CRT Pixels
@crtpixels.bsky.social
Celebrating and comparing retro games on the displays they were designed for! Have fun, be nice, play how you like. by @jackal27.bsky.social | FAQ: http://bit.ly/3wceznw
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Help us fight Mitzi’s cancer: https://gofund.me/177ca33f
If you know someone who repairs CRT TVs within a few hours of Kansas City, you can save a life
November 4, 2025 at 2:47 PM
If you know someone who repairs CRT TVs within a few hours of Kansas City, you can save a life
So, there you have it for now.
I have more minor nitpicks, wishes (orchestrated soundtrack DLC PLEASE), and praises, but what matters is that The Ivalice Chronicles is a great way to experience Final Fantasy Tactics, for the first time, or another time.
And you absolutely should.
I have more minor nitpicks, wishes (orchestrated soundtrack DLC PLEASE), and praises, but what matters is that The Ivalice Chronicles is a great way to experience Final Fantasy Tactics, for the first time, or another time.
And you absolutely should.
September 24, 2025 at 6:22 PM
So, there you have it for now.
I have more minor nitpicks, wishes (orchestrated soundtrack DLC PLEASE), and praises, but what matters is that The Ivalice Chronicles is a great way to experience Final Fantasy Tactics, for the first time, or another time.
And you absolutely should.
I have more minor nitpicks, wishes (orchestrated soundtrack DLC PLEASE), and praises, but what matters is that The Ivalice Chronicles is a great way to experience Final Fantasy Tactics, for the first time, or another time.
And you absolutely should.
Minor characters now truly become the iconic figures of a fittingly sweeping tale. Milleuda, a character I’d always glanced over in previous playthroughs, has become one of my favorites.
I would also push Argath off the nearest ledge at any given opportunity.
The 2007 script now feels definitive.
I would also push Argath off the nearest ledge at any given opportunity.
The 2007 script now feels definitive.
September 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Minor characters now truly become the iconic figures of a fittingly sweeping tale. Milleuda, a character I’d always glanced over in previous playthroughs, has become one of my favorites.
I would also push Argath off the nearest ledge at any given opportunity.
The 2007 script now feels definitive.
I would also push Argath off the nearest ledge at any given opportunity.
The 2007 script now feels definitive.
At first I wasn’t sure what to make of the new mountain of voiced dialogue.
In practice however, every unit now feels like a genuine character rather than a faceless grunt. Soldiers jubilant praises or personalized death throes go a long way to driving home the game’s themes.
In practice however, every unit now feels like a genuine character rather than a faceless grunt. Soldiers jubilant praises or personalized death throes go a long way to driving home the game’s themes.
September 24, 2025 at 6:20 PM
At first I wasn’t sure what to make of the new mountain of voiced dialogue.
In practice however, every unit now feels like a genuine character rather than a faceless grunt. Soldiers jubilant praises or personalized death throes go a long way to driving home the game’s themes.
In practice however, every unit now feels like a genuine character rather than a faceless grunt. Soldiers jubilant praises or personalized death throes go a long way to driving home the game’s themes.
However, there is one addition here that I absolutely cannot ignore.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles might just have the best voice acting performances of any video game I have ever played.
It genuinely enhances the drama, script, and story in every way.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles might just have the best voice acting performances of any video game I have ever played.
It genuinely enhances the drama, script, and story in every way.
September 24, 2025 at 6:18 PM
However, there is one addition here that I absolutely cannot ignore.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles might just have the best voice acting performances of any video game I have ever played.
It genuinely enhances the drama, script, and story in every way.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles might just have the best voice acting performances of any video game I have ever played.
It genuinely enhances the drama, script, and story in every way.
However, the Enhanced version does add a lovely (optional) Focal Effect blur, added lighting and contrast depth, as well a possible attempt at recreating the PS1’s dithering via a storybook filter effect.
These touches do a nice job calling back to the strengths of the original on a CRT TV.
These touches do a nice job calling back to the strengths of the original on a CRT TV.
September 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
However, the Enhanced version does add a lovely (optional) Focal Effect blur, added lighting and contrast depth, as well a possible attempt at recreating the PS1’s dithering via a storybook filter effect.
These touches do a nice job calling back to the strengths of the original on a CRT TV.
These touches do a nice job calling back to the strengths of the original on a CRT TV.
I would have preferred an option to simply switch to the original, pixellated sprites rather than an entire “Classic” version. That or have each sprite completely redone in a more hand drawn, fittingly HD art style.
Your mileage may vary.
Here is a quick comparison vs my JVC D-Series CRT’s S-Video
Your mileage may vary.
