Install the Pixelmon mod for Minecraft: Minecraft 1.21.1 with NeoForge

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Pixelmon is a mod that adds Pokémon to Minecraft. To install it, create a Minecraft 1.21.1 + NeoForge instance in Prism Launcher and download Pixelmon from Modrinth. Prism handles Java and the game files for you.

I installed Pixelmon 9.4.1 with Prism Launcher 11.1.1, from creating the instance to picking a starter Pokémon in a world.

Version requirements

The official Pixelmon website lists the requirements for version 9.4.1. This version is marked as a release on Modrinth, and the website marks it as Recommended. Version 9.4.2, released on October 22, 2026, has the same requirements. The website marks it as Beta, and Modrinth marks it as a release.

Item	Requirement
Minecraft	1.21.1
Mod loader	NeoForge 21.1.248 or later (Pixelmon 9.4.1)
Java	Java 21

The website lists Modrinth, CurseForge, ATLauncher, Technic, and the Pixelmon website as download channels.

Create a 1.21.1 + NeoForge instance

For installing Prism Launcher and signing in with a Microsoft account, see Install Prism Launcher and sign in with a Microsoft account.

In the Prism main window, click “Add Instance”. In the version list at the top, choose “1.21.1”. Under “Mod Loader” at the bottom right, choose “NeoForge”. The NeoForge versions are listed below, with the latest one selected by default, which was 21.1.252 this time. Enter an instance name and click “OK”.

Prism’s New Instance window with 1.21.1 selected in the version list, NeoForge chosen as the mod loader, and NeoForge 21.1.252 selected below

Download Pixelmon from Modrinth

Select the instance you just created and click “Edit” on the right to open the instance window. Switch to “Mods” and click “Download Mods” on the right.

Type Pixelmon in the search box on the “Modrinth” tab. The first result is the mod published by the official Pixelmon account. When you select it, “Version selected:” at the bottom right automatically picks the latest Pixelmon that matches the instance version. It was 9.4.1 when I tested, and the latest on Modrinth now is 9.4.2. Then click “Select mod for download”, then “Review and confirm”, and then “OK” to start the download.

Modrinth tab of Prism’s Download Mods window, with Pixelmon searched and the first result selected, the Pixelmon Reforged description on the right, and the selected version Pixelmon 9.4.1 release

The Pixelmon mod file is about 400 MB. When the download finishes, the Mods page shows 1 installed mod.

The Mods page of the Prism instance window, with 1 mod installed and Pixelmon 9.4.1 in the list

Launch the game and pick a starter

When you click “Launch”, Prism first downloads the game files for Minecraft 1.21.1 and automatically downloads a Java 21 runtime. This time it used Microsoft OpenJDK 21.0.7, so you do not need to install Java yourself.

When loading finishes, the title screen has a new “Pixelmon” button, and NeoForge 21.1.252 shows at the bottom left.

Minecraft title screen with Pixelmon and Discord among the buttons, and Minecraft 1.21.1 and NeoForge 21.1.252 at the bottom left

Click “Singleplayer” and create a new world. Before you enter the world, a starter selection screen appears with the starter Pokémon of each generation. Click one and then click “Begin your adventure!”. The screen text reads “Now, please pick your desired starter Pokémon!”.

Pixelmon starter selection screen with three rows of starters from each generation, Charmander selected, and the Begin your adventure! button below

After you enter the world, the party bar shows on the left side of the screen, and you can press R to send out the first Pokémon in your party. The chat shows “You sent out Charmander!”.