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Switchres.ini Overrides for RetroArch

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Rion edited this page Jun 4, 2026 · 5 revisions

Switchres.ini Overrides for RetroArch.

This page explains how to use custom switchres.ini files with RetroArch

With the newer RetroArch versions included in Batocera, it is now possible to use game overrides.
This makes it much easier to create a switchres.ini override for one specific game without affecting the whole core or a full ROM folder.

Override Priority Order

Switchres reads configuration files from most specific to least specific.

  1. Per-game override

    /userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/<core_name>/<game_name>.switchres.ini

  2. Content directory / folder override

    /userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/<core_name>/<folder_name>.switchres.ini

  3. Per-core override

    /userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/<core_name>/<core_name>.switchres.ini

  4. Global RetroArch override

    /userdata/system/configs/retroarch/switchres.ini

  5. System default

    /etc/switchres.ini

How It Works

RetroArch overrides create .cfg files inside the core configuration folder:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/<core_name>/

Switchres can use a matching .switchres.ini file with the same base name.

For example, if RetroArch creates this game override:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).cfg

Then the matching Switchres override should be named:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).switchres.ini

The filename must match the RetroArch override name exactly, except that the extension changes from:

.cfg

to:

.switchres.ini

Full Copy vs Minimal Override Files

Most examples on this page copy /etc/switchres.ini first. This is often the easiest way to start, because you get a complete file with all available Switchres options and comments.

However, this is not required.

A .switchres.ini override file can also be very small and only contain the settings you want to change.

For example, a game or folder override can contain only:

dotclock_min 25
interlace 0

Switchres will still use the normal settings from:

/etc/switchres.ini

Then it applies only the options found in the more specific .switchres.ini override file.

In other words, the override file does not need to be a complete copy of /etc/switchres.ini. It only needs to include the settings you want to override.

This makes small per-game and folder overrides much cleaner and easier to maintain.

Recommended Method: Per-Game Switchres Override

This is the recommended method when you only want to change Switchres behavior for one specific game.

It is not the only recommended override method. If several games need the same Switchres settings, use a folder-based override instead. Folder overrides are still very useful for groups of games that need the same super resolution setting, monitor profile, interlace behavior, or geometry adjustment.

In this example, we use:

  • System: PlayStation
  • Core: PCSX-ReARMed
  • Game: Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA)

1. Select the Correct Core in EmulationStation

In EmulationStation, make sure the game is using the correct RetroArch core.

For this example:

PCSX-ReARMed

2. Start the Game

Launch the game from EmulationStation.

Example:

Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA)

3. Open the RetroArch Quick Menu

While the game is running, open the RetroArch Quick Menu.

Usually this is done with:

[HOTKEY] + South Button

or with a keyboard:

Shift + F1

4. Save a Game Override

Navigate to:

Overrides -> Save Game Overrides

This creates a game-specific RetroArch override file.

For this example, RetroArch creates:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).cfg

5. Exit the Emulator

Exit the game and return to EmulationStation or terminal/SSH.

6. Create the Game-Specific switchres.ini Override

Use the same base filename as the .cfg file created by RetroArch, but change the extension to .switchres.ini.

You can either copy the full default file as a starting point:

cp /etc/switchres.ini "/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).switchres.ini"

Or you can create a small minimal override file that only contains the settings you want to change.

Example minimal override:

dotclock_min 25
interlace 0

Both methods work. Copying the full file is easier if you want all options visible. A minimal file is cleaner if you only need to override a few settings.

7. Remove the RetroArch .cfg File

If you only created the game override so Switchres could use the matching filename, you can remove the RetroArch .cfg file afterwards.

Example command:

rm "/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).cfg"

This keeps the game-specific switchres.ini override, but removes the unnecessary RetroArch settings override.

After this, the folder should contain:

Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).switchres.ini

8. Edit the Game-Specific switchres.ini

Now edit:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).switchres.ini

If you copied the full /etc/switchres.ini file, change only the options you want for this game.

If you created a minimal override file, only add the options that should be different from the main /etc/switchres.ini.

Useful Examples

The examples below use the game-specific .switchres.ini file, but the same settings can also be applied to a folder-based .switchres.ini file.

These examples can be used either by editing a full copy of /etc/switchres.ini, or by creating a minimal override file with only the shown settings.

Use the method that matches what you want to change:

One game only        -> Use a game override
Several games/folder -> Use a content directory / folder override
Whole core           -> Use a core override
All RetroArch cores  -> Use a global override

Enable Super Resolution for One Game

Open the game-specific .switchres.ini file and find:

dotclock_min 0

Change it to:

dotclock_min 25

This can force Switchres to use super resolutions such as 2560 horizontal pixels.

Force a Specific Monitor Profile for One Game

Find the monitor line.

Example:

monitor arcade_15

Change it to the monitor profile you want.

Example for 31 kHz progressive output:

monitor arcade_31

This can be useful if you want a specific game to use a different CRT range or output style.