Here is a quick comparison vs my JVC D-Series CRT’s S-Video
September 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I would have preferred an option to simply switch to the original, pixellated sprites rather than an entire “Classic” version. That or have each sprite completely redone in a more hand drawn, fittingly HD art style.
Your mileage may vary.
Here is a quick comparison vs my JVC D-Series CRT’s S-Video
Your mileage may vary.
Here is a quick comparison vs my JVC D-Series CRT’s S-Video
My biggest issue is with the “Enhanced” visuals. Environmental textures have been smoothed out using a filter, while sprites appear to have been scaled up and drawn over. Details can smudge together or look a bit off like Gragoroth’s fingers here or Wiegraf’s boot.
September 24, 2025 at 6:12 PM
My biggest issue is with the “Enhanced” visuals. Environmental textures have been smoothed out using a filter, while sprites appear to have been scaled up and drawn over. Details can smudge together or look a bit off like Gragoroth’s fingers here or Wiegraf’s boot.
Sadly, the Classic version seems to use some kind of AI upscaling for its FMVs. The scenes themselves appear suitably pixelated to the original resolution, but in motion details smudge together as if the FMVs were AI upscaled and then recompressed.
A minor, but odd decision.
A minor, but odd decision.
September 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Sadly, the Classic version seems to use some kind of AI upscaling for its FMVs. The scenes themselves appear suitably pixelated to the original resolution, but in motion details smudge together as if the FMVs were AI upscaled and then recompressed.
A minor, but odd decision.
A minor, but odd decision.
The Ivalice Chronicles also offers a separate Classic version, which retains the PS1 visuals with 16:9 support, but removes PS1 dithering. It also adds an autosave feature, a lifesaver, and the somewhat controversial 2007 War of the Lions translation.
More on that later.
More on that later.
September 24, 2025 at 6:11 PM
The Ivalice Chronicles also offers a separate Classic version, which retains the PS1 visuals with 16:9 support, but removes PS1 dithering. It also adds an autosave feature, a lifesaver, and the somewhat controversial 2007 War of the Lions translation.
More on that later.
More on that later.
The Ivalice Chronicles does a fantastic job onboarding new (or lapsed) players with modernized tutorials, rebalanced difficulty options, and a slew of quality of life features.
All of these gameplay features feel like genuine enhancements that don’t detract from the core game.
All of these gameplay features feel like genuine enhancements that don’t detract from the core game.
September 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
The Ivalice Chronicles does a fantastic job onboarding new (or lapsed) players with modernized tutorials, rebalanced difficulty options, and a slew of quality of life features.
All of these gameplay features feel like genuine enhancements that don’t detract from the core game.
All of these gameplay features feel like genuine enhancements that don’t detract from the core game.
I consider Final Fantasy Tactics to be not only one of the greatest games of all time, but an essential work of fiction.
While I always adored its poignant story, I found the idiosyncrasies of its mechanics a bit impenetrable in my youth. Today, they’re second nature.
While I always adored its poignant story, I found the idiosyncrasies of its mechanics a bit impenetrable in my youth. Today, they’re second nature.
September 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
I consider Final Fantasy Tactics to be not only one of the greatest games of all time, but an essential work of fiction.
While I always adored its poignant story, I found the idiosyncrasies of its mechanics a bit impenetrable in my youth. Today, they’re second nature.
While I always adored its poignant story, I found the idiosyncrasies of its mechanics a bit impenetrable in my youth. Today, they’re second nature.
Lately I’ve been playing Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles on Nintendo Switch 2 for review.
My full review will be up on my podcast, but I’d like to unpack a few thoughts here as well.
tldr; This is an excellent remaster with its own strengths and weaknesses.
My full review will be up on my podcast, but I’d like to unpack a few thoughts here as well.
tldr; This is an excellent remaster with its own strengths and weaknesses.
September 24, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Lately I’ve been playing Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles on Nintendo Switch 2 for review.
My full review will be up on my podcast, but I’d like to unpack a few thoughts here as well.
tldr; This is an excellent remaster with its own strengths and weaknesses.
My full review will be up on my podcast, but I’d like to unpack a few thoughts here as well.
tldr; This is an excellent remaster with its own strengths and weaknesses.
I didn’t advertise my trip to PAX West 2025, but it was nice to see so many of you regardless! Thank you to those who said hi, chatted about CRTs, and offered encouraging words after a rough year.
Can’t wait to see you all again in 2026!
Can’t wait to see you all again in 2026!
September 4, 2025 at 9:19 PM
I didn’t advertise my trip to PAX West 2025, but it was nice to see so many of you regardless! Thank you to those who said hi, chatted about CRTs, and offered encouraging words after a rough year.
Can’t wait to see you all again in 2026!
