Guide: Shaders and Overlays on Retro Handhelds

[@RetroGameCorps]

Note: if you're having trouble getting your manually-loaded shaders to appear in KNULLI, there is a bug in RetroArch where you have to navigate to the userdata folder FIRST before navigating to the shaders folder. It sounds complicated but it's really easy, I've added instructions in the "Other OS Considerations" section of my written guide. Hope it helps! retrogamecorps.com/2024/09/01/guide-shaders-and-overlays-on-retro-handhelds/

[@Chico38able]

I like Russ' voice when I wake up in the morning and when I sleep at night. Very calming psychotherapy haha. I've been using a shader for PS1 via retroarch since early Ambernic days, it turned my PS1 jaggies into mobile-looking games

[@dioramax7808]

So helpful thank you !

[@MarcoLoves360gamer]

I'm struggling to know what folders to put the files in knulli can someone help

[@ToyKeeper]

Russ, the crt-consumer shader runs at about 20fps on a rg35xxh in knulli, even though the FPS display says 60. Try fake-CRT-Geom instead, for much faster performance and reduced Moire artifacts.

[@Qa_mook]

What userdata? There is no userdata in knulli. Iam looking at it right now.

[@NickTaylor-Phantom-Works2]

When I think of most KZbinrs doing this, just ad-libbing to camera, then you watch this and understand the time and dedication that this guy here gives his content, and you realise, this channel is whole levels above the rest.

[@Ankjell]

Phyrex does also cool stuff. His video about the perfect overlays for muOS and the RG35XX family is golden❤

[@gluttonousmaximus9048]

Yeah, realizing how most of KZbin outside of this guy's stuff is noise and pointless kinda saddens me

[@NickTaylor-Phantom-Works2]

@@gluttonousmaximus9048 I hear you bruv

[@xXRustyShacklefordXx]

Yep a whole new level of shilling and sweeping of critical issues. Russ is no more than a salesman at this point

[@DoubleDragon5180]

@@xXRustyShacklefordXxif only that was true

[@TechDweeb]

Freaking knocked it out of the park with this video! I can tell how much work went into this and it's a great service to the community.

[@gabe5918]

Heyy!! It’s the GOAT! ❤

[@RetroGameCorps]

Thanks Dweeb!

[@NatsuMatto]

Get a room you two! 😂

[@janX9]

​@@NatsuMattoBwahahaha 😅

[@janX9]

​@@NatsuMattoBwahahaha 😅

[@armadillu]

For CRT shaders, try crt-blurPi. It handles scanlines based on screen size instead of the game res, so that it doesn't require integer scaling. It's also very lightweight; it will even work on the lowest tier handhelds. It may require tweaking of its parameters depending on the game. (PS: I am the shader's developer)

[@travissmith8017]

Nice, where can I find your shader to try it?

[@armadillu]

@@travissmith8017 it comes bundled with retroarch, inside the crt shaders

[@CaptainScarLeg]

If this works well on the Miyoo Mini+ I'm very interested

[@RetroGameCorps]

Thanks for the feedback, I agree that this a great shader! I've added it to a list of recommended shader options in my CRT section of the written guide.

[@dokferr]

My favourite is CRT-BlurPi Soft. It's good for 480p screen. I combined it with Presets TV Out 256p s-video interlaced for Snes. BlurPi > Append > tvout+interlacing Unfortunately, CRT BlurPi is not really that good for 1080p screen. It's really best for 480p.

[@FabuBrik]

-Grab a snack- -Grab two snacks- Grab a full meal for this one

[@Isaac________]

Great (and long!) video! I'm the creator of several shaders that appear in this video and the written guide (like CRT-1tap, dual filter bloom, authentic GBC, etc.). A couple points I wanted to add. Disclaimer: I am the author of these shaders, too! :) - If you are interested, please check out the "Blur fill" shader in the "border" directory. Its purpose is to fill out the black parts of the screen on devices where the aspect ratio does not match the game contents. Prime examples would be the RG Cube or the RGB30 with their 1x1 displays. - I would suggest the "pixel AA" shader inside the "pixel art scaling" directory over "sharp shimmerless". First, it has fewer artifacts (you can check with some patterns in the 240p suite, for example). Second, it should be a tiny bit sharper still. Third, it comes with the default shader repository. Finally, there is a "pixel AA fast" preset for super low end devices like ones running on a RK3326. I love that you explain the usage of shader parameters. I see so many people ask "what is the BEST shader?". It always comes down to personal preference in my opinion. Many of the shaders that the community has created are highly customizable, so shader parameters let you do exactly that: Tweak each one to your own liking! I always encourage people to send me feedback on my shaders, such as bug reports, feature requests, or even ideas for completely new shaders! For example, the "Blur fill" shader entirely started with someone contacting me with an idea. Then, we started brainstorming different approaches.

