Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II

Star Wars: Jedi Knight
Subseries of Star Wars
Star Wars: Dark Forces	1995
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Dark Forces II	1997
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Mysteries of the Sith	1998
Star Wars: Jedi Knight II - Jedi Outcast	2002
Star Wars: Jedi Knight - Jedi Academy	2003
Star Wars: Dark Forces Remaster	2024

Key points

Running the game on modern Windows may require multiple steps and workarounds. See Essential improvements and Issues fixed.

Installer is 16-bit only. Use the Alternate installer for 64-bit versions of Windows.

General information

JKDF2.COM - Extensive troubleshooting guide for Jedi Knight and Mysteries of the Sith

JK Hub - Editing Hub for Jedi Knight and Mysteries of the Sith

Mod DB - Archive of modifications for Jedi Knight

GOG.com Community Discussions for game series

GOG.com Support Page

Steam Community Discussions

Availability

Source	DRM	Notes	Keys	OS
Retail		Disc check can be skipped with this
GamersGate

GOG.com		Includes Star Wars: Jedi Knight – Mysteries of the Sith
Green Man Gaming
Humble Store
Steam

DLC and expansion packs

Name	Notes
Mysteries of the Sith	Retail requires base game; digital distribution version is a standalone title.^[1]^[2]

Version differences

The GOG.com and Steam versions have been patched for compatibility and include working music.^[3]^[4]

Essential improvements

In-game gameplay settings.

Alternate installer

Allows the game to be installed from the original CD on 64-bit systems.

Patches

Latest official patch

Updates the game to version 1.01 and fixes some joystick and lockup issues.

Only for retail (CD) release. Use the Unofficial Patch for digital re-releases.

Unofficial patch

Includes patch v1.01 and adds compatibility for modern Windows, mod support and team chat in multiplayer.

For digital releases, use the pre-patched executable.

For the original CD release, use the pre-patched executable or the original Unofficial Patch, which requires the original, installed-from-CD executable.^[5]

Remove CD check

Copy JK_.CD^{[citation needed]}
Download this or copy `Gamedata\Resource\JK_.CD` from the CD to `<path-to-game>\Resource`.

Skip intro videos

Delete/rename 01-02A.SMK^[6]
Go to `<path-to-game>\Resource\VIDEO\` Delete or rename `01-02A.SMK`.

Higher quality music

Replace the music tracks with higher quality ones ripped from the original CD.

Replace .ogg files^[7]
Download the .ogg track files. Copy the *.ogg files to `<path-to-game>\MUSIC\`, overwriting any existing files.

Requires the music wrapper (winmm.dll) to be in the installation folder.

Can be combined with the wrapper to allow the retail CD release to play music without the CD.

Higher quality graphics

Before and after the High Detail Mod.

Make the game always use the highest quality textures and models, instead of using lower qualities the further away they are (and leading to unsightly transitions).

Install the High Detail Mod^[8]
Download and extract the High Detail Mod. Run the installer or copy the files manually.

Doesn't add or replace any textures or models.

Can be used alone or in conjunction with other texture/model mods.

Game data

In-game general settings.

Configuration file(s) location

Template:Game data/row

System	Location
Steam Play (Linux)	<Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/32380/pfx/^{[Note 1]}

Save game data location

Template:Game data/row

System	Location
Steam Play (Linux)	<Steam-folder>/steamapps/compatdata/32380/pfx/^{[Note 1]}

Save game cloud syncing

System	Native	Notes
GOG Galaxy
Steam Cloud

Video settings

In-game video settings.

In-game advanced video settings (only accessible via the -displayconfig command line argument).

Template:Video settings

Input settings

In-game general control settings.

In-game keyboard settings.

In-game mouse settings.

In-game joystick settings.

Template:Input settings

Mouse Wheel Rebinding

The mouse wheel can normally only be bound to a few movement actions, and cannot for example be used to switch between force powers or weapons.

Install mouse wheel mod
Download 'wheelthingy' from JK Hub Extract files to `<path-to-game>` and run `wheelsetup.exe` to configure which keyboard keys will be activated when you scroll the mouse wheel up and down. Ensure the selected keys are bound to the desired function in the in-game keyboard settings.

Audio settings

In-game audio settings.