Can’t wait to see you all again in 2026!
It differs set to set as well! I’ve seen sets from the same manufacturer, from the same time period, that use completely different tubes. Not to mention next to no one was calibrating their TVs.
Notice how different the screens of these PVMs look despite being essentially the same model.
Notice how different the screens of these PVMs look despite being essentially the same model.
July 5, 2025 at 1:47 PM
It differs set to set as well! I’ve seen sets from the same manufacturer, from the same time period, that use completely different tubes. Not to mention next to no one was calibrating their TVs.
Notice how different the screens of these PVMs look despite being essentially the same model.
Notice how different the screens of these PVMs look despite being essentially the same model.
Yet another nice example of a developer keeping a midrange, composite-only, consumer CRT nearby to check how the game’s visuals would look for the end user.
(image via @crtbot.bsky.social)
(image via @crtbot.bsky.social)
June 27, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Yet another nice example of a developer keeping a midrange, composite-only, consumer CRT nearby to check how the game’s visuals would look for the end user.
(image via @crtbot.bsky.social)
(image via @crtbot.bsky.social)
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997, Squaresoft) - PS1
Sharp Pixels vs. PS1 S-Video via Sony KV-27S43
One more FF Tactics post for the road! Something that struck me making this comparison last night is how many variables are at play, even for just this opening battle. Incredible game.
Sharp Pixels vs. PS1 S-Video via Sony KV-27S43
One more FF Tactics post for the road! Something that struck me making this comparison last night is how many variables are at play, even for just this opening battle. Incredible game.
June 5, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997, Squaresoft) - PS1
Sharp Pixels vs. PS1 S-Video via Sony KV-27S43
One more FF Tactics post for the road! Something that struck me making this comparison last night is how many variables are at play, even for just this opening battle. Incredible game.
Sharp Pixels vs. PS1 S-Video via Sony KV-27S43
One more FF Tactics post for the road! Something that struck me making this comparison last night is how many variables are at play, even for just this opening battle. Incredible game.
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997, Squaresoft) - PS1
Sharp Pixels vs. PS2 YPbPr via Sony PVM-20L2MD
Well damn, this one surprised even me! Even on a PVM calibrated by the legend Keith Raney (thanks Keith), dithering still gets cleaned up nicely over component!
Sharp Pixels vs. PS2 YPbPr via Sony PVM-20L2MD
Well damn, this one surprised even me! Even on a PVM calibrated by the legend Keith Raney (thanks Keith), dithering still gets cleaned up nicely over component!
June 4, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997, Squaresoft) - PS1
Sharp Pixels vs. PS2 YPbPr via Sony PVM-20L2MD
Well damn, this one surprised even me! Even on a PVM calibrated by the legend Keith Raney (thanks Keith), dithering still gets cleaned up nicely over component!
Sharp Pixels vs. PS2 YPbPr via Sony PVM-20L2MD
Well damn, this one surprised even me! Even on a PVM calibrated by the legend Keith Raney (thanks Keith), dithering still gets cleaned up nicely over component!
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997, Squaresoft) - PS1
Sharp Pixels vs. PS2 YPbPr via Toshiba 14AF45
I got a reply saying that dithering is still visible on a CRT via component so I wanted to demonstrate that this definitely isn’t always the case, particularly on consumer TVs.
Sharp Pixels vs. PS2 YPbPr via Toshiba 14AF45
I got a reply saying that dithering is still visible on a CRT via component so I wanted to demonstrate that this definitely isn’t always the case, particularly on consumer TVs.
June 4, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997, Squaresoft) - PS1
Sharp Pixels vs. PS2 YPbPr via Toshiba 14AF45
I got a reply saying that dithering is still visible on a CRT via component so I wanted to demonstrate that this definitely isn’t always the case, particularly on consumer TVs.
Sharp Pixels vs. PS2 YPbPr via Toshiba 14AF45
I got a reply saying that dithering is still visible on a CRT via component so I wanted to demonstrate that this definitely isn’t always the case, particularly on consumer TVs.
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997, Squaresoft) - PS1
Sharp Pixels vs. PS1 Composite via Sony KV-27S43
FFT is actually THE game responsible for this blog. When I got an HDTV in 2012, I hooked up my PS2, but when I saw FFT’s dithering for the first time I thought my console was broken!
Sharp Pixels vs. PS1 Composite via Sony KV-27S43
FFT is actually THE game responsible for this blog. When I got an HDTV in 2012, I hooked up my PS2, but when I saw FFT’s dithering for the first time I thought my console was broken!