Disable Interlaced Resolutions for One Game

Find the interlace setting:

interlace 1

Change it to:

interlace 0

This prevents Switchres from generating or using interlaced modes for that game.

Adjust Geometry for One Game

For the easier RetroArch menu-based method using the CRT SwitchRes menu, see: ➡️ RetroArch ‐ CRT Switchres ‐ Geometry Adjustments

The example below is for users who want to adjust geometry manually using a .switchres.ini override file.

Open the game-specific .switchres.ini file and edit:

h_size                    1.0
h_shift                   0
v_shift                   0

Explanation

  • h_size controls horizontal image size.
  • h_shift moves the image left or right.
  • v_shift moves the image up or down.

Software vertical size adjustment is not available through these Switchres options.

Example Geometry Ranges for a 15 kHz Consumer CRT

Typical safe adjustment ranges:

H-Size Positive: 1.0 -> 1.1 / 1.12
H-Size Negative: 1.0 -> 0.99 / 0.94
H-Shift Right:   0 -> 25
H-Shift Left:    0 -> -25
V-Shift Up:      0 -> -9
V-Shift Down:    0 -> 9

Values outside these ranges may not work correctly depending on your CRT range and modeline limits.

Optional Method: Folder-Based Switchres Override

Use this method if you want the same Switchres settings to apply to several games inside one ROM sub-folder.

Example use cases:

  • A super_res folder for games that should use super resolution.
  • A capcom folder for games that need similar geometry adjustments.
  • A 31khz folder for games that should use a 31 kHz monitor profile.

The same Switchres settings shown in the examples above can be used here too. The only difference is the filename.

For example:

Game override:
Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).switchres.ini

Folder override:
super_res.switchres.ini
capcom.switchres.ini
31khz.switchres.ini

For a more detailed example using folder-based overrides for geometry adjustments, see the advanced section at the end of this page: Individual Geometry Adjustments for Specific Games in a Sub-Folder for RetroArch

Example: Super Resolution Folder for PlayStation Games

Create a folder:

/userdata/roms/psx/super_res

Place the games that need super resolution inside that folder.

Start one game from that folder, open the RetroArch Quick Menu, and select:

Overrides -> Save Content Directory Overrides

RetroArch will create a folder override file similar to:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/super_res.cfg

Now create the matching .switchres.ini file using the same base filename.

You can copy the full default file:

cp /etc/switchres.ini "/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/super_res.switchres.ini"

Or create a minimal folder override containing only the setting you want to change:

dotclock_min 25

If the RetroArch .cfg file is not needed, remove it:

rm "/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/super_res.cfg"

Then edit:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/super_res.switchres.ini

For super resolution, make sure the file contains:

dotclock_min 25

If you copied the full file, change the existing dotclock_min line. If you created a minimal override, this single line may be enough.

The setting will apply to games launched from the super_res folder.

Optional Method: Core-Wide Switchres Override

Use this method if you want the same Switchres settings to apply to every game using one RetroArch core.

For example, to apply settings to all games using PCSX-ReARMed, create:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/PCSX-ReARMed.switchres.ini

You can create it manually by copying the full default file:

cp /etc/switchres.ini "/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/PCSX-ReARMed.switchres.ini"

Or you can create a minimal file with only the settings that should be different for this core.

Then edit:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/PCSX-ReARMed.switchres.ini

These settings will apply to all games using the PCSX-ReARMed core, unless a more specific game or folder override exists.

Optional Method: Global RetroArch Switchres Override

Use this method if you want one custom switchres.ini to apply to all RetroArch cores.

Create:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/switchres.ini

Example command using a full copy:

cp /etc/switchres.ini "/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/switchres.ini"

You can also create a minimal global override file with only the settings that should be different from /etc/switchres.ini.

Then edit:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/switchres.ini

This applies globally to RetroArch, unless a more specific game, folder, or core override exists.

Notes and Troubleshooting

Override Files Do Not Need Every Option Listed

A .switchres.ini override file does not need to include every option from /etc/switchres.ini.

This is valid:

dotclock_min 25
interlace 0

Any option not listed in the override will continue to come from the less specific configuration file, usually:

/etc/switchres.ini

Use a full copy when you want all available options visible. Use a minimal file when you only want to override a few specific settings.

The .switchres.ini Filename Must Match the Override Name

If RetroArch creates:

Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).cfg

Then the Switchres file must be:

Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).switchres.ini

Do not rename it to something shorter unless the RetroArch override name also uses that shorter name.

The Core Folder Name Must Be Correct

The core folder must match the RetroArch core folder name.

Example:

PCSX-ReARMed

Full path:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/

Other cores will use different folder names.

Remove the .cfg Only If You Do Not Need RetroArch Settings

The .cfg file created by RetroArch is only needed if you want RetroArch settings to be overridden too.

If you only want a Switchres override, it is safe to remove the generated .cfg file after creating the matching .switchres.ini.

Example:

rm "/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).cfg"

Per-Game Overrides Take Priority

If the following files all exist:

Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).switchres.ini
super_res.switchres.ini
PCSX-ReARMed.switchres.ini
/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/switchres.ini
/etc/switchres.ini

Switchres will use the most specific match first.

