Localizations

Language UI Audio Sub Notes
English
French
Origin only.
French
Fan translation for Steam GOTY, download.
German
Origin only.
German
Fan translation for Steam GOTY, download.
Hungarian
Fan translation, download.
Hungarian
Fan translation for Steam GOTY, download.
Italian
Origin only.
Italian
Fan translation for Steam GOTY, download.
Polish
Fan translation, download.
Russian
Official localization by Buka Entertainment; local retail only.[5]
Russian
Fan translation for Steam GOTY, download.
Slovak
Fan translation, download.
Brazilian Portuguese
Fan translation, download.
Spanish
Origin only.
Latin American Spanish
Origin only.
Spanish
Fan translation for Steam GOTY, download.

Issues fixed

BASS_ChannelSetAttributes function not found in bass.dll

Rename bass.dll[6][7][8]
  1. Rename any bass.dll file(s) found in these locations: %WINDIR%\, %WINDIR%\System32\ and %WINDIR%\SysWow64\
  2. If this causes issues with the program that installed bass.dll there, rename the file(s) back to bass.dll
Run the game in compatibility mode for Windows XP[citation needed]

Unable to load Steam.dll

Verify integrity of game cache[citation needed]
Run the game in compatibility mode for Windows XP SP2, and as an administrator[citation needed]
Delete/rename Steam.dll[citation needed]
  1. Exit the Steam client.
  2. Go to the Steam installation folder.
  3. Delete or rename Steam.dll
  4. Launch the Steam client and let it update.

Invalid Command Line Parameter: -changedir

Add -changedir parameter[citation needed]
  1. Right-click the game in the Steam client and choose Properties.
  2. Click Set Launch Options and add -changedir
  3. Click OK to save the changes.

Low frame rate in fullscreen mode

This game has frame rate issues in fullscreen mode on Windows 8 and later.
Install dgVoodoo 2[4]
Apply the low-framerate fix
  1. Download the low frame rate fix.
  2. Extract the files from the .zip into the <path-to-game>.
  3. Run the Install.bat as administrator to apply the fix.

Error reading user file: Failed reading file

This is an error that occurs when the save game data is corrupted, likely as a result of syncing saves between Windows and OS X and launching the game.
Use pvz converter to convert saves[9]

Completing the Ice Level

Ice Level is one of the 17 hidden mini-games in the Limbo Page.[10] With no zombies (or nearly anything for that matter), you need to hack the game in order to win this level.
Hacking the game manually[11]
  1. Close Plants vs. Zombies if it is open.
  2. Open user1.dat (located here) with a hex editor such as HxD.
  3. Go to offset 0B4, change the data from 00 to 01, and save. The next time when you open the Limbo Page, there should be a trophy mark on the Ice Level button.

Other information

API

Technical specs Supported Notes
DirectDraw 7
OpenGL
OS X only.
Software renderer
ExecutablePPC 32-bit 64-bit Notes
Windows
macOS (OS X)
This 32-bit-only macOS game does not work on macOS Catalina (10.15) or later.

Middleware

Middleware Notes
Audio BASS

Original Dancing Zombie

The design for the Dancing Zombie was changed shortly after the game's release; this fan patch restores the original design for those who prefer it.

Cosmetic-based tweaks

Type these during gameplay[12]
Cheat Description
pinata Showers candy when a zombie dies
trickedout Alternate lawn mower appearance
future Gives zombies futuristic shades
dance Makes the zombies dance
sukhbir Toggles the zombie's "call for brains" sound
daisies Zombies leave small daisies behind when killed
mustache Zombies now have mustaches

System requirements

Windows
Minimum
Operating system (OS) XP
Processor (CPU) 1.2 GHz
System memory (RAM) 512 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 65 MB
Video card (GPU) 128 MB of VRAM
DirectX 8 compatible
macOS (OS X)
Minimum Recommended
Operating system (OS) 10.4.11 10.5.8 - 10.6.x
Processor (CPU) 1.66 GHz Dual Core
System memory (RAM) 1 GB
Hard disk drive (HDD) 50 MB
Video card (GPU) 64 MB of VRAM

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Notes regarding Steam Play (Linux) data:
  2. ↑ When running this game without elevated privileges (Run as administrator option), write operations against a location below %PROGRAMFILES%, %PROGRAMDATA%, or %WINDIR% might be redirected to %LOCALAPPDATA%\VirtualStore on Windows Vista and later (more details).

References