[@RetroGameCorps]

Pixel AA is such a good shader, I'm starting to use it more than the shimmerless shader and that's saying a LOT because I love that one too :)

[@ericlefontainethompson7917]

Russ always seems to drop a concise guide exactly when it’s needed.

[@srfeger]

Came here to say the same thing. Just started messing with shaders and overlays. Absolutely perfect timing.

[@jonathand827]

He lurks in multiple subreddits, I seen his comments popped out of nowhere, so he does tend to keep on top on the latest developments directly from devs.

[@paranoidmd7]

No kidding. I was thinking about shaders just this afternoon while tinkering with my device.

[@HouseDJMusic]

Me too. Spend the weekend tweaking my shaders, and then this video drops.

[@CatFish107]

Concise? 3 and a half minutes of barely tangential info before starting, then another damn near hour is not concise.

[@othertwishart]

TWO snacks and a drink? The absolute madman!

[@derekgonsoulin116]

The slow chomp and sip warning.

[@ItsMrLee]

I just went ahead and had dinner

[@stephengreyling980]

Written guide requires a three course dinner.

[@elnoel1220]

I just made a cup of tea after about 20 minutes. No snacks required!

[@joesatchton212]

Russ: I don't say this very often....You truly are a genuine treasure in the retro gaming community. Just incredible work. THANK YOU....

[@KikiAelita]

I like listening to videos while I eat or go about my business alone in my small apartment, but I REALLY appreciate the written guides for when I actually do stuff. Thank you so much for catering to both audiences - those who need a video and those who need words.

[@rolux4853]

Your written guides are by far the best! These are worth their words in gold, I hold them in even higher regard than the videos!

[@cym0npeter]

This is the kind of video I’m going to come back to over and over. Thank you for this resource!

[@alexandertaranenko2488]

This video made me finally pull the trigger on an RG40XXH. That screen is gorgeous and so versatile.

[@Junier-Hussein]

You're a treasure to the community ♥️ Such an amazing person.

[@TheMangerChild]

The fact that you can make content like this so warm and cozy should not be taken for granted. You're killing it, Russ.

[@shenye7423]

I generally tend to watch videos about handhelds themselves - however, this video is, imo, the best one Russ has made, at least as far as I watched. It's educational, very easy to digest, great amount of info and personal experience is condensed into a nice 50 minutes - and it's universal, meaning every retro handheld owner can use it to enhance their gaming experience. And if you get stuck or confused, there is a written guide with links and whatnot! Doing a monumental work, Russ, thank you so much!

[@ZeixWright]

This needs to win a noble prize! It's a service to humanity! Every retro gamer needs to see before drowning in the settings.

[@MyAmazingUsername]

This is such a complicated topic that it makes sense that it took years to gather the energy for this. Thank you so much for helping us. Your professional presentation is such a joy. ❤

[@rgrange180]

Thanks! I legitimately couldn't do this hobby without your guides.

[@RetroGameCorps]

Thanks for the support!

[@wlechim]

I was just today going down the shader rabbit hole and then you drop this video! Much appreciated!

[@JayRKID]

Im sat at Disney Hollywood Studios Orlando on vacation and this video has been a great watch when taking a bit of chill time out from the chaos today, I've ordered my 40xx for when I arrive back home to the UK and can't wait to get these shaders applied. Theve always confused me so thankyou for the great explanation ❤

[@odkKoma]

Thank you so much! I’ve been waiting for this since 351MP and even though it took you long enough you exceeded my expectations! Can’t wait to try this out!

[@jesselegood7454]

You are truly amazing Russ. This is the penultimate guide now and I have watched the whole thing start to finish and read the writen guide. Amazing the differance this can make. I'm so doing this to every device I can going forward.

[@mattrogers6646]

Which guide is better?

[@frixto]

You just read my mind. I was not getting any of your content on my feed and I have been trying to figure this out the last few days. Searched manually for you and there was this video. Thanks a million!

