How to Play Pokemon Red, Blue and Yellow on Nintendo Switch with Gen1Recomp

What You Need Before Starting

The Nintendo Switch build is made for a console that can already run homebrew through custom firmware and the Homebrew Menu. It is not a normal Nintendo eShop installation, and this guide does not cover modifying a console or setting up custom firmware.

You need:

• a Nintendo Switch that can already open the Homebrew Menu;
• a microSD card used by that homebrew setup;
• the official Gen1Recomp Switch ZIP;
• your own compatible Pokemon Red, Blue or Yellow ROM;
• a way to transfer files through a card reader, MTP or FTP.

The official documentation says the porter validated an OLED system and community testing confirmed that the build boots on V1 / Erista hardware. Compatibility with Switch Lite and other setups is not confirmed by that record.

Step 1: Download the Nintendo Switch Package

Open the Gen1Recomp download page and choose Nintendo Switch — Download SD-ready ZIP. For the current release, the file is named gen1recomp-0.1.65-switch.zip.

The button on this website links directly to the asset published in the official Gen1Recomp GitHub release. If you want to check the file before copying it, compare it with sha256sums.txt from the same official release page (opens in a new tab).

Step 2: Extract Gen1Recomp to the microSD Root

Extract the Switch ZIP at the root of the microSD card. Do not place the ZIP itself inside the switch folder and do not add another outer folder. After extraction, the important paths should look like this:

Merge folders if your computer asks. The official guide supports three transfer methods:

• Direct microSD: use a card reader or Hekate USB Mass Storage.
• MTP: use DBI's MTP responder with a compatible computer client.
• FTP: transfer through an FTP setup already configured on the console.

Unmount the card or end the MTP / FTP connection cleanly before launching Gen1Recomp. The official Switch transfer guide (opens in a new tab) provides operating-system-specific transfer details.

Updating an Existing Switch Installation

Updating uses the same extract-and-merge process. The new package replaces gen1recomp.nro and the small help files.

Do not delete the pokemon-love2d folder when updating. Imported games, saves, options and mods are stored there. Back up that folder before a major update or before changing storage methods.

Step 3: Launch Through Title Override

Gen1Recomp needs the full memory available through title override. The smaller Album applet mode is not supported.

1. Return to the Nintendo Switch HOME menu.
2. Highlight an installed title.
3. Hold the R shoulder button and launch that title.
4. Keep holding R until the Homebrew Menu opens in title-override mode.
5. Select gen1recomp from the Homebrew Menu.

Do not start Gen1Recomp through the normal Album applet route. If the application does not appear, recheck that gen1recomp.nro is inside sdmc:/switch/gen1recomp/.

Step 4: Import Pokemon Red, Blue or Yellow

1. Copy your compatible Pokemon Red or Blue .gb file, or Pokemon Yellow .gbc file, into switch/gen1recomp/pokemon-love2d/imports/.
2. Launch Gen1Recomp through title override.
3. Open the tab that matches the game: Red, Blue or Yellow.
4. Choose Scan again on that tab.
5. Wait for Gen1Recomp to verify the ROM by its SHA-1 value and prepare the game.
6. Select Play when the matching game is ready.

All three compatible ROMs can stay in the same imports folder. Scanning checks only the open game tab, so a Red ROM is not imported from the Yellow tab and a Yellow ROM is not imported from the Blue tab.

If a file is rejected, check the game, region and revision on the Supported Games page. Changing the filename does not change an unsupported ROM's hash.

Nintendo Switch Controls

Gameplay Controls

Launcher Controls

Import or Export a Raw Save File

Gen1Recomp keeps separate save inboxes and export folders for Red, Blue and Yellow under pokemon-love2d.

To import a cartridge or PC battery save:

1. Copy a clean 32 KB Gen 1 .sav file into the matching game's import inbox.
2. Confirm that the corresponding ROM has already been imported.
3. Open that game's tab, choose SAVE FILES, then select Import save.
4. After a successful import, Gen1Recomp renames the source to *.sav.imported and records its content hash so the same file is not imported repeatedly.

A failed import leaves the original file in place. Files such as ._name.sav created by some macOS transfer tools are metadata sidecars, not usable save files.

To move a save off the console, use Export save in the same menu and copy the resulting file from the matching exports/red/, exports/blue/ or exports/yellow/ folder.

Install Community Mods on Nintendo Switch

The Switch build imports mods from a local ZIP inbox:

1. Download an installable mod ZIP from its official developer source. The Gen1Recomp Mods directory links to individual repositories and releases.
2. Keep the mod compressed unless its developer gives different instructions.
3. Copy the ZIP into switch/gen1recomp/pokemon-love2d/imports/mods/.
4. Launch Gen1Recomp and open MODS.
5. Choose Scan again, enable the imported mod and select Play.

The remote FIND MODS and GitHub-download functions are disabled on Switch, so mod ZIPs must be transferred through microSD, MTP or FTP. Third-party mods can add their own controls and compatibility requirements; check each mod's README before enabling it.

Joy-Con Display Shortcuts

Hold Select (−) and press the listed button. Without Select held, the normal A and B gameplay controls continue to work.

Performance and Troubleshooting

• If the game stutters with extra effects enabled, open Options → Performance and try Low or Balanced.
• If Gen1Recomp closes or fails to load from Album, relaunch it through title override.
• If no game appears after scanning, confirm that the ROM is in the imports folder and that you selected the matching Red, Blue or Yellow tab.
• If an update appears to remove saves or imports, stop and restore your backup rather than deleting or recreating pokemon-love2d.
• If a mod fails, disable the newest mod first and check its documented Gen1Recomp compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Gen1Recomp run on a Nintendo Switch without homebrew?

No. The Switch package requires a console that can already run custom firmware and the Homebrew Menu. It is not a normal eShop application.

Why should I use title override instead of Album?

Album opens homebrew in applet mode with limited memory. The official Gen1Recomp Switch instructions require title override so the game can use full memory.

Does the Nintendo Switch download include Pokemon Red, Blue or Yellow?

No. The package includes the Gen1Recomp application but no Pokemon ROM or extracted game data. You must import your own compatible game file.

Can I install Gen1Recomp community mods on Switch?

Yes. Copy a documented installable mod ZIP into the local imports/mods/ inbox, scan it from the Gen1Recomp MODS screen and enable it. Remote mod downloads are disabled on Switch.

Official Nintendo Switch Sources

• Gen1Recomp Switch installation document (opens in a new tab)
• Switch file-transfer guide (opens in a new tab)
• Switch status and limitations (opens in a new tab)
• Build the Switch package from source (opens in a new tab)
• Gen1Recomp 0.1.65 release (opens in a new tab)