Nintendo is going all-in on nostalgia with the Nintendo Switch 2, and one of the most unexpected — yet delightful — features coming to GameCube games on Switch 2 is a CRT filter option. This optional visual setting recreates the classic look of early 2000s gaming, taking players on a vivid trip back to the golden era of Super Smash Bros. Melee, Metroid Prime, and Luigi’s Mansion.
A Retro Touch in a Next-Gen Package
As revealed during the Nintendo Direct on April 2, the Switch 2 isn’t just a hardware upgrade — it’s a bold reimagining of how modern consoles can embrace the past. Among the standout announcements was this CRT-style visual mode, designed to mimic the curved screens, scanlines, and slight blur that many players grew up with. It’s completely optional, but for many old-school gamers, it could become the default way to play.
Why the CRT Filter Matters
While many HD remasters aim to modernize graphics, the CRT filter takes a different approach: it celebrates the way games originally looked. For fans of the GameCube era, this is more than a gimmick — it’s a time machine. With this filter active, players can relive their childhood gaming sessions with near-authentic visuals, just like on a chunky tube TV in the early 2000s.
More Than Just Nostalgia
This retro visual feature joins a long list of innovations coming with Switch 2, including:
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Mouse support for Joy-Cons
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GameChat, Nintendo’s new voice and text communication tool
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AI upscaling for legacy games
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Cloud saves and controller remapping for older titles
Nintendo has long embraced quirky features — from motion control to dual screens — and while they often seem gimmicky at first, they usually become genre-defining. The CRT filter is just another reminder that Nintendo knows how to mix innovation with nostalgia.
The Bigger Picture
What started as a rumored hardware refresh now looks more like a revolution. The Switch 2 is positioning itself not only as a powerful gaming console but as a legacy-preserving machine for lifelong Nintendo fans. Between new control schemes and retro enhancements, GameCube games on Switch 2 could offer the best of both worlds.
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