[@DanBanan69]

I just got into retro handhelds, and have watched more than a dozen videos on this channel during the past few days. I'm thoroughly impressed with the quality of the videos. I appreciate the amount of work you put into this. My research led me to buy a Retroid Pocket 4 pro, and I'll definitely use your guides for setting it up when it arrives. You got my subscription and my respect, peace out dude.

[@thomas.deliot]

Thanks so much for all your content !

[@daily_pocket_review]

This is amazing. I had gotten completely overwhelmed trying to figure this stuff out on my own. Thank you so much Russ and Ben!

[@NotKilleran]

You probably already know this, but you truly are the hidden gem of gaming review / tutorial videos! Thank you for all the hard work!

[@vinicius883]

Finally a good guide for shaders, filters and overlays

[@Arcad3n]

Note for anyone who enjoys the color profile for Game Boy Color games on Nintendo Switch Online: select Load Shader Preset, navigate to the “reshade” folder, and pick NSO-GBC! Then all your Game Boy games will look just like they do on NSO. Playing Game Boy games with a GBC palette with this shader enabled is perfection.

[@gazetronix]

I've had my MM+ for over a year and was putting off doing this, but after watching this wonderful video I'm thinking "yeah man, I wanna do it". Thank you!

[@DonWeaselYeehawEdition]

I have a TrimUI Smart coming in the mail, can't wait to apply all the shaders to it once it comes in!!

[@brandonthaxton8830]

I just got my Retroid 4 pro and Miyoo Mini like 2 weeks ago and have been fiddling around with this stuff. Your video came at the perfect time. Thanks for the effort, we appreciate you.

[@joezar33]

2:17 oooh, that freaking dope , the CRT look

[@cybersed57]

Monumental work, Russ! Thank you for this guide which will save us a lot of time and experimentation. This is now the ultimate guide on the subject.

[@Carliz1989]

I love that you have typed out guides! As cool as videos are theres certain times I wish there was a text guide to follow.

[@Sadtiric]

So stoked for a modern crash course on shaders from the GOAT! 💚

[@SuperLaTeXxX]

the most detailed and best explanation I've ever seen, thank you

[@1Gyruss]

awesome, been waiting for this the whole day, thanks!!

[@Wave9990]

Russ you are a legend for doing this, I've been meaning to add some overlays to my RG35XX H and also wanted some different shaders. I followed this video and now every single emulator on the thing is set up with the perfect overlays and shaders, and they look awesome. This is legitimately the best guide ever, thank you so much!

[@gluttonousmaximus9048]

The big thing to consider in RetroArch is that, if its menus mention "integer scaling", it thinks in "scanlines" or one dimensionally, so if you enable it on the NES for example, only the vertical scaling will be integer, while the horizontal resolution still needs to be addressed in either RetroArch's video settings, or the Core setting.

[@Wasabim]

Thank you for this video and the written guide ! Excellent job.

[@C1PH3RR]

The level of information here is astounding. King of retro! Thanks for the video! I learned a lot.

[@ElroyFisher]

Undeniably the ultimate guide humanly possible. Thank you immensely

[@Chris-vd7dk]

Russ, you are a legend. I've enjoyed my SP a lot more since I've set it up like what you've shown. It took me forever to figure it out, this is going to save people a lot of frustration. Thanks man!

[@SwordSaint892]

This is one of those vids that'll be useful and referenced by viewers for years and years. Thanks for all the hard work, love the content.

[@thelenbax8497]

I was looking for a guide for the past few days and then you drop this, bless you Russ

[@onlyceilingfans6394]

honey wake up, Retro Game Corps just dropped another video.

[@acarajeh]

Awesome job, Russ! Your dedication, organization, and communication are incredible! I’ve been a fan since pandemic days, you’re still Number One!! Go RGC!

[@syrvolga]

Thanks for your detailed videos, Russ ! Oh and the guides too. I'm going back to them a lot.

[@Nunzio12]

Master class once again

[@ispudy]

This video is like next level retro nerdness... so much love went into it.

[@r34lp0w3r]

The most straightforward explanation I’ve ever seen.

[@barrypalizzi1755]

Just getting into the retro games and feeling overwhelmed. Your videos and guides have helped me tremendously. Also love the shirt!

[@okayman81]

This is the type of content I pay my internet bills for. Congrats, Russ! 👏

[@rolux4853]

This is a much needed masterpiece! Thank you so much this is so good information, everyone needs to see it!

[@PsychonautSaiyan]

These are the only tweaks I had left for my rgb30 you are the GOAT Russ!

