Shaders

Apply visual filters and effects to games.

Written By Patrick Corrigan

Last updated About 12 hours ago

Apply visual filters and effects to games.

FeatureFreePremium
ShadersNoYes

What are Shaders?

Shaders are visual filters that change how games look on screen. They can add scanlines for a retro CRT TV effect, smooth out pixels, simulate handheld LCD screens, or enhance graphics in various ways.

Afterplay includes 43 shaders organized into 4 categories, with real-time preview so you can see exactly how each shader looks before applying it.

How to Apply Shaders

Afterplay uses a 3-level override system for shaders:

  1. Global default - Set a shader that applies to all games
  2. Per-platform - Override for specific platforms (e.g., all Game Boy games)
  3. Per-game - Override for individual games

More specific settings always take priority, so you can set a CRT shader globally but use an LCD shader for all handheld platforms.

Shader Categories

Interpolation (8 shaders)

Upscaling and pixel smoothing shaders that enhance image quality at higher resolutions.

ShaderDescription
FSRAMD upscaling for sharper pixels at any resolution
HQ2X2x upscale that smooths edges while preserving detail
HQ3X3x upscale that smooths edges while preserving detail
HQ4X4x upscale that smooths edges while preserving detail
PixellateClean integer scaling with sharp pixel edges
QuilezSmooth upscaling with minimal blur
ScaleFXEdge-smoothing that reduces pixelated look
Sharp BilinearCrisp scaling without pixel wobble or blur

CRT (11 shaders)

Simulate the look of classic CRT televisions with scanlines, curvature, and phosphor effects.

ShaderDescription
Easy ModeLightweight CRT with scanlines, good for 1080p
Easy Mode Anti-FlickerEasy Mode with reduced flicker for handhelds
GeomClassic CRT curvature and phosphor glow
Geom Anti-FlickerGeom with reduced flicker for handhelds
HyllianSharp Trinitron/Sony BVM style with subtle bloom
ZfastUltra-lightweight CRT, great for weak devices
Zfast Anti-FlickerZfast with reduced flicker for handhelds
Zfast GeoZfast with CRT geometry/curvature
Zfast Geo Anti-FlickerZfast Geo with reduced flicker for handhelds
CRT PiCRT shader optimized for Raspberry Pi
CRT Pi Anti-FlickerCRT Pi with reduced flicker

Handheld (23 shaders)

Recreate the look of handheld console screens, including Game Boy variants and LCD effects.

Game Boy Variants

ShaderDescription
Game BoyOriginal DMG green-tinted LCD screen
Game Boy PocketGray-scale Game Boy Pocket LCD look
Game Boy LightBacklit Game Boy with warm white tint

Dot Matrix

ShaderDescription
dotSimple dot matrix overlay effect
GBC Dot Matrix WhiteGame Boy Color with white background
GBA Dot Matrix WhiteGame Boy Advance with white background
GB Dot Matrix DMGOriginal Game Boy dot matrix
GB Dot Matrix PocketGame Boy Pocket dot matrix
GB Dot Matrix LightGame Boy Light dot matrix

LCD Shaders

ShaderDescription
LCD ShaderGeneric LCD grid pattern simulation
Simpletex LCDTextured LCD with subtle pixel grid
Simpletex LCD 720pSimpletex optimized for 720p displays
Simplegrid LCDSimple LCD grid without texture
Simplegrid LCD 720pSimplegrid optimized for 720p displays
Zfast LCDUltra-lightweight LCD shader
Zfast LCD NDS HybridLCD shader for hybrid DS layout
Zfast LCD NDS Hybrid Ratio 3LCD shader for hybrid DS layout with ratio 3

Pixel Transparency Combinations

These shaders add transparent white backgrounds for authentic handheld appearance.

ShaderDescription
Pixel TransparencyRecreates transparent background effect for authentic whites
Pixel Transparency + Simplegrid LCDSimplegrid LCD with transparent whites
Pixel Transparency + Simplegrid LCD 720Simplegrid 720p with transparent whites
Pixel Transparency + Simpletex LCDSimpletex LCD with transparent whites
Pixel Transparency + Simpletex LCD 720Simpletex 720p with transparent whites
Pixel Transparency + Zfast LCDZfast LCD with transparent whites

Miscellaneous (1 shader)

ShaderDescription
Anti-FlickerReduces screen flicker on handheld displays