Template:Audio settings

Localizations

Language	UI	Audio	Sub	Notes
English
French				There is issue with the second disc of Retail release. It will switch to English voice-over in the cutscenes for no reason.
Italian
Spanish

Network

Multiplayer types

Type	Native	Players	Notes
LAN play		32
Online play		32

Connection types

Type	Native	Notes
Matchmaking
Peer-to-peer
Dedicated
Self-hosting
Direct IP

Ports

Protocol	Port(s) and/or port range(s)
TCP	2300-2400, 47624-47625
UDP	2300-2400, 47624-47625

Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) support status is unknown.

Issues fixed

Game crashes at launch

This issue is present in the original CD release and may also apply to re-releases patched with the Unofficial Patch.

Run the game with the `-windowgui` command line parameter^[9]

(Alternative) Use the dgVoodoo wrapper^{[citation needed]}

(Alternative) Change compatibility settings^[10]
Delete `Jedi.exe` (if it exists) from the installation folder. Change the compatibility settings for `JK.exe` to `Windows XP (Service Pack 3)` and, if using Windows Vista or 7, disable visual themes and desktop composition.

3D acceleration issues

Running the game with 3D acceleration turned on may cause crashes or graphics problems (ex. black screens) on some modern machines.

(DirectX 10+) Use dgVoodoo wrapper^[11]

Download the latest dgVoodoo 2.
Extract dgVoodooCpl.exe, MS\D3DImm.dll and MS\DDraw.dll to your game folder (all three to the root).
Run dgVoodooCpl.exe from your game folder.
Click on the .\ button in the upper right corner of the dgVoodoo Control Panel to set the config folder to the game folder.
Click on the DirectX tab and disable dgVoodoo Watermark near the bottom.

(Optional) For the best image quality, also set Filtering to Force anisotropic 16x and Antialiasing (MSAA) to 8x.

--or--

Download and extract these pre-configured dgVoodoo wrapper files to the installation folder. They're already configured with the watermark disabled, but are an older version.

(DirectX 9 and earlier) Use alternate ddraw.dll wrapper^[11]
Download and extract this ddraw.dll to the installation folder. If that one doesn't work, try this one.

Can't start new game on AMD GPUs

This issue is present in the original CD release and may also apply to releases patched with the Unofficial Patch.

Update to the latest AMD drivers^{[citation needed]}

(Alternative) Use the dgVoodoo wrapper^{[citation needed]}

(Alternative) Apply compatibility fix^[12]
Download the AMD fix. Extract `JK_AMD_FIX\dll\13.1\atiumdag.dll` to the installation folder. Add parameter `-windowgui` to your shortcut's Target.

Black screen during menu

Use -windowgui parameter^[9]
Run the game with the `-windowgui` command line parameter.

Seemingly low framerate or stuttering

The game updates camera movement at only 30 FPS, even though the game runs at 60 FPS. This gives the appearance of poor performance and can be improved by capping the framerate below 48.

Cap FPS^[13]
Use a software that can cap FPS. See Frame rate capping. Set a cap of 47 (or below). The camera should now move at the game's reported frame rate and feel much smoother.

HUD is missing or screen has black border

Change the screen size^{[citation needed]}
Press `-` or `=` to adjust the screen size.

Music issues

Music doesn't play (after exiting the bar) or loop or the volume can't be adjusted.

Add/replace music wrapper^{[citation needed]}

Download this fixed music wrapper.
Extract the .dll files to the installation folder, overwriting any that are already there.
If you don't have a MUSIC subfolder in the installation folder, create one and download the Higher quality music tracks to it. Alternately, if you have an original CD, you can rip the tracks to .ogg files named Track12.ogg to Track32.ogg, yourself.

Works with all releases, even the original CD release.

Disable compatibility settings^[14]

Rename JK.exe to JediKnight.exe (or something else)

--or--

Download this registry file, use a text editor to read the instructions at the top and then double-click on the file to import it.

Either should disable compatibility settings installed by GOG/Steam that interfere with music playback (at least in Windows 10).

FOV and Mipmaps/Level of Detail

Field-of-view is hardcoded to 90° in the game, and level of detail may deteriorate at larger distances while still being noticeable on higher resolution monitors.

Patch FOV to 120 and force highest quality textures/models
Download the IPS patches from this page and apply them over JK.EXE

Miscellaneous fixes

Nvidia profile settings^{[citation needed]}

If the game crashes with an Nvidia GPU, disable the following settings for JK.exe in the Nvidia control panel:

Antialiasing
Texture Antialiasing
Conformant Texture Clamp

Other information

API

Technical specs	Supported	Notes
Direct3D	5
Software renderer

Executable	32-bit	64-bit	Notes
Windows

Middleware

	Middleware	Notes
Cutscenes	Smacker Video Technology

Access advanced display settings menu

Launch the game with the `-displayconfig` parameter^{[citation needed]}

Texture/model enhancements

Jedi Knight Enhanced

This mod replaces models with higher quality ones taken from Jedi Knight: Jedi Outcast. It requires the Unofficial Patch to be installed.

