How to Play Pokémon Red & Blue in 3D Natively on PC (Gen1Recomp Setup)

  • Post last modified:September 14, 2026
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Recompiling 8-bit classics and transforming them into three-dimensional ecosystems used to require years of reverse engineering and manual rework. Today, the modding community has turned this into a practical reality. The process utilizes the Gen1Recomp tool, developed by Brian the Boy (bryanthaboi), combined with the Dramatic Shape voxel mod, allowing you to convert the classic 2D sprites from Pokémon Red, Blue, and Yellow into a dynamic three-dimensional environment.

Below, you will find the complete article featuring all technical specifications, battle rules tables, direct download links for the latest build, and step-by-step setup guides for PC (Windows/Mac/Linux), Android, iOS, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and handheld consoles.

Downloads & Official Project Files

All official project binaries are centralized within the developer’s main repository. Access the latest official release assets via the GitHub link below:

Official Download Page: GitHub Releases – Gen1Recomp v0.1.91

Available Files List by Platform:

  • Windows: gen1recomp-0.1.91-windows.zip
  • Android: gen1recomp-0.1.91-android.apk
  • iOS: gen1recomp++-0.1.91-ios.ipa
  • macOS: gen1recomp-0.1.91-macos.zip
  • Linux (x86_64): gen1recomp-0.1.91-linux.zip
  • Linux ARM64 (Raspberry Pi / SBCs): gen1recomp-0.1.91-linux-arm64.AppImage
  • Nintendo Switch: gen1recomp-0.1.91-switch.zip
  • Xbox (One / Series – Dev Mode): gen1recomp-0.1.91-xbox-uwp.zip
  • Anbernic RG34XXSP (Stock OS 64-bit MOD): gen1recomp-0.1.91-rg34xxsp-stockos64-mod.zip
  • Handheld Devices (PortMaster): gen1recomp-0.1.91-sbc-portmaster.zip
  • Universal LÖVE2D Package: gen1recomp-0.1.91.love
  • Integrity Verification: sha256sums.txt
  • Source Code: Source code (.zip) / Source code (.tar.gz)

What is Gen1Recomp and How Does It Work?

Gen1Recomp is not an emulator, does not transpile assembly at runtime, and does not download decompiled assets. It operates as a native game engine that uses the original ROM exclusively for input game data (assets).

  • Verification and Security: The original ROM (1 MiB for Gen 1 or 2 MiB for Gen 2) is verified via SHA-1 hash upon import. The application extracts the required data and creates a private cache. The ROM is never copied into the cache and is cleared from memory immediately. On future launches, the app loads the generated data without prompting for the .gb file again.
  • Accepted SHA-1 Hashes:
    • Red: ea9bcae617fdf159b045185467ae58b2e4a48b9a
    • Blue: d7037c83e1ae5b39bde3c30787637ba1d4c48ce2
    • Yellow: cc7d03262ebfaf2f06772c1a480c7d9d5f4a38e1
    • Gold: d8b8a3600a465308c9953dfa04f0081c05bdcb94 (Gen 2 in PHASE 1: importer and launcher functional; Gen 2 engine under construction).
  • Audio Synthesis: The app package contains no pre-recorded audio tracks or sound effects. Audio is synthesized in real time using small sound channel programs extracted from the verified ROM.
  • Side-by-Side Importing: You can import Red, Blue, Yellow, and Gold simultaneously within the same launcher.
  • Windows Defender Alert: The Windows executable may trigger a false-positive flag (e.g., Trojan:Win32/Wacatac!ml). This occurs because the executable bundles the official LÖVE runtime with the game file without a digital signature. Check the SHA-256 checksums in sha256sums.txt on VirusTotal to verify safety.