[@R1SKbreaker]

Great informative video! Would love a follow-up video for stronger hardware, like the RG Cube, and up to the Steam Deck.

[@savagealpha]

Excited about this. Thanks Russ and Ben!

[@DeliciousBert]

I've been wanting this video for so long. Thank you so much for doing this!

[@RussellPate]

Great work here. Keep up these educational videos! I love learning how to get the most out of my handhelds.

[@t.j.giroux5936]

Russ is a titan who walks amongst mere mortals. He graces us with his patience and understanding and I don't know what I would've done without his awesome videos. My powkiddy and anbernic Rev in my hands thanks to this guy :)

[@DeathJerrie]

You are doing an awesome job, Russ! Thanks to you Retro Emulation stays fresh for me.

[@TheGorachar]

Incredible! Just best of the best! Russ you are awesome!

[@NorrinCreates]

Russ making complex things simple. What a fantastic video. So much work went into this, and it absolutely paid off. The video and guide helped me SO MUCH! THANK YOU!

[@antonlab]

Thank you Russ! This was a well timed upload. I was playing around with shaders and overlays just 2 nights ago and was literally about to look up a guide somewhere, and then this was uploaded the next day.

[@OpoSai]

Holy wow dude you're a machine. I have zero need for these, but totally ate the whole video and learned a lot. Not to mention the work that went into it, can't even imagine the editing process.

[@onlyskramz]

Russ, your videos along with Bob Wulff's and everyone else over on the Nerd Nest pod's are what reinvigorated my love for handhelds, and ultimately why I own a Steam Deck I fully customized and a Miyoo Mini Plus, but that Pedro the Lion shirt just sealed the deal for me on you being the coolest of the hand held bunch. Saw a private, acoustic solo set of their's (Bazan's) earlier this year, and it was awesome. Stay rad, man.

[@sergio_henrique]

Such a helpful guide! The effort is commendable!

[@rbatesmotel]

The video we've all been waiting for. Thanks Russ

[@Destide]

Literally started playing with this yesterday awesome infomaitom thanks bud

[@TheOdsystem]

Your dedication is impressive! This video is an encyclopedia of tips.

[@jasonshiers5771]

You know when Russ says grab 2 snacks and a drink some serious shit is gonna go down. Quality Video Russ .

[@h4wduk3n]

This was so helpful, even though I consider myself tech and retroarch savvy, I love the way Russ explains things and there is definitely a calming feel about your videos, thanks!

[@David-ln8qh]

This is maybe my favorite retro-game topic that's so underrepresented, ty

[@5temba]

The quality of your videos is so good. Retro gaming is where I've found a breath air as far as community goes. I wonder if/how making these changes would affect the gameplay experience on the RG556?

[@Bobbin4Brownies]

This is fantastic, wish I'd had a guide like this a decade ago when I trial and errored my way down the shader rabbit hole but I still got a ton of new info from this now. My go-to on lightweight systems is generally crt-easymode for tv consoles and lcd3x on all my handhelds. Not terribly accurate compared to the color correcting options but I never had much fondness for those handheld screen quirks at the time and even less now and those two vastly improve the raw look without being too in your face about it. Massive respect to the people who've worked so hard to recreate old handheld screens so closely though, it's a technical marvel and damned impressive. My desktop setup is on a massive 4k HDR projector screen and looks glorious with pvm shaders and reflective tv bezels so uncanny that it still makes my brain tingle, but that was days of tweaking and this would have been a great help before diving in. Shaders are magical though and the right combo will light up all the nostalgia buttons but also show newcomers why we still geek out at old arcade games and 90s consoles. A tiny screen, compromised emulation, and no screen shaders just makes me sad if that's how younger generations are experiencing my fondest memories. I feel like that old dude complaining about how you didn't really see The Exorcist, Jaws, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, etc if you first saw it on vhs. It just wasn't the same and no wonder it didn't impress. One thing I wish this did cover though was how pixel artists worked to use the crt screens to their advantage, a side by side of raw pixels vs the intended image with scanlines and how it completes the picture. In the early days of emulation most people were stretching everything to widescreen and running raw pixels or using ghastly smoothing filters to make Mario World look like a blind kid's watercoloring book, but I am so so glad the trend now seems to be pushing for accuracy or an idealized version of the original artstyle anyway. Or I would be if retro hipsters hadn't skyrocketed the price of crt screens and original hardware! But I digress. Can't have it all haha.

