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CRT Pixels

@crtpixels.bsky.social

14K followers 35 following 97 posts

Celebrating and comparing retro games on the displays they were designed for! Have fun, be nice, play how you like. by @jackal27.bsky.social | FAQ: http://bit.ly/3wceznw Help us fight Mitzi’s cancer: https://gofund.me/177ca33f

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · May 27

This month my incredible partner @mitzistarkweather.bsky.social was diagnosed with metastatic (stage 4) breast cancer.

We’re devastated, but hopeful that modern treatments can give her many more years.

It will be a long road and if you’re able, we could use your help.

gofund.me/4010f535

Donate to Help Mitzi Fight Stage 4 Breast Cancer, organized by April Kontak

Hi, I’m April K, and I have had the privilege of being Mitzi’s best friend for nea… April Kontak needs your support for Help Mitzi Fight Stage 4 Breast Cancer

gofund.me

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 4d

Depends on your priorities

CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 5d

My full review of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles is up in our most recent episode. I should have some more comparisons and thoughts on the game here soon. Thanks!

bsky.app/profile/pock...

Pocketoid Podcast @pocketoid.bsky.social · 5d

✨Pocketoid 238 is HERE!✨

The flood of cool games keeps coming! We've got reviews for the Switch 2 versions of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Gearbits, Hades 2, and MORE!! Enjoy, friends!

LISTEN: www.pocketoidpodcast.com/2025/10/pock...

SUBSCRIBE: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

Same Deneb, same.

CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

I actually wasn’t aware of this because it’s been a while since I played War of the Lions (and the info is confusing) but I’ll have to wait for the community to compile all that.

It seems like the Enhanced version is translated from a new, modified, Japanese WotL script. Interesting.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

Wow, I wasn’t even aware of this, but yes I think those look MUCH better. Maybe modders can implement them on the PC version.

CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

I think if it’s bothering you that much it’s worth asking yourself how much the voice acting additions and QoL features matter to you. The original version is still a perfect video game in my eyes.

CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

Thank you to @square-enix-games.com for the review code. All screenshots and video of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles taken from Nintendo Switch 2 console captures and copyright of Square Enix.

CRT photos of the PlayStation original taken by me on a 20” JVC D-Series.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

So, there you have it for now.

I have more minor nitpicks, wishes (orchestrated soundtrack DLC PLEASE), and praises, but what matters is that The Ivalice Chronicles is a great way to experience Final Fantasy Tactics, for the first time, or another time.

And you absolutely should.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

Minor characters now truly become the iconic figures of a fittingly sweeping tale. Milleuda, a character I’d always glanced over in previous playthroughs, has become one of my favorites.

I would also push Argath off the nearest ledge at any given opportunity.

The 2007 script now feels definitive.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

At first I wasn’t sure what to make of the new mountain of voiced dialogue.

In practice however, every unit now feels like a genuine character rather than a faceless grunt. Soldiers jubilant praises or personalized death throes go a long way to driving home the game’s themes.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

However, there is one addition here that I absolutely cannot ignore.

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles might just have the best voice acting performances of any video game I have ever played.

It genuinely enhances the drama, script, and story in every way.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

However, the Enhanced version does add a lovely (optional) Focal Effect blur, added lighting and contrast depth, as well a possible attempt at recreating the PS1’s dithering via a storybook filter effect.

These touches do a nice job calling back to the strengths of the original on a CRT TV.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

I would have preferred an option to simply switch to the original, pixellated sprites rather than an entire “Classic” version. That or have each sprite completely redone in a more hand drawn, fittingly HD art style.

Your mileage may vary.

Here is a quick comparison vs my JVC D-Series CRT’s S-Video

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

My biggest issue is with the “Enhanced” visuals. Environmental textures have been smoothed out using a filter, while sprites appear to have been scaled up and drawn over. Details can smudge together or look a bit off like Gragoroth’s fingers here or Wiegraf’s boot.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

Sadly, the Classic version seems to use some kind of AI upscaling for its FMVs. The scenes themselves appear suitably pixelated to the original resolution, but in motion details smudge together as if the FMVs were AI upscaled and then recompressed.

A minor, but odd decision.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

The Ivalice Chronicles also offers a separate Classic version, which retains the PS1 visuals with 16:9 support, but removes PS1 dithering. It also adds an autosave feature, a lifesaver, and the somewhat controversial 2007 War of the Lions translation.

More on that later.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

The Ivalice Chronicles does a fantastic job onboarding new (or lapsed) players with modernized tutorials, rebalanced difficulty options, and a slew of quality of life features.

All of these gameplay features feel like genuine enhancements that don’t detract from the core game.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

I consider Final Fantasy Tactics to be not only one of the greatest games of all time, but an essential work of fiction.

While I always adored its poignant story, I found the idiosyncrasies of its mechanics a bit impenetrable in my youth. Today, they’re second nature.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 14d

Lately I’ve been playing Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles on Nintendo Switch 2 for review.

My full review will be up on my podcast, but I’d like to unpack a few thoughts here as well.

tldr; This is an excellent remaster with its own