Battle Rules: Cartridge Faithful vs. Modern Clean

In the OPTIONS → RULESET menu, players can choose between authentic 1st Gen behaviors and bugs or a modernized, bug-fixed experience:

Feature / Mechanicgen1_faithful (Cartridge Faithful)modern_clean (Modernized)
Accuracy Check (1 in 256)100% accurate moves retain a 1/256 chance to miss.Disabled: 100% accurate moves always land.
Critical Hit CalculationCalculated using species base Speed (not current stat).Unchanged: Retains base Speed as calculation reference.
Stat Stages vs. CriticalsCritical hits ignore stat modifiers applied to the attacker.Disabled: Attacker stat stages scale critical hit damage.
Focus Energy GlitchReduces critical hit chance to 1/4 instead of quadrupling it.Fixed: Increases critical hit rate as originally intended.
Enemy PPEnemy AI has infinite PP and never uses Struggle.Fixed: Enemies consume PP and execute Struggle at 0 PP.
Hyper Beam RechargeSkips recharge turn if the target is knocked out (KO).Fixed: Always mandates recharge turn (Gen 2+ standard).

General Prerequisites

Before starting the setup on any platform, make sure you have:

  • Original Game ROM: A legally dumped .gb or .gbc file of Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, or Gold (US version).
  • Gen1Recomp Binary: The specific archive or installer for your target OS (downloaded from the official bryanthaboi repository).
  • 3D Dramatic Shape Mod: The .zip archive of the Voxel Dramatic Shape mod (sourced from the developer’s GitHub; do not extract this archive).

PC Setup Guide (Windows / macOS / Linux)

  1. Download and Extract: Download the package corresponding to your operating system (gen1recomp-0.1.91-windows.zip, gen1recomp-0.1.91-macos.zip, or gen1recomp-0.1.91-linux.zip) and extract its contents.
  2. Provide the ROM: Place your .gb ROM file inside the program folder or drag-and-drop it directly into the application window upon opening.
  3. Run the Launcher: Launch the Gen1Recomp executable. The launcher auto-detects the ROM. Click “Import detected ROM” to build the native port.
  4. Install the 3D Mod:
    • In the Gen1Recomp launcher menu, open Options (or press F10 to open the mod manager) and click “Import mod.zip”.
    • Select the unextracted Dramatic Shape.zip file.
  5. Enable 3D Voxels: Launch the game via the launcher. Once loaded, enter the mod options menu (or press Start) to toggle Voxel / Voxil Mode.

Pro-Tip — Portable Mode (USB Drive):

To retain save files and caches within the game folder (ideal for USB drives), create an empty text file named portable.txt alongside the executable (gen1recomp.exe). This forces save.lua, options.lua, and the data/generated cache to store locally without writing to the OS user directory.

Android Setup Guide

  1. Install the App: Download gen1recomp-0.1.91-android.apk and install it on your device.
  2. Import the ROM: Open the app, grant the requested storage permissions, and select your Pokémon .gb file.
  3. Import the 3D Mod:
    • Tap the options menu icon (three dots) inside the app launcher.
    • Select “Import mod.zip” and choose the Dramatic Shape.zip archive.
  4. Activate 3D Graphics: Boot the game, open the native mod options menu, and switch the visual style to Voxel. The environment will immediately render in 3D.

Cross-Platform Setup Guides

iOS Setup Guide (iPhone / iPad)

Because the application is not available on the official App Store, installation requires sideloading:

  1. Download the IPA: Obtain the gen1recomp++-0.1.91-ios.ipa file.
  2. Sideload to Device: Use AltStore, SideStore, or Sideloadly via PC or Mac to sign and install the app package on your iOS device.
  3. Import Assets: Open the application, grant storage permissions, and import both your ROM .gb file and the Dramatic Shape.zip mod through the built-in file selector.

Xbox Setup Guide (Xbox One / Series S / Series X)

Requires gen1recomp-0.1.91-xbox-uwp.zip and an Xbox console configured in Developer Mode.

Option 1: External Storage Setup (USB Drive)

  1. Extract the gen1recomp-0.1.91-xbox-uwp.zip archive on your PC.
  2. Open the Xbox Device Portal in your PC browser, then deploy the .msix file along with the packages located in the Dependencies directory.
  3. Transfer your legitimate ROMs and mod .zip files onto a USB drive and connect it to your Xbox console.
  4. Launch Gen1Recomp on Xbox, select Import ROM or Import Mod, and navigate using the console’s file picker.

