Android 3D setup guide

Gen1Recomp and VoxelMod Android Guide: Play Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow in 3D

Learn how to play Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow in 3D on Android with Gen1Recomp and VoxelMod. Follow the ROM, mod and Voxel setting steps.

Gen1Recomp and VoxelMod Setup for Android

This guide shows the complete Android process for importing Pokemon Red, Blue or Yellow into Gen1Recomp, adding VoxelMod and turning on the 3D view. The first three steps are similar to the Windows and Mac setup, but Android uses an APK and touch controls.

Step 1: Download the Android Files

Open the Gen1Recomp download page and get these three items:

  1. Gen1Recomp for Android: download the official Android APK for version 0.1.50.
  2. DramaticShapeVoxelMod: download the VoxelMod 1.4.0 ZIP. Keep this file zipped because Gen1Recomp imports the ZIP directly.
  3. Your compatible game file: use your own legally obtained Pokemon Red, Blue or Yellow ROM in .gb or .gbc format. The ROM file must not be inside a ZIP because Import ROM reads only .gb and .gbc files.

Install the Gen1Recomp APK

Open the downloaded APK and follow Android's installation prompt. If Android asks whether the browser or file manager may install this app, review the prompt and allow only the source you used for the official GitHub download. You do not need to disable Play Protect or other device security.

After installation, open Gen1Recomp from your app list.

Step 2: Import Pokemon Red, Blue or Yellow

2.1 Choose the Correct Game Tab

At the top of Gen1Recomp, tap Red, Blue or Yellow. Choose the tab that matches the ROM you are about to import. For example, select Red before importing Pokemon Red.

Gen1Recomp Android launcher with the Pokemon Red game tab selected.
Select the Red, Blue or Yellow tab that matches your Android ROM file.

2.2 Tap Import ROM

The selected tab will show ROM REQUIRED. Tap Import ROM, find your .gb or .gbc file in Android's file picker and select it.

Import ROM button in the Gen1Recomp Android launcher for Pokemon Red.
Tap Import ROM and select an unzipped .gb or .gbc file on Android.

Gen1Recomp will check the file and prepare the game data. If the ROM is rejected, make sure the selected game tab matches the file and check the supported game versions. Renaming an unsupported ROM will not make it compatible.

2.3 Tap the Green Play Button

After a successful import, the status changes to GOOD TO GO and a green button appears, such as Play Red. Tap it once to confirm that the base game opens normally.

Green Play Red button after a ROM is verified in Gen1Recomp on Android.
The green Play button confirms that Gen1Recomp has accepted the selected game.

The game may still look flat at this point. That is normal because VoxelMod has not been added yet.

Step 3: Add VoxelMod to Gen1Recomp

3.1 Open the Mods Page

Return to the Gen1Recomp launcher and tap the nine-dot Mods icon to the right of the Red, Blue and Yellow tabs.

Nine-dot Mods icon in the Gen1Recomp Android launcher.
Tap the nine-dot icon to open the Gen1Recomp Mods page on Android.

3.2 Tap Import mod .zip

On a fresh installation, the page says that no mods are installed. Tap Import mod .zip near the top of the page.

Import mod .zip button on the empty Gen1Recomp Android Mods page.
Tap Import mod .zip and choose the original VoxelMod ZIP.

3.3 Select the VoxelMod ZIP

Find the VoxelMod ZIP, usually in your Downloads folder, and select it. Do not extract the mod first. When the import finishes, Dramatic Shape Voxel Mod appears in the list.

Dramatic Shape Voxel Mod installed in Gen1Recomp on Android.
VoxelMod appears in the Android mod manager after the ZIP is imported.

3.4 Make Sure VoxelMod Is Enabled

The switch on the right side of the mod should be green, and its status should show Ready. Tap the switch if it is off.

Green enabled switch for Dramatic Shape Voxel Mod on Android.
Keep the VoxelMod switch green so the Android 3D graphics remain enabled.

Go back to your game tab and tap the green Play button again.

Step 4: Turn On the 3D View on Android

Android does not provide the keyboard shortcuts used on Windows and Mac. To change the 3D effects on Android, use the touch controls to open the game's Options menu and adjust the Voxel settings there.

4.1 Open the Options Menu

While the game is running, tap the plus-shaped Start button near the bottom of the screen.

Start plus button in Pokemon Red running through Gen1Recomp on Android.
Tap the plus-shaped Start control to open the in-game menu on Android.