[@piensluc7444]

Always great to end the weekend and relax a sunday evening with a video from you ! Thanx for your work and dedication ! Greetings from Belgium !

[@michaelgoodwin593]

You've clearly put a lot of effort into this and the content was great. Just want to say thank you.

[@reillustrate7370]

Thank you for this. I recently set up launchbox and this video gave me the information I needed to know about filters and shaders.

[@BleuNxtDoor]

I'm so glad I can now come here or your page to get this info. VERY MUCH NEEDED! THANK YOU

[@akane6625]

Thank you very much for this excellent video very well explained. Now, I finally understand the difference between video filters, shaders and screen overlays. I can't imagine the preparation work that this required, this video is a real treasure that I will keep very preciously. Many thanks again to you 👏

[@andrewg9107]

Brother, that Pedro the Lion shirt is 🔥 I love that band. Also I love the content you put out and hope to see more from ya!

[@yannlemasson5727]

Great, very comprehensive!!! Your video are without any doubt the new Golden Standard. Thanks Russ

[@JeepSec]

Exactly what I needed, exactly when I needed it. I just installed Knulli on my RG35XXSP and found that I missed the really cool bezels from the stock firmware. As always, your video is perfect. (incidentally, when I first discovered retro gaming machines, it was your videos that helped me get up and running). I particularly love the CRT effects on NES, as it makes it feel like it's still me and my junior-high friends on a Saturday morning clustered around a CRT screen playing Excitebike or Pro Wrestling or Blades of Steel. If the Academy Awards had a category for KZbin videos, this would get my vote.

[@bungalowfeuhler1541]

I remember when I had very little experience with emulators. I randomly used ZSNES when I picked up my first Mac, just because it was the first one Google told me was compatible. I randomly clicked on the Filters button and suddenly my mind was completely blown as the classic Super Mario World pixel graphics I was so familiar with suddenly became gorgeous, hand-painted, modern graphics. It looked like something that just came out today. It was such a cool way to breathe some new life into the classic graphics I’ve been looking at for four decades.

[@stfc4619]

I was waiting so long for this one.. I learned a lot with you're channel and I was hoping to really dig in the shader / filter subject. Really, Thanks This guide must never disappeared.

[@mechamudzilla]

Incredible work Russ, thank you!

[@knyuen]

Thanks for this educational video, I learn very much and now my screens are so pleasant after applying proper filter, shader & overlay ❤

[@cordata008]

Woa, fantastic video! I've always been interested to make my own emulation "set ups" but I was super intimidated with all the options available and technical jargon. This has helped me understand it all so much better, thank you!

[@riptide8718]

what an incredible guide and resource! truly shows a ton of work and dedication. much appreciated

[@dolphin-dot-lnk6298]

I'm blown away by the quality and quantity of videos you publish!

[@MarcusIIFerreira]

What a gift for a sunday afternoon! Hold on, I'll grab a snack.

[@Ankjell]

And a drink!

[@MarcusIIFerreira]

@@Ankjell Of course! I forgot the most important. Haha

[@sticboy]

two snacks even!

[@degoofus]

​@sticboy maybe even three!

[@josepbergesse7830]

This is the video I been waiting! Thanks!

[@RomPereira]

I was reading on some comments below criticizing Russ, with names like salesman, etc. Well, He is selling his image, his opinions, his time, etc. So yeah, he is a salesman. He needs to make money to pay his stuff, meanwhile, watching a video from his, not only you may buy the best handheld for the money you can spend and know all the good and the bad prior to the purchase. Very neat content, very hard to do and time consuming. So, congrats to Russ for his extra excellent work, I truly hope you sell a lot, salesman!

[@dannylamas1]

Been looking forward to this so much since you teased it earlier, such an amazing job! Thank you!

[@PabloGST]

Absolutely BANGER of a video, Russ! Appreciate all the hard work you do! Is there a way you can do something similar for Emudeck and high end screens? Also, on the written guide, the example screenshots appear ABOVE the system section in question for me, would it make more sense to have them after the system text? for example: GB -> write-up -> examples, GBC -> write-up -> examples. Anyways, awesome work! 👊

[@NumairRana]

God youve been a blessing for the retro gaming community, thank you for all the helpful guides and reviews that you've done!

[@L319HV]

this really came in clutch. I've been messing around with overlays and shaders for a bit now on my r36s but now I can really perfect it with some tips from a seasoned veteran in the emulation space.

[@Playerdrew10]

Excited for this one!