How Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow Work in 3D
Gen1Recomp uses a hand-written Lua/LÖVE2D engine to run imported game data from a compatible Pokemon Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver or Crystal ROM. It is different from a traditional Game Boy emulator because it does not execute the original Game Boy program through emulated hardware.
The optional DramaticShapeVoxelMod adds the voxel-style overworld, camera depth, shadows and 3D battle presentation seen in videos online. Gen1Recomp supplies the game engine; VoxelMod changes how the game is displayed. Read Gen1Recomp vs VoxelMod for a focused comparison.
What You Need to Start
- Download the official Gen1Recomp build for your device.
- Import a compatible, user-supplied US ROM for Pokemon Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver or Crystal.
- For 3D Red, Blue or Yellow, download VoxelMod from the preserved version archive and follow the guide for Windows or Mac or the separate Android 3D setup guide.
Gen1Recomp is available from its official GitHub release page. VoxelMod versions are preserved through clearly labelled community archive links because the original repository is no longer available. This website does not host Pokemon ROMs or VoxelMod files.
Gen1Recomp Is Now Gen1Recomp++
Gen1Recomp++ is the expanded Gen1Recomp project. Red, Blue and Yellow remain at its core, while Pokemon Gold, Silver and Crystal now appear alongside them in the same launcher. All three Gen 2 games remain Phase 1 support, and Crystal is explicitly labelled Crystal (Beta) because it is the newest implementation.
Nothing separate needs to be downloaded. The GitHub repository, release tags and package names still use Gen1Recomp, and the engine is still the same hand-written Lua/LÖVE2D recreation. The ++ marks the project's wider scope; it does not mean C++.
Explore Gen1Recomp Community Mods
The community is also building gameplay changes, followers, translations, sprite packs, quests and tools. Visit the Pokemon Gen 1 Mods directory to browse verified individual projects alphabetically and open their original repositories or release pages.
Games Supported by Gen1Recomp
| Game | Documented input | Current project status |
|---|---|---|
| Pokemon Red | Matching 1 MiB US ROM | Supported; VoxelMod 3D guide available |
| Pokemon Blue | Matching 1 MiB US ROM | Supported; VoxelMod 3D guide available |
| Pokemon Yellow | Matching 1 MiB US ROM | Supported; VoxelMod 3D guide available |
| Pokemon Gold | Matching 2 MiB US ROM | Gen 2 Phase 1; engine still under construction |
| Pokemon Silver | Matching 2 MiB US ROM | Gen 2 Phase 1; added as an importable launcher version in v0.2.11 |
| Pokemon Crystal | Matching 2 MiB US ROM, revision 1.0 or 1.1 | Gen 2 Phase 1; launcher labels it Crystal (Beta) |
Gen1Recomp v0.2.57 accepts the canonical US Gold, Silver and Crystal ROMs and keeps them beside the Gen 1 games in the launcher. The v0.2 release line substantially improves Gen 2 battles, menus, saves, events, progression, input and display behavior, but the project still labels all three as Gen 2 Phase 1. Archived VoxelMod support for Gen 2 is not confirmed.
Other regions, revisions and ROM hacks are not confirmed by the current project documentation. See Supported Games for the exact compatibility limits.
What the v0.2 Release Line Adds
Version 0.2.0 introduced the new touch-skin system and desktop Skin Studio. Gen1Recomp can import compatible RetroArch overlays and Delta skins, use different layouts and pressed-button art, detect a screen area from bezel artwork, and export edited skins. The v0.2 releases also build on earlier additions from v0.1.84–v0.1.99, including stronger mod dependency and permission checks, Gold save-editor support, save-slot recovery, patch notes, an optional widescreen battle layout and companion displays.
Later v0.2 updates added launcher Safe Mode and issue reporting, improved Android shortcuts and return-to-launcher behavior, added Pokemon Silver, improved save sync between desktop, Steam Deck and iOS, and fixed a large set of Gen 1 and Gen 2 gameplay and presentation differences. Versions 0.2.16–0.2.24 added more mobile and Skin Studio fixes, custom carts, responsive mod-index browsing and Pokemon Crystal support for both accepted US revisions. Versions 0.2.25–0.2.40 added the Online launcher, Linux AppImage and Flatpak packages, Gen 2 cartridge-save conversion, one-click mod updating, game filters, new touch and controller controls, and improved display synchronization.
Versions 0.2.41–0.2.57 add mobile launch URLs, direct custom-cart launch, iOS Home Screen entries, cart-aware bulk updates, broader translation routing, a mod API for previewing effective wild encounters and the Logic Clock timing option. They also improve handheld performance, save export, Android touch controls and image export, display pacing, audio and shaders while correcting another large set of Gen 1, Gen 2 and Crystal-specific gameplay and presentation differences. Version 0.2.57 specifically fixes custom touch-skin and overlay crashes, camera and menu state, Gen 1 events and presentation, and several Gold, Silver and Crystal intro, HUD, battle, transition and progression problems. Version 0.2.57 is the current cumulative build.
Online Battles, Tournaments and Trades
Gen1Recomp 0.2.57 has an Online launcher tab for hosting or joining battles, watching live matches, running or spectating tournaments, and trading Pokemon between save files. Online rooms identify the game, engine version and rules they use. A room based on a custom cart requires both players to have the same sealed cart installed.
The original in-game Link menu remains the local-network option. It is separate from the newer Online launcher service.
Device and Control Information
Official Gen1Recomp packages are available for Windows, macOS, Linux x86_64 AppImage, Linux Flatpak, Linux ARM64 AppImage, Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch homebrew, Xbox UWP, Anbernic RG34XXSP and compatible ARM Linux SBC / PortMaster setups. Package availability does not guarantee that every device or graphics configuration will run VoxelMod equally well. Check Platforms and Requirements before downloading for a mobile device, console or handheld.
Nintendo Switch users can follow the complete Gen1Recomp Switch setup guide for installation, title override, ROM import, saves, controls and community mods.
For keyboard, controller, save, load and mod-manager shortcuts, use the Keys and Hotkeys guide.
Common Questions
Do I need a different 3D mod for each game?
No. The same VoxelMod setup works with the supported Red, Blue and Yellow imports.
Is VoxelMod required to use Gen1Recomp?
No. VoxelMod is optional. Gen1Recomp can run without the 3D presentation mod.
Where can I check current releases or reported problems?
Use Project Status for release information, Known Issues for current limitations, and VoxelMod Download for preserved versions.
Official Project Sources
- Gen1Recomp official repository (opens in a new tab)
- Gen1Recomp++ official v0.2.57 logo (opens in a new tab)
- Gen1Recomp v0.2.57 release notes (opens in a new tab)
- Gen1Recomp new features (opens in a new tab)
- Touch skins and Skin Studio (opens in a new tab)
- Third-party VoxelMod preservation copy (opens in a new tab)