Nintendo Switch Online’s Super Nintendo Entertainment System’s latest update ushers in an upgraded CRT filter for the Nintendo Classics app. The new feature aims to garner an experience closer to what gamers used to enjoy on original CRT TVs when playing SNES games.
Why would anyone equip a CRT filter on their modern high-definition displays, you may ponder? Well, most old-generation games were designed keeping in mind the scanlines and interlacing features of CRT TVs. Therefore, the addition of a CRT filter allows these games to retain their original aesthetic appeal on newer screens.
The Super Nintendo app already housed a CRT filter. However, the latest update that brought Mario Paint to the forefront also comes with an enhanced filter. As per reports, the new filter seems to evoke the retro ‘NTSC S-Video’ style, intensifying the original CRT feel.
Many social media enthusiasts haven’t shied away from showcasing comparisons between the graphics rendered by the old and new filters. From their shared screenshots, it becomes evident that the improvements aren’t negligible. One Twitter user, Dalton from Bluesky, shared a snapshot that distinctly portrayed the difference. The image revealed much sharper lines rendered by the new filter, which significantly enhanced the overall graphics.
Different versions of the filter have been shared on online platforms, drawing out side-by-side comparisons to acknowledge the significant improvements brought about by the latest version. Although screenshots alone cannot reproduce the real experience of the updated filter, they do signify the commitment Nintendo has shown in perfecting the retro feel.
For now, the new CRT filter is available for the SNES app on both Switch and Switch 2. The Online N64 and GameCube apps for Nintendo Switch also have CRT filters. Still, it appears the new version upgrade isn’t extended to these yet.
In other developments on the Nintendo scene, the Switch 2 experienced a fresh hardware update. While the advantages of this update remain to be seen, it encompasses ‘general system stability improvements.’ In addition, Nintendo is gearing up to stage a Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase on July 31st. The showcase promises to include details about upcoming Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 games from third-party creators and developers.
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