For this example, the game-specific file wins:

Castlevania - Symphony of the Night (USA).switchres.ini

Result

The workflow is now much easier.

For one specific game, use:

Overrides -> Save Game Overrides

Then create the matching game-specific .switchres.ini filename, remove the generated .cfg file if it is not needed, and edit the new .switchres.ini. You can either copy the full /etc/switchres.ini file or create a minimal override containing only the settings you want to change.

For several games in the same ROM folder, use:

Overrides -> Save Content Directory Overrides

Then create the matching folder-specific .switchres.ini filename, remove the generated .cfg file if it is not needed, and edit the new .switchres.ini. Just like game overrides, folder overrides can be full copies or minimal files.

This gives you clean Switchres tuning at the level you need:

One game        -> game override
Several games   -> folder override
Whole core      -> core override
All RA cores    -> global override

Individual Geometry Adjustments for Specific Games in a Sub-Folder for RetroArch

This section explains the manual .switchres.ini method for applying the same geometry adjustment to several games in a ROM sub-folder.

If you prefer adjusting geometry directly from the RetroArch menu and saving it as a Game Override or Content Directory Override, see: ➡️ RetroArch ‐ CRT Switchres ‐ Geometry Adjustments

Use this method if you want the same geometry adjustment to apply to several specific games, but not to the whole core.

This is useful when a group of games need slightly different horizontal size, horizontal position, or vertical position compared to your normal Switchres setup.

In this example, we use:

  • System: PlayStation
  • Core: PCSX-ReARMed
  • ROM sub-folder: capcom
  • Folder override file: capcom.switchres.ini

1. Create a New ROM Sub-Folder

Create a new sub-folder under your PlayStation ROM folder.

Example:

/userdata/roms/psx/capcom

2. Place the Games in the Sub-Folder

Place the games that need the same geometry adjustment inside:

/userdata/roms/psx/capcom

Only games launched from this folder will use the folder-based Switchres override.

3. Select the Correct Core in EmulationStation

For the games inside the capcom folder, make sure they use the correct RetroArch core.

For this example:

PCSX-ReARMed

4. Start a Game from the Sub-Folder

Launch one of the games from:

/userdata/roms/psx/capcom

5. Open the RetroArch Quick Menu

While the game is running, open the RetroArch Quick Menu.

Usually this is done with:

[HOTKEY] + South Button

or with a keyboard:

Shift + F1

6. Save a Content Directory Override

Navigate to:

Overrides -> Save Content Directory Overrides

RetroArch will create a content-directory override file using the ROM folder name.

For this example, it creates:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/capcom.cfg

The important part is the base filename:

capcom

The matching Switchres override must use the same base filename:

capcom.switchres.ini

7. Exit the Emulator

Exit the emulator and return to EmulationStation or terminal/SSH.

8. Create the Folder-Specific switchres.ini Override

Create a Switchres override file and name it after the folder override.

You can copy the full default Switchres configuration:

cp /etc/switchres.ini "/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/capcom.switchres.ini"

Or you can create a minimal override containing only the geometry settings you want to change.

Example minimal geometry override:

h_size                    1.1
h_shift                   10
v_shift                   -3

After this, the folder should contain:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/capcom.switchres.ini

9. Remove the Generated RetroArch .cfg File

If you only created the content-directory override so Switchres could use the matching filename, you can remove the RetroArch .cfg file afterwards.

Example command:

rm "/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/capcom.cfg"

This keeps the folder-based Switchres override, but removes the unnecessary RetroArch settings override.

If you also want RetroArch settings to apply to this folder, keep capcom.cfg and edit it instead of deleting it.

10. Edit the Folder-Specific switchres.ini

Open the new file:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/capcom.switchres.ini

Edit or add the geometry values:

h_size                    1.0
h_shift                   0
v_shift                   0

If the folder override file only contains these geometry lines, Switchres will still read the rest of its settings from the normal configuration chain.

Explanation of Geometry Parameters

  • h_size controls the horizontal size of the image.
  • h_shift moves the image left or right.
  • v_shift moves the image up or down.

Note: Vertical size adjustment is not available through these Switchres software options.

Example Geometry Adjustments for a 15 kHz Consumer CRT

These are typical starting ranges for small geometry corrections:

H-Size Positive: 1.0 -> 1.1 / 1.12
H-Size Negative: 1.0 -> 0.99 / 0.94
H-Shift Right:   0 -> 25
H-Shift Left:    0 -> -25
V-Shift Up:      0 -> -9
V-Shift Down:    0 -> 9

Values outside these ranges may not work correctly, depending on your CRT range, modeline limits, and display.

Result

Once completed, the geometry adjustments in:

/userdata/system/configs/retroarch/config/PCSX-ReARMed/capcom.switchres.ini

will apply to all games launched from:

/userdata/roms/psx/capcom

Games outside the capcom folder will continue using the normal Switchres settings, unless another more specific override exists.

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