Screenshot 1 of 5. A red-orange sunset over a field with trees, flowers and tall grass, shown with the Back To Basics shader.
What [BTB] Back To Basics works with.
| Platform | Java Edition |
|---|---|
| Loaders | Iris, OptiFine |
| Minecraft versions | 1.17, 1.17.1, 1.18.2, 1.19.4, 1.20.6, 1.21.11, 26.1.2 |
This back to basics shader, shortened to BTB, makes Minecraft Java look like a PS1-era 3D game. It runs on Iris and OptiFine and only needs to be installed on the player's machine. Modrinth files it under the potato performance tier, and HackFight is its creator.
Shader loaders and versions
- Iris and OptiFine: Minecraft 1.17 to 26.1.2.
What the shader changes
BTB simulates the physical limits of early PlayStation hardware rather than adding modern lighting. The result is deliberately rough, which is why it sits in the cursed and vanilla-like categories. The creator also says it lightens the load on your game, though that is a claim, not a measured result.
- Low screen resolution
- Vertex snapping, so geometry jitters the way it did on old hardware
- Affine texture mapping, which warps textures across surfaces
- 16-bit colour overall
- Dithering to hide the reduced palette
- Config options
How to install it
- 1.Install Iris or OptiFine for your Minecraft Java release. The shader install guide covers both.
- 2.Put the pack's .zip file in the shaderpacks folder.
- 3.Open Video Settings, then Shader Packs in Iris, and select BTB.
If the pack does not appear or the screen stays vanilla, this troubleshooting page lists the usual causes.
Trade-offs and mod support
The README lists support for Distant Horizons, so far terrain can take on the same PS1 look. Bedrock is not supported, since Iris and OptiFine are Java mods.
Back To Basics shader trailer
Questions about [BTB] Back To Basics.
5 questions
How do I install Back To Basics?
Install Iris or OptiFine, place the shader's .zip file in the shaderpacks folder, then pick it in the shader menu. In Iris that is Video Settings, then Shader Packs. The pack requires no other mod, and it is only needed on your own machine.
Does Back To Basics work with Iris and OptiFine?
Yes. Both loaders have builds for it, and the newest one requires nothing else. Pick whichever loader matches your setup, then select the pack in the shader menu.
Is Back To Basics good for low-end PCs?
Modrinth tags it as potato tier, and its creator says it optimises the game. Treat that as a rough guide, not a promise, because results depend on your hardware and the other mods you run.
Does Back To Basics work with Distant Horizons?
The README lists Distant Horizons support, so distant terrain can share the PS1 look. You need to install Distant Horizons separately, and it is a different mod from the shader.
Does Back To Basics work on Bedrock?
No. It is a Java shader that needs Iris or OptiFine, and neither of those runs on Bedrock.
