Imagesource: https://github.com/DeadlyRedCube/

There's a reason why serious engagement with retro hardware and software demands an authentic CRT screen. How else are you supposed to heat your living room in these times of scarce and expensive energy (at least in our part of the world)? 🥶

But let's stick to reality. Beyond their marvelous warming capabilities, CRTs render bitmaps in an analog way, featuring a fast electron gun creating pixel by pixel including scanlines. The visual delights designed in the 80s and 90s, regardless of their form, were tailored to these effects.

Rendering games from that era on a modern monitor often leads to disappointment. Somehow, you remember the visuals being different! This is a major issue for many emulators of retro systems, and a significant challenge in maintaining the legally mandated nostalgia factor!

An unknown user, publishing on GitHub as DeadlyRedCube, has taken it upon themselves to change this. Or at least to provide a piece of software that others can use to simulate the optical effect of a CRT screen in their own projects through shaders.

Cathode-Retro is impressive. This C++ wrapper around a series of shaders simulates a color NTSC signal, achieving remarkable results.

For those currently working on a retro project in C++, this is precisely the finishing visual touch you need. And for those who have already completed their emulator... here's something for your roadmap.

Nice one!