You've seen them. Those players flying across Forest, changing their gravity, or rocking custom textures that look nothing like the base game. It's frustrating when you're stuck as a plain lava monkey while everyone else is playing a completely different version of the game. Honestly, learning how to get gorilla tag mods is kind of a rite of passage in the community. But it’s also a massive headache if you don't know which files actually work and which ones are just going to get you banned from public lobbies instantly.
Let's get the big reality check out of the way first. You cannot—and I mean absolutely cannot—mod the standalone Quest version of the game easily anymore. Ever since the developers moved to a newer version of Unity, the old "Quest Patcher" methods became a buggy mess that usually just results in a black screen. If you want a stable experience, you’re basically looking at the PCVR route. That means owning the game on Steam and having a PC capable of running it.
Why the PCVR Version is the Only Way to Go
If you’re serious about this, you need the SteamVR version of Gorilla Tag. Why? Because the PC version uses a file structure that is actually accessible. When you play on a Quest 2, 3, or Pro, you’re essentially playing on an Android phone strapped to your face. It's locked down.
On a PC, you have the "BepInEx" folder. This is the holy grail. It’s a plugin framework that lets you "inject" code into the game while it’s running. Without BepInEx, you’re just staring at a bunch of data files you can't touch. Most people think they can just drag and drop a .dll file into a random folder and call it a day. It doesn't work like that. You need a manager to keep everything updated, or the next game update will just wipe your progress.
Getting Started with Monke Mod Manager
This is the gold standard. Created by DeadlyKitten, Monke Mod Manager is a lightweight executable that does the heavy lifting for you. You don't even "install" it in the traditional sense; you just run the .exe and tell it where your Gorilla Tag folder lives. Usually, that's under Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Gorilla Tag.
Once you open it, you’ll see a list of checkboxes. Don't go crazy. If you select everything, your game will likely crash before you even see the main menu. Stick to the essentials first. You need BepInEx. You also probably want Utilla. Utilla is a "dependency" mod. Basically, it’s a tool that other mods use to function, and it also handles the logic of moving you to a modded lobby so you don't get banned for using a long-arm mod in a competitive room.
The Essential Mod List for Beginners
You’re probably looking for the "Mod Menu," right? Most people are. But before you get to the menus, you need the utility stuff that keeps the game from breaking.
- Newtonsoft.Json: It sounds boring, but it’s a data handler. Many cosmetic mods won't load without it.
- TMPLoader: This helps load custom text and UI elements.
- GorillaTagModTemplate: Often required for newer scripts to recognize the game's physics.
Now, for the fun stuff. HauntedModMenu or I've's Menu are popular choices, but they are constantly being updated. You won't find these inside the Monke Mod Manager list because of legal and safety reasons. You have to go to the specific Discord servers (like the Gorilla Tag Modding Discord) to find the latest verified versions.
Be careful here. If you download a menu from a random YouTube link, there is a 90% chance it contains a logger or a virus. Seriously. The modding community is great, but it’s also full of "script kiddies" trying to steal Steam accounts. Only download files ending in .dll and only from trusted Discord communities or GitHub repositories.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Gorilla Tag Mods Running
- Buy Gorilla Tag on Steam. If you only own it on the Meta Store (Oculus PC App), the process is similar, but Steam is much easier to manage.
- Download Monke Mod Manager. Get it from the official GitHub.
- Run the Manager. Point it to your game's
.exefile. - Select your mods. Check BepInEx, Utilla, and GorillaCosmetics.
- Hit "Install/Update." Wait for the status bar at the bottom to say "Install Complete."
- Manual Installs. If you downloaded a specific
.dll(like a menu), go to your Gorilla Tag folder, enterBepInEx, thenplugins. Drop the file there.
If you open the game and nothing happens, check your version. Lemming (the dev) updates the game frequently. Every time there is a patch, it usually breaks the "hooks" the mods use. You'll have to open Monke Mod Manager again and click "Install/Update" to refresh the files. Sometimes, you just have to wait a day or two for the mod creators to catch up.
Dealing with Bans and Shadows
The developers of Gorilla Tag aren't stupid. They know people love mods, but they also have to protect the game for everyone else. If you use a mod that gives you a gameplay advantage—like speed boosts, flight, or teleportation—in a public lobby, the automated reporting system will catch you.