After the menu opens, use the touch D-pad to move down until OPTION is highlighted. Then tap the A button to open the Options screen.

Option selected in the Pokemon Red menu on Gen1Recomp for Android.
Choose OPTION from the in-game menu to reach the Android Voxel settings.

4.2 Change the Voxel Setting

Move down to VOXEL and press the right direction on the touch D-pad. The available choices are Off, 15, 35, 50, 75 and Full.

Voxel Full selected in the Gen1Recomp options menu on Android.
Use the right direction to change VOXEL from Off to Full or a numbered 3D preset.
  • Off keeps the classic flat view.
  • 15, 35, 50, 75 and Full are ready-made 3D view presets. Choosing any of them applies the Voxel presentation automatically.

Start with Full for normal 3D play. If you prefer a different camera angle, try 15, 35, 50 and 75 one at a time. These are viewing choices, so use the one that looks best and feels comfortable on your screen.

Compare the Android Voxel Settings

The screenshots below show how the same area changes with each Voxel choice. Every image is shown in full so you can compare the camera depth, map angle and visible distance.

Pokemon Red in the classic flat view with Voxel set to Off on Android.
Voxel Off keeps the classic flat Pokemon Red map on Android.
Pokemon Red 3D map on Android with the Voxel setting at 15.
Voxel 15 adds a light 3D angle to the Pokemon Red map.
Pokemon Red 3D map on Android with the Voxel setting at 35.
Voxel 35 shows a deeper 3D view while keeping the nearby map easy to see.
Pokemon Red 3D map on Android with the Voxel setting at 50.
Voxel 50 increases the camera depth and visible area in Pokemon Red.
Pokemon Red 3D map on Android with the Voxel setting at 75.
Voxel 75 uses a wide 3D perspective with a longer view across the map.
Pokemon Red 3D map on Android with the Voxel setting at Full.
Voxel Full enables the complete 3D presentation for Pokemon Red on Android.

Other Android Settings Worth Checking

SettingWhat it changesSuggested starting point
ColorChanges the game's overall colour style, including classic and more colourful Game Boy Color-style choices.Try each choice and keep the one you prefer.
3D-BTLDraws battles using the 3D presentation.Turn it On if you want 3D battles.
ZoomMoves the view closer or farther away.Start with Fit, then adjust for your screen.
Max FPSLimits the maximum frame rate. A lower limit can reduce the load on slower devices.Keep the default first; lower it only if the game struggles.
Game SpeedChanges how fast the game runs.Use normal speed until the rest of the setup works correctly.
PerformanceProvides Low, Auto, High and Balanced modes.Start with Auto or Balanced. Use Low on a weaker phone; choose High only if your device runs it smoothly.

Change one setting at a time and play for a minute before changing another. This makes it easier to see which option improves or slows down your game.

Quick Fixes for Android Problems

  • The game still looks flat: open Options and make sure VOXEL is not set to Off.
  • VoxelMod is not listed: import the original mod ZIP again. Do not select an extracted folder.
  • VoxelMod is listed but has no effect: make sure its switch is green, then close and reopen the game.
  • Import ROM cannot see the game: remove the ROM from its ZIP first. Import ROM accepts .gb and .gbc files, not ZIP files.
  • The game is slow: try Performance Auto, Balanced or Low, reduce Max FPS, and test with fewer extra effects.
  • The APK will not install: return to the official download, review Android's installation prompt and make sure your device allows installation from that chosen source. Do not disable device security tools.

Check Platforms and Requirements and Known Issues if the problem continues.

Updating Gen1Recomp or VoxelMod

Back up saves before changing versions. Update one project at a time, confirm that the base game still launches, then re-enable and test VoxelMod. Read both release notes because a new base version, mod version or mod conflict can change the result.

Android Guide FAQs

Does Gen1Recomp work on every Android phone?

No universal compatibility is guaranteed. The official APK supports Android, but performance and graphics can differ depending on the device, Android version and GPU.

Should I extract the VoxelMod ZIP on Android?

No. Keep the VoxelMod ZIP compressed and import that ZIP from the Gen1Recomp Mods page.

Why is Pokemon Red, Blue or Yellow still flat after adding VoxelMod?

Open the in-game Options menu and change VOXEL from Off to Full, 15, 35, 50 or 75. Also confirm that the VoxelMod switch is green.

Which Voxel setting is best on Android?

Full is a good first choice for the normal 3D presentation. Try 15, 35, 50 and 75 if you prefer a different camera angle or visible distance.

Official Sources