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Scaling and Overlays Tool for handheld systems

Rion edited this page Feb 5, 2026 · 1 revision

Scaling and Overlays Tool for Handheld Systems

This tool provides handheld-optimized scaling + overlays, designed to make small native handheld resolutions look better on CRTs and other low-resolution displays.

It ships with system-specific overlays, and in some cases multiple overlay variants per system.


✅ Supported Systems

Currently supported:

  • Arduboy
  • Atari Lynx (horizontal support only, Libretro-HANDY only)
  • Game Gear
  • Game Boy
  • Game Boy Advance
  • Game Boy Color
  • Neo Geo Pocket Color
  • Nintendo DS (single-screen support only)
  • PICO-8
  • Super Game Boy (mGBA only; replaces the default overlay — can be disabled with Hotkey + R3)

🎛️ Switching or Disabling Overlays

Some systems include more than one overlay.

  • Switch overlay: hold Hotkey + R3
  • Disable overlay completely: hold Hotkey + R3 (cycles through variants and OFF, depending on system)

Tip: If you want a specific overlay to always be used, set your preferred overlay once and leave it.


🧩 Nintendo DS Notes (Single Screen on Horizontal CRT)

On a horizontally oriented CRT, progressive resolutions only allow one DS screen at a time.

This setup supports single-screen display, and you can swap between the top and bottom screen while playing.

How to swap screens (per emulator)

Libretro-DeSmuME

  • Swap screen button (default): R3
  • Change the binding here:
    • Quick Menu -> Controls -> Port 1 Controls
    • Quick Screen Switch

Libretro-melonDS

  • Swap screen button (default): R2
  • Change the binding here:
    • Quick Menu -> Controls -> Port 1 Controls
    • Swap Screens

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