gen1recomp/docs/switch-install.md

Install Gen1Recomp on Nintendo Switch

Every GitHub Release that includes Switch support ships an SD-ready zip: gen1recomp-*-switch.zip. Extract it at the root of your microSD (install or update — same steps), launch with title override, then import your own legal .gb ROM.

You need a console that can run Switch homebrew (custom firmware / hbmenu). This project does not help you set that up. Tracks issue #531. Hardware: OLED validated by the porter; V1 / Erista boot confirmed by the community. Lite and other setups welcome more reports. See switch-development.md for limitations.

Prefer building from source? See switch-build.md.

Port by andrewqsantos. Community testing help from booshankles.

1. Download the zip

1. Open Releases.
2. Download gen1recomp-*-switch.zip for the version you want. (Optional: verify against sha256sums.txt in the same release.)

2. Extract onto the microSD

Extract the zip at the root of the microSD so you get:

sdmc:/switch/gen1recomp/gen1recomp.nro
sdmc:/switch/gen1recomp/pokemon-love2d/imports/
sdmc:/switch/gen1recomp/pokemon-love2d/imports/mods/
sdmc:/switch/gen1recomp/pokemon-love2d/imports/saves/...

Merge folders if your OS asks. Any method works: MTP (DBI → Run MTP responder + a client), direct SD (Hekate UMS or a card reader), or FTP. Exit MTP / unmount / stop FTP cleanly before launching. Step-by-step for macOS, Linux, and Windows: switch-transfer.md.

Updating

Use the same extract/merge. It replaces gen1recomp.nro (and the small help README.txt / INSTALL.txt files). Saves, imported ROMs, mods, and options live under pokemon-love2d/ — do not delete that folder when updating, or you will lose progress.

3. Launch with title override

Applet Mode is not supported for this game (not enough memory).

1. On the Switch HOME menu, highlight any installed title.
2. Hold R and launch that title — this opens hbmenu with full memory (title override).
3. From hbmenu, open gen1recomp.

Do not launch from the Album applet path for normal play.

4. Import your ROM

This project ships no game data. On first launch:

1. Put your own legally obtained Pokémon Red or Blue .gb into switch/gen1recomp/pokemon-love2d/imports/ (the launcher also shows the live save-dir path).
2. Use Scan again on the Red/Blue tab if you add the file after the first open.

5. Import / Export a raw .sav

Continue a cart or PC battery save (or pull a slot off-console) via MTP / SD / FTP — same transfer methods as ROMs. Paths are per game:

Game	Import inbox	Export folder
Red	imports/saves/red/	exports/red/
Blue	imports/saves/blue/	exports/blue/
Yellow	imports/saves/yellow/	exports/yellow/

(Under the save dir pokemon-love2d/ — the zip already creates these folders.)

1. Copy a Gen1 .sav (32 KB) into that game’s inbox under the save dir (switch-transfer.md).
2. With the game’s ROM already imported, open that game’s tab → SAVE FILES → Import save. Only that folder is scanned.
3. A successful import retires the file to *.sav.imported and records its content hash so pressing Import save again does not clone slots. Failed imports leave the original .sav in place.
4. To pull a slot off the console, use Export save, then copy the file from that game’s exports/<game>/ folder via MTP / SD / FTP.

Do not put .sav files into git. Prefer clean copies — some MTP clients create ._*.sav AppleDouble sidecars that are not real saves.

Controls

Gameplay

Control	Action
D-pad / left stick	Move
A	Confirm
B	Cancel
+ (Start)	Start
− (Select)	Select
R (no Select held)	Cycle game speed up
L (no Select held)	Cycle game speed down

Launcher

Control	Action
D-pad / left stick	Move virtual cursor
A	Click at cursor
L / R	Previous / next tab
Start / Select	Play if a ROM is ready; otherwise Choose ROM

System

Control	Action
Hold R on HOME, then open from hbmenu	Title override (full memory)

Community mods (VoxelMod)

Mods install from a zip inbox (same transfer methods as ROMs):

1. Copy a release .zip into the save-dir imports/mods/ path the launcher shows (MTP / SD / FTP — switch-transfer.md).
2. In the launcher, open MODS → Scan again → enable the mod → Play.

Remote FIND MODS / GitHub download stays off on Switch. Do not put mod zips into git.

Example: DramaticShape VoxelMod.

Joy-Con shortcuts (Select + face)

Hold Select (−) and press a face/shoulder button. Without Select, A/B stay normal gameplay confirm/cancel.

Chord	Same as PC key	Typical effect (stock / VoxelMod)
Select + A	2	COLORS
Select + B	3	TILT, or VoxelMod VOXEL pitch
Select + Y	5	GBC FX, or VoxelMod V-GRID
Select + X	6	VoxelMod T-SHIFT
Select + L	7	VoxelMod V-CURVE

3D-BTL (8) and WATER (9) have no Joy-Con chord — use OPTIONS.

VoxelMod: lighter settings on Switch

VoxelMod is visual-only but expensive. If the Switch stutters, open OPTIONS and prefer:

1. WATER → OFF (or SKY; avoid FULL)
2. 3D-BTL → OFF
3. T-SHIFT / V-CURVE / V-GRID → OFF
4. DAYTIME → SYNC (avoid CYCLE)
5. Engine PERFORMANCE → LOW or BALANCED

Full tables, chords vs Options rows, and contributor notes: switch-development.md and switch-development.md.

Prefer building it yourself?

Building the fused NRO (and SD-ready zip) from source is covered in switch-build.md. Copying artifacts and inbox files (MTP / SD / FTP on macOS, Linux, Windows): switch-transfer.md. Status, limitations, and how we tested: switch-development.md.