Install the mod^[15]

Download JK_Enhanced.zip (or JKE_8bit.zip if playing with software rendering).
Extract JKE\JKE.GOB to <path-to-game>\Resource.

--or--

Extract JKE\JKE.GOB to <path-to-game>\Mod (create the Mod folder if it doesn't exist).
Add -path Mod to the command line parameters (unless it's already added).

Jedi Knight Retexture Pack

This mod replaces textures with higher quality versions and can be used alone or with Jedi Knight Enhanced. It requires the Unofficial Patch to be installed.

Install the mod^[16]

Download JKR.rar.
Extract JKR.GOB to <path-to-game>\Resource.

--or--

Extract JKR.GOB to <path-to-game>\Mod (create the Mod folder if it doesn't exist).
Add -path Mod to the command line parameters (unless it's already added).

JK HUD Revamp

The original HUD is too small at high resolutions. This mod replaces the default GUI and HUD elements with larger, higher resolution alternatives.

Install the mod^[17]
Download `jkhud.zip` and `jkgui.zip` from JK HUB. Extract the `.gob` file from each .zip into your `<path-to-game>\Mod\` folder (create the folder if it does not exist). Add `-path Mod` to the command line parameters.

Jkhud.zip affects the health and ammo readouts and jkgui.zip affects the force power and item icons.

The larger elements are very different from and not faithful to the original designs.

Windows Essentials Mods Pack

Contains essential mods (fixes, tweaks, enhancements & patches) all in one pack with a video tutorial to install everything in the right order.

Download the mods pack^{[citation needed]}

|fix=

The 1.4 GB download is mostly video tutorial.

System requirements

Windows
	Minimum	Recommended
Operating system (OS)	95
Processor (CPU)	Intel Pentium 90 MHz
System memory (RAM)	16 MB	32 MB
Hard disk drive (HDD)	53 MB	174 MB
Video card (GPU)	DirectX 5 compatible

Notes

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/32380/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (32380) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

References

[Proton_path_note-9] 1.0 ^1.1 File/folder structure within this directory reflects the path(s) listed for Windows and/or Steam game data (use Wine regedit to access Windows registry paths). Games with Steam Cloud support may store data in ~/.steam/steam/userdata/<user-id>/32380/ in addition to or instead of this directory. The app ID (32380) may differ in some cases. Treat backslashes as forward slashes. See the glossary page for details.

[1] Is Mysteries of the Sith standalone here on GOG?, page 1 - Forum - GOG.com

[2] s :: Star Wars - Jedi Knight: Mysteries of the Sith General Discussions

[3] Release: Star Wars™ Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II, page 3 - Forum - GOG.com

[4] Update :: Star Wars Jedi Knight Dark Forces II General Discussions - Steam Community

[5] The JK Unofficial Patch will NOT work if you have the v1.01 version of JK.EXE - JKDF2.com

[6] JK Hub - [Tutorials]

[7] Jedi Knight: Dark Forces 2 Improved Music - GOG.com Community Discussions

[8] High Detail Mod for Jedi Knight DF2 & MotS

[launch-10] 9.0 ^9.1 Issues launching Jedi Knight or Mysteries of the Sith - JKDF2.com

[11] Steam Community - Says to Insert Disk...steam plz..

[dgvoodoo-12] 11.0 ^11.1 3D Acceleration Fixes - DirectX Wrappers - JFDK2.com

[13] AMD Graphics Cards: Will not support Jedi Knight or Mysteries of the Sith UNLESS you use Catalyst 13.1 or PRIOR drivers - JKDF2.com

[14] 30FPS? - Forum - GOG.com

[gog_compat-15] Jedi Knight / MotS Hardware Acceleration Graphic Patches for ALL

[16] JK Hub - Project: Jedi Knight Enhanced

[17] JK Hub - Project: Jedi Knight Retexture Pack

[18] JK Hub - Project: JK HUD Revamp

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[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[Note 1]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

Developers

	LucasArts
Publishers
	LucasArts
	Disney Interactive Studios
Engines
	Sith
Release dates
Windows	September 30, 1997