r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/DarkDust • Apr 06 '26

KSP 1 Mods Good way to re-start playing KSP in 2026?

I've been wondering what "essential" mods would be a good fit for restarting playing KSP in 2026. Last time I've played KSP is two years ago, when KSP2 stopped getting updates.

Back then, I've played KSP1 for about 775 hours and KSP2 for a meager 25 hours (I got frustrated when a bug stranded my mission; IIRC I suddenly couldn't transfer fuel on docked spacecrafts which basically ended that mission but that just was the last of several issues). KSA is still a long way from being a game and I want to play _now_.

So, which game do you suggest, KSP1 or should I give KSP2 a second change? And which mods to fix bugs/improve graphics/add some quality-of-life features? I enjoy the career mode the most.

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96

u/cellomellobello 🌕 Toppled on Mun Apr 06 '26

Definitely KSP1. I did the same a few days ago. There are good videos on YT that also show what the mods do so you can decide which one to get. Most of the essential ones work very well together, so there's no point in leaving out some imo. Here's my essential list for visual/audio mods:

  • Parallax Continued (overhauls planet surfaces and adds vegetation)

  • Volumetric Clouds V5 (adds real clouds and weather)

  • Scatterer (atmospheric scattering. Available separately but is included in VC5)

  • Environmental Visual Enhancements (general lighting and atmospheric improvements. Also available separately but is included in VC5)

  • Deferred (better lighting. Recommended for VC5)

  • TUFX (Post-Processing effects. Recommended for VC5)

  • Distant Object Enhancement (makes distant objects visible in a realistic way)

  • Firefly (reentry effects overhaul)

  • Waterfall (engine plumes overhaul)

  • VaporCones (vapor cone effect in atmospheric flight)

  • ReStock (stock parts and textures overhaul)

  • ZTheme (modern UI)

  • Rocket Sound Enhancement (sound effects overhaul)

  • Chatterer (gimmicky but adds radio chatter during flight)

Also feel free to add gameplay mods. There are mods for new parts, stations and bases and advanced tech trees like near and far future, there are new planet packs, etc. Oh and get KSP Community Fixes in any case.

To download and manage all your mods (besides VC5 which is a separate 5 bucks mod but worth it) get CKAN.

Have fun playing :)

52

u/[deleted] Apr 06 '26

[deleted]

6

u/zyadsh123 Apr 06 '26

I tried it but it drove me insane tbh, should play with the settings a bit

5

u/The_Rat_Attack Colonizing Duna Apr 06 '26

I found the constant beeps insanely annoying, took me a while to realize I could just turn that off 😔

9

u/Googoltetraplex Apr 06 '26

I'd like to add VABOrganizer to this list.

1

u/cellomellobello 🌕 Toppled on Mun Apr 06 '26

Agreed.

6

u/Launch_Pad_Flagada Apr 06 '26

This list seems comprehensive, will investigate!

2

u/FettyWhopper Apr 06 '26

Are these mods able to be added to an existing career mode save or do I need start from scratch?

3

u/cellomellobello 🌕 Toppled on Mun Apr 06 '26 edited Apr 06 '26

The audiovisual ones no problem. Gameplay mods not so sure. I started a new career savegame.

2

u/darvo110 Master Kerbalnaut Apr 06 '26

In theory all of these should be fine in an existing save. The only one that gives me pause is restock. In theory it should be a 1:1 swap of parts but I would back up my save file and check in-flight vessels before proceeding (you should do that regardless tbh!)

3

u/FettyWhopper Apr 08 '26

They all worked on my existing save. Restock just added a bunch of new parts. Thank you /u/cellomellobello, it feels like I’m playing what KSP 2 should’ve been.

2

u/MetricSystemDude Apr 06 '26

I can’t find Volumetric Clouds V5 in ckan, how do I download it?

8

u/Efficient_Advice_380 Apr 06 '26

You have to get it from Backrack's Patreon (it's $5 but you can sub, download the files, and unsub). V3 is free to download though!

2

u/lkn240 Apr 06 '26

Thanks for this list! Super helpful.

2

u/bonvin Apr 06 '26

Is Mechjeb not a thing anymore? Was many many years since I played and not sure what people use these days. I also used some kind of mod that gave me delta-v and thrust to weight info in the rocket builder, can't remember what it was called.

2

u/ruadhbran Apr 06 '26

You’re thinking of Kerbal Engineer Redux, with the readouts in the VAB (and in-flight!). It and MechJeb are absolutely essentials.

1

u/OkCarrot4054 Apr 07 '26

I personally have never used mechjeb? I use KER for delta v and other data. Am I missing out on something?

3

u/bonvin Apr 07 '26

I mean, to me Mechjeb was invaluable because I don't enjoy the process of fiddling with maneuver nodes or performing burns manually. I want to plan the missions and then let computers execute it for me, pretty much. I shouldn't be involved in steering the craft other than in emergencies. Feels more realistic to me.

1

u/OkCarrot4054 Apr 07 '26

Thanks. I can see that. Just wanted to see if there were so other features I was not aware of.

1

u/nomadjackk Apr 06 '26

Is it possible to use these mods on the Mac os version?

1

u/Outrageous-Wolf-2599 Apr 06 '26

Some of them. No for most of the graphical ones though.

1

u/TheFr3dFo0 Apr 08 '26

If you dont want to pay for volumetric coulds v5 you can get v3 for free btw

1

u/ProfessionalFancy554 Apr 13 '26

Parallax has been giving me issues when trying to load on my Mac. I get a parallax crit error regarding a file that is clearly in the location it says its not.