Option 2: Internal Storage Setup

  1. On your PC, create a folder named baseroms and place your .gb ROMs inside. Compress this folder into a .zip file.
  2. Boot Gen1Recomp on your Xbox once to initialize internal local directories, then close the app.
  3. Access the Xbox Device Portal via browser and upload your compressed archive to:PlaintextGen1Recomp/LocalState/pokemon-love2d/
  4. Confirm extraction within the portal.
  5. Relaunch Gen1Recomp on your Xbox. The launcher will automatically detect the internal ROM.

Nintendo Switch Setup Guide (Homebrew)

  1. Download the Package: Get gen1recomp-0.1.91-switch.zip.
  2. Extract Files: Unpack all contents directly onto the root directory of your microSD card.
  3. Launch via Homebrew: Open the application through the Homebrew Menu (Title-Override mode is strongly recommended to allocate full RAM resources).
  4. Import ROM & Mod: Use Joy-Con inputs to import the .gb ROM and Dramatic Shape.zip mod directly within the app interface.

Linux ARM64 Setup Guide (Raspberry Pi 4/5 & Linux Handhelds)

  1. Download Binary: Obtain the gen1recomp-0.1.91-linux-arm64.AppImage executable.
  2. Grant Execution Permissions: Open your terminal inside the download directory and run:Bashchmod +x gen1recomp-0.1.91-linux-arm64.AppImage
  3. Run the Application: Execute the binary via terminal or double-click in your desktop environment:Bash./gen1recomp-0.1.91-linux-arm64.AppImage Fully compatible with complete desktop sessions, Wayland compositors, or headless KMSDRM interfaces.

Retro Handheld Consoles Setup (RG34XXSP / PortMaster)

  1. Select Package: Download the appropriate build for your firmware:
    • gen1recomp-0.1.91-rg34xxsp-stockos64-mod.zip (Anbernic RG34XXSP on Stock OS 64-bit)
    • gen1recomp-0.1.91-sbc-portmaster.zip (PortMaster ecosystem)
  2. Transfer Files: Copy the extracted contents to the Ports or ROMs partition on your microSD card.
  3. Optimize Performance: In-game, navigate to OPTIONS → PERFORMANCE and toggle the preset to LOW or BALANCED to preserve battery life and lock smooth frame rates.

Controls, Hotkeys & Performance Settings

Default Controls & Keybindings

All inputs can be completely remapped inside OPTIONS → CONTROLS.

ActionKeyboard InputController Input
MovementArrow Keys / W A S DD-Pad / Left Analog
A ButtonZ / Enter / SpaceA Button
B ButtonX / BackspaceB Button
StartEscapeStart
SelectTab / ShiftBack / Select

Hotkeys

  • - / = or Mouse Wheel: Map Zoom Out / Zoom In
  • 1: Toggle Game Speed (Controller: R2 accelerates, L2 decelerates)
  • 2: Cycle Color Palettes
  • 3: Cycle Camera Tilt / 3D Angle
  • 4: Cycle Zoom Levels
  • 5: Toggle Game Boy Color FX (GBC FX)
  • F1 / F2: Save State / Load State
  • F10: Toggle In-Game Mod Manager

Performance Options (OPTIONS → PERFORMANCE)

  • HIGH: Unlocks all 3D features, dynamic tilt, and visual effects (Default for Desktop PCs).
  • BALANCED: Disables dynamic 3D camera tilt and GBC FX (Default for Mobile Devices).
  • LOW: Disables dynamic zoom and caps FPS (Recommended for low-power ARM Retro Handhelds).
  • AUTO: Automatically sets rendering parameters based on detected system hardware.

Key Highlight Features

  • Local Multiplayer Link: Access START > LINK to establish a direct local network connection (UDP) between two running instances for trades and PvP battles.
  • External Save Editor: Modify Pokédex entries, inventory items, PC boxes, and Pokémon stats by directly editing the plain-text .lua save files.
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