When you have Utilla installed correctly, it should automatically put you in a "Modded" lobby. These are separate from the regular ones. In modded lobbies, anything goes. Everyone is flying. Everyone has long arms. It's chaos, but it's safe chaos. If you bypass this and join a regular lobby with a menu active, expect a 4-week ban. Or worse. Some people get hardware-level bans, meaning they can't play on that specific headset or PC ever again. It's not worth it.
The Quest Standalone Myth
I see people asking about this every single day on Reddit and TikTok. "Can I get mods on Quest 2 without a PC?"
The honest answer is: Kinda, but you probably shouldn't. There used to be a tool called QuestPatcher. It worked by "illegally" modifying the game's APK file. However, Meta (formerly Oculus) has really cracked down on this. It violates their Terms of Service regarding "Modified Applications." Beyond that, the performance on Quest is already stretched thin. Adding mods makes the frame rate tank, which in VR is a fast-track way to get motion sickness.
If you're desperate, you can look into "LemonLoader," which is the Android version of BepInEx. It's incredibly technical, requires you to enable Developer Mode on your Meta account, and frankly, it breaks every time the game updates. If you have any way to access a PC—even a mid-range laptop—the PCVR method is infinitely better.
Custom Maps and Cosmetics
One of the coolest parts of modding isn't even the menus; it's the maps. The Monkey Map Hub allows you to download community-created levels. We’re talking full-scale recreations of Minecraft maps, parkour courses, and horror levels.
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To get these working, you need the MonkeyMapLoader mod. Once installed, you'll see a computer terminal in the game (usually in the basement or the stump) where you can select the map. It'll download the assets and teleport you there. It’s like having an infinite version of Gorilla Tag.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Is your game crashing on startup? Nine times out of ten, it's a "broken plugin."
Go to your plugins folder and start removing mods one by one. Start with the ones you manually dragged and dropped. Usually, it's an outdated mod menu that hasn't been updated for the current version of Gorilla Tag. Also, make sure your SteamVR is actually running before you launch the game. Sometimes the mod loader fails to initialize if the VR headset isn't "awake."
Another common fix is deleting the config folder inside BepInEx. This folder stores your settings. Sometimes a setting gets corrupted, and deleting the folder forces the mods to generate fresh, clean files the next time you launch. You won't lose your mods; you'll just reset their settings to default.
Actionable Next Steps to Mod Safely
If you're ready to jump in, don't just start clicking things. Start small. Install the base files through Monke Mod Manager and make sure the game runs. Once you see the "Modded" text on the in-game computer, you know you've done it right. Only then should you start looking for cosmetic mods or custom maps.
- Verify your game files on Steam to ensure a clean slate.
- Join the official Modding Discord (look for the link on the Gorilla Tag Wiki). It’s the only place to get safe, updated files.
- Check your PC specs. VR modding is heavy on the CPU. If your game is stuttering, try lowering your SteamVR resolution to 80%.
- Stay in Modded Lobbies. Don't be that person who ruins the game for kids in public Forest lobbies. You’ll get reported, and your account will be gone in minutes.
The world of modded Gorilla Tag is massive. It changes how the game feels, moving it from a simple game of tag to a full-blown sandbox experience. Just remember that with great power comes the very real possibility of getting banned, so keep your mods in the modded rooms and keep your files updated.
Once you have the basics down, you might want to look into GorillaCosmetics. This mod lets you change your monkey's material to things like gold, transparent glass, or even custom skins like Spider-Man. It uses .gorilla files that you drop into a specific folder within your plugins. It’s a great way to stand out without risking a ban for "cheating" since it's purely visual.
Keep an eye on the version numbers. Gorilla Tag is currently in a phase of rapid development, and what works today might be broken by a Tuesday update. Always check the "Mod-Updates" channel in the community Discords before you spend an hour trying to fix a broken install. Usually, the fix is just waiting for a dev to upload a new .dll.
Modding is a hobby, not a one-click fix. It requires a bit of patience and a lot of reading. But once you're swinging through a custom-built city map with low gravity and a custom neon skin, you'll realize the effort was worth it. Stay safe, don't share your login info, and enjoy the new ways to play.