June 4, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997, Squaresoft) - PS1
Sharp Pixels vs. PS1 Composite via Sony KV-27S43
FFT is actually THE game responsible for this blog. When I got an HDTV in 2012, I hooked up my PS2, but when I saw FFT’s dithering for the first time I thought my console was broken!
Sharp Pixels vs. PS1 Composite via Sony KV-27S43
FFT is actually THE game responsible for this blog. When I got an HDTV in 2012, I hooked up my PS2, but when I saw FFT’s dithering for the first time I thought my console was broken!
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997, Squaresoft) - PS1
Sharp Pixels vs. PS1 S-Video via Sony KV-27S43
:)
Sharp Pixels vs. PS1 S-Video via Sony KV-27S43
:)
June 4, 2025 at 6:00 AM
Final Fantasy Tactics (1997, Squaresoft) - PS1
Sharp Pixels vs. PS1 S-Video via Sony KV-27S43
:)
Sharp Pixels vs. PS1 S-Video via Sony KV-27S43
:)
Also, a huge thank you to the local follower who donated this lovely PVM-8043MD to the blog a few years ago. I’m sorry I can’t remember your handle!
It hasn’t gotten much love on the blog, because I couldn’t find much use for it, but now that it sits on my office desk, I use it all the time!
It hasn’t gotten much love on the blog, because I couldn’t find much use for it, but now that it sits on my office desk, I use it all the time!
June 2, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Also, a huge thank you to the local follower who donated this lovely PVM-8043MD to the blog a few years ago. I’m sorry I can’t remember your handle!
It hasn’t gotten much love on the blog, because I couldn’t find much use for it, but now that it sits on my office desk, I use it all the time!
It hasn’t gotten much love on the blog, because I couldn’t find much use for it, but now that it sits on my office desk, I use it all the time!
Fantasy Zone II DX (2008, M2) - Sega System 16
Sharp Pixels vs. MiSTer FPGA S-Video via Sony PVM-8043MD
Happy Pride Month to my LGBT+ folks! Thank you for making the world a more colorful, vibrant, and honest place 🌈
Sharp Pixels vs. MiSTer FPGA S-Video via Sony PVM-8043MD
Happy Pride Month to my LGBT+ folks! Thank you for making the world a more colorful, vibrant, and honest place 🌈
June 2, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Fantasy Zone II DX (2008, M2) - Sega System 16
Sharp Pixels vs. MiSTer FPGA S-Video via Sony PVM-8043MD
Happy Pride Month to my LGBT+ folks! Thank you for making the world a more colorful, vibrant, and honest place 🌈
Sharp Pixels vs. MiSTer FPGA S-Video via Sony PVM-8043MD
Happy Pride Month to my LGBT+ folks! Thank you for making the world a more colorful, vibrant, and honest place 🌈
Ranger-X (1993, Nextech) - Mega Drive
Sharp Pixels vs. Sega 32X RGB via Sony PVM-20L2MD
So many cool, gorgeous little details in this game’s visuals, and it’s all animated beautifully as well. However you play it, just play it.
Sharp Pixels vs. Sega 32X RGB via Sony PVM-20L2MD
So many cool, gorgeous little details in this game’s visuals, and it’s all animated beautifully as well. However you play it, just play it.
May 31, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Ranger-X (1993, Nextech) - Mega Drive
Sharp Pixels vs. Sega 32X RGB via Sony PVM-20L2MD
So many cool, gorgeous little details in this game’s visuals, and it’s all animated beautifully as well. However you play it, just play it.
Sharp Pixels vs. Sega 32X RGB via Sony PVM-20L2MD
So many cool, gorgeous little details in this game’s visuals, and it’s all animated beautifully as well. However you play it, just play it.
Super Mario Kart (1992, Nintendo) - SNES
Sharp Pixels vs. MiSTer FPGA composite via Sony KV-14M10
Officially under a week before the Switch 2! I’m mixed on it, but mostly I’m just excited to be alive to see another new Nintendo console. What a privilege so many didn’t get.
Sharp Pixels vs. MiSTer FPGA composite via Sony KV-14M10
Officially under a week before the Switch 2! I’m mixed on it, but mostly I’m just excited to be alive to see another new Nintendo console. What a privilege so many didn’t get.
May 30, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Super Mario Kart (1992, Nintendo) - SNES
Sharp Pixels vs. MiSTer FPGA composite via Sony KV-14M10
Officially under a week before the Switch 2! I’m mixed on it, but mostly I’m just excited to be alive to see another new Nintendo console. What a privilege so many didn’t get.
Sharp Pixels vs. MiSTer FPGA composite via Sony KV-14M10
Officially under a week before the Switch 2! I’m mixed on it, but mostly I’m just excited to be alive to see another new Nintendo console. What a privilege so many didn’t get.