How to Change the Game Display Mode for Nintendo Classics Games

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model

Follow these steps to change the game display mode in the Nintendo Classics game libraries.

Before you start

An active Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to access the Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics, Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics, and Game Boy - Nintendo Classics game libraries.
An active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership is required to access the Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics, Nintendo 64 – Nintendo Classics: MATURE 17+, SEGA Genesis - Nintendo Switch Online, Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics, Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics, and Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics game libraries. The Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics library is exclusively playable on Nintendo Switch 2.

Complete these steps

Which Nintendo Classics game library do you want to change the display mode for?

Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics
1. Open the Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics software.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch 2
    Select Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu.
    
    Select Nintendo Classics on the left.
    
    Select the classic game library you want to download from the different options at the top of the screen.
    
    Select the icon of the console—this will be the first icon in the list of games included in the library.
    
    Select Free Download to open the page for the game library in Nintendo eShop.
    
    Select Free Download again. Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch
    Open the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch console and select a user with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
    
    Scroll down on the left-hand side and select Nintendo Switch Online.
    
    Scroll down and select the classic game library you want to download from the “Special Offers” or “Expansion Pack Content” sections.
    
    Please note that the Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics software is only available in the U.S. and Canada, and it will not appear if you are using Nintendo Switch Lite.
    
    Select Free Download twice.
    
    Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch 2
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch 2.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select from one of the following display modes:
  - 4:3: Gives you the original NES game look, with a slight horizontal stretch.
  - Pixel Perfect: Each pixel is a perfect square, so you see the games exactly as designed.
  - CRT Filter: Looks like an old TV, with scan lines and all.
4. Press the B Button to exit Settings.
Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics
1. Open the Super Nintendo Entertainment System - Nintendo Classics software.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch 2
    Select Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu.
    
    Select Nintendo Classics on the left.
    
    Select the classic game library you want to download from the different options at the top of the screen.
    
    Select the icon of the console—this will be the first icon in the list of games included in the library.
    
    Select Free Download to open the page for the game library in Nintendo eShop.
    
    Select Free Download again. Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch
    Open the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch console and select a user with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
    
    Scroll down on the left-hand side and select Nintendo Switch Online.
    
    Scroll down and select the classic game library you want to download from the “Special Offers” or “Expansion Pack Content” sections.
    
    Please note that the Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics software is only available in the U.S. and Canada, and it will not appear if you are using Nintendo Switch Lite.
    
    Select Free Download twice.
    
    Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch 2
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch 2.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select from one of the following display modes:
  - 4:3: Gives you the original SNES game look, with a slight horizontal stretch.
  - Pixel Perfect: Each pixel is a perfect square, so you see the games exactly as designed.
  - CRT Filter: Looks like an old TV, with scan lines and all.
4. Press the B Button to exit Settings.
Game Boy - Nintendo Classics
1. Open the Game Boy - Nintendo Classics software.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch 2
    Select Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu.
    
    Select Nintendo Classics on the left.
    
    Select the classic game library you want to download from the different options at the top of the screen.
    
    Select the icon of the console—this will be the first icon in the list of games included in the library.
    
    Select Free Download to open the page for the game library in Nintendo eShop.
    
    Select Free Download again. Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch
    Open the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch console and select a user with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
    
    Scroll down on the left-hand side and select Nintendo Switch Online.
    
    Scroll down and select the classic game library you want to download from the “Special Offers” or “Expansion Pack Content” sections.
    
    Please note that the Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics software is only available in the U.S. and Canada, and it will not appear if you are using Nintendo Switch Lite.
    
    Select Free Download twice.
    
    Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch 2
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch 2.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select a Game Screen: Game Boy, Game Boy Pocket, or Game Boy Color.
  - Note that titles which were only available for Game Boy Color, and titles which were compatible with both Game Boy and Game Boy Color, are always displayed using the Game Boy Color setting.
4. Check Reproduce classic feel to display games similarly to how they looked on the original system's screen.
5. Check Display with small screen to adjust the displayed screen size to be smaller than the console's screen.
6. Press the B Button to exit Settings.
Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics
Note: Display settings for Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics can only be changed when playing on Nintendo Switch 2.
1. Open the Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics software.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch 2
    Select Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu.
    
    Select Nintendo Classics on the left.
    
    Select the classic game library you want to download from the different options at the top of the screen.
    
    Select the icon of the console—this will be the first icon in the list of games included in the library.
    
    Select Free Download to open the page for the game library in Nintendo eShop.
    
    Select Free Download again. Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch 2
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch 2.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select from one of the following display modes:
  - CRT Filter: Looks like an old TV, with scan lines and all.
4. Press the B Button to exit Settings.
Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics: MATURE 17+
Note: Display settings for Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics: MATURE 17+ can only be changed when playing on Nintendo Switch 2.
1. Open the Nintendo 64 - Nintendo Classics: MATURE 17+ software.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch 2
    Select Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu.
    
    Select Nintendo Classics on the left.
    
    Select the classic game library you want to download from the different options at the top of the screen.
    
    Select the icon of the console—this will be the first icon in the list of games included in the library.
    
    Select Free Download to open the page for the game library in Nintendo eShop.
    
    Select Free Download again. Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch 2
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch 2.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select from one of the following display modes:
  - CRT Filter: Looks like an old TV, with scan lines and all.
4. Press the B Button to exit Settings.
Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics
1. Open the Game Boy Advance - Nintendo Classics software.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch 2
    Select Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu.
    
    Select Nintendo Classics on the left.
    
    Select the classic game library you want to download from the different options at the top of the screen.
    
    Select the icon of the console—this will be the first icon in the list of games included in the library.
    
    Select Free Download to open the page for the game library in Nintendo eShop.
    
    Select Free Download again. Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch
    Open the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch console and select a user with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
    
    Scroll down on the left-hand side and select Nintendo Switch Online.
    
    Scroll down and select the classic game library you want to download from the “Special Offers” or “Expansion Pack Content” sections.
    
    Please note that the Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics software is only available in the U.S. and Canada, and it will not appear if you are using Nintendo Switch Lite.
    
    Select Free Download twice.
    
    Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch 2
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch 2.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch.
2. Select Settings.
3. Check Reproduce classic feel to display games similarly to how they looked on the original system's screen.
4. Check Display with small screen to adjust the displayed screen size to be smaller than the console's screen.
5. Press the B Button to exit Settings.
SEGA Genesis - Nintendo Classics
1. Open the SEGA Genesis - Nintendo Switch Online software.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch 2
    Select Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu.
    
    Select Nintendo Classics on the left.
    
    Select the classic game library you want to download from the different options at the top of the screen.
    
    Select the icon of the console—this will be the first icon in the list of games included in the library.
    
    Select Free Download to open the page for the game library in Nintendo eShop.
    
    Select Free Download again. Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch
    Open the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch console and select a user with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
    
    Scroll down on the left-hand side and select Nintendo Switch Online.
    
    Scroll down and select the classic game library you want to download from the “Special Offers” or “Expansion Pack Content” sections.
    
    Please note that the Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics software is only available in the U.S. and Canada, and it will not appear if you are using Nintendo Switch Lite.
    
    Select Free Download twice.
    
    Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch 2
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch 2.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select from one of the following display modes:
  - 4:3: Gives you the original SEGA Genesis game look, with a slight horizontal stretch.
  - Pixel Perfect: Each pixel is a perfect square, so you see the games exactly as designed.
  - CRT Filter: Looks like an old TV, with scan lines and all.
4. Press the B Button to exit Settings.
Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics
1. Open the Nintendo GameCube - Nintendo Classics software.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch 2
    Select Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu.
    
    Select Nintendo Classics on the left.
    
    Select the classic game library you want to download from the different options at the top of the screen.
    
    Select the icon of the console—this will be the first icon in the list of games included in the library.
    
    Select Free Download to open the page for the game library in Nintendo eShop.
    
    Select Free Download again. Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch 2
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch 2.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select from one of the following display modes:
  - CRT Filter: Looks like an old TV, with scan lines and all.
4. Press the B Button to exit Settings.
Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics
Text color and in-game screen color can be changed, as well as the screen size and interpupillary distance (IPD). When starting Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics for the first time, you'll be prompted to adjust the IPD before game selection.

If you change the text color or in-game screen color, you'll be prompted to remove the lens cover to experience the color change.

How to change screen color, screen size, and IPD in-game
1. Open the Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics software.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch 2
    Select Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu.
    
    Select Nintendo Classics on the left.
    
    Select the classic game library you want to download from the different options at the top of the screen.
    
    Select the icon of the console—this will be the first icon in the list of games included in the library.
    
    Select Free Download to open the page for the game library in Nintendo eShop.
    
    Select Free Download again. Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch
    Open the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch console and select a user with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
    
    Scroll down on the left-hand side and select Nintendo Switch Online.
    
    Scroll down and select the classic game library you want to download from the “Special Offers” or “Expansion Pack Content” sections.
    
    Please note that the Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics software is only available in the U.S. and Canada, and it will not appear if you are using Nintendo Switch Lite.
    
    Select Free Download twice.
    
    Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch 2
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch 2.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch.
2. Select a game to play.
3. During gameplay, press and hold the Right Stick.
  - To adjust the IPD, press left or right on either control stick or the directional buttons.
  - To adjust the screen size or color, press the X Button. Screen size can be adjusted using the control sticks or directional buttons, and you can cycle through screen colors with the L Button and R Button.
4. Press the B Button to return to the game.
How to change text color
1. Open the Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics software.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch 2
    Select Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu.
    
    Select Nintendo Classics on the left.
    
    Select the classic game library you want to download from the different options at the top of the screen.
    
    Select the icon of the console—this will be the first icon in the list of games included in the library.
    
    Select Free Download to open the page for the game library in Nintendo eShop.
    
    Select Free Download again. Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to download the classic game libraries on Nintendo Switch
    Open the Nintendo eShop on your Nintendo Switch console and select a user with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.
    
    Scroll down on the left-hand side and select Nintendo Switch Online.
    
    Scroll down and select the classic game library you want to download from the “Special Offers” or “Expansion Pack Content” sections.
    
    Please note that the Virtual Boy - Nintendo Classics software is only available in the U.S. and Canada, and it will not appear if you are using Nintendo Switch Lite.
    
    Select Free Download twice.
    
    Once downloaded to the HOME Menu, this library of games will be available to all users with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership of the appropriate type.
    
    For more information, see How to Access the Nintendo Classics Game Libraries.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch 2
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch 2.
  - How to start a game or software application on Nintendo Switch
    Insert a game card in the game card slot on the console, load a virtual game card, or download a game or software application from the Nintendo eShop.
    
    Highlight the icon for the game or software application that you wish to use from the HOME Menu.
    
    Press the A Button or select Start.
    
    Select a user if prompted.
    
    For more information, including how to close a game or software application, see How to Start/Close a Game or Software Application on Nintendo Switch.
2. Select Settings.
3. Select Red or White for the text color.
4. Press the B Button to exit Settings.

Additional information

When opening one of the classic game libraries, Internet access may be required periodically to validate your membership status.

How to Change the Game Display Mode for Nintendo Classics Games

Before you start

Complete these steps

How to change screen color, screen size, and IPD in-game

How to change text color

Additional information

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