Carlos' custom CRT shader presets for RetroArch

This repository contains a set of custom CRT shader presets for RetroArch based on its glsl-shaders. These presets are meant to look reasonable on resolutions slightly below 1080p and have good performance on weak graphics cards — I'm using them with an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 2600 from 2008 driving a 1680x1050 LCD screen.

• crt-tv.glslp — subtle scanlines and a Trinitron-like mask (aperture grille)
• crt-tv-slotmask.glslp — same as crt-tv, but approximating a slot mask instead
• crt-tv-monitor.glslp — same as crt-tv-slotmask, but sharper
• crt-tv-slotmask-mixed.glslp — same as crt-tv-slotmask but tries to approximate slower image decay
• crt-scanlines.glslp — more pronounced scanlines, with no discernible mask
• crt-mask-horizontal.glslp — pronounced scanlines and slight blur (approximates a worn CRT)
• crt-mask-vertical.glslp — same as crt-mask-horizontal but for vertical games
• crt-ega-newer.glslp — scanlines and subtle mask (for DOSBox Pure with single-scan)
• crt-ega-older.glslp — same as crt-ega-newer but slightly more blurry
• crt-vga-newer.glslp — no scanlines and subtle mask (for DOSBox Pure with double-scan)
• crt-vga-older.glslp — same as crt-vga-newer but slightly more blurry
• crt-vga-alternate.glslp — alternative to crt-vga-newer with bilinear filtering

I've found that crt-tv-slotmask or crt-tv works best for consoles, but I tend to prefer crt-scanlines for most arcade games. I know it's less accurate, but fits better with my subjective memories somehow.

The EGA/VGA presets approximate a slot mask, when actual PC monitors most commonly used triads (circular dots in a triangular arrangement). It's not very realistic, really, but the idea is to provide some texture to the image when viewed from a reasonable distance rather than something that stands up to close inspection. Perfectly sharp pixels on DOS games don't quite sit right with me.

Install

Clone this repository into a subdirectory of RetroArch's shader directory, like this:

cd /opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch/shaders
git clone https://github.com/carlosefr/retroarch-shaders.git custom

The new presets will appear in RetroArch's Shaders / Load Preset menu under the custom folder. You can name it something other than "custom" if you prefer.

Examples

Irem's "In the Hunt" (1993) and Taito's "Puzzle Bobble" (1994) for the arcade (lr-fbneo), with the crt-scanlines preset (click for full 1680x1050 size):

  

Compile's "Zanac Neo" (2001) for the original PlayStation (lr-pcsx-rearmed) and Sega's "Sonic the Hedgehog" (1991) for the Mega Drive (lr-genesis-plus-gx), with the crt-tv preset (click for full 1680x1050 size):

  

Sinc LAIR's "Aliens: Neoplasma II" (2024) for the ZX Spectrum (lr-fuse) and Nintendo's "Super Mario Bros." (1985) for the NES (lr-fceumm), with the crt-tv-slotmask preset (click for full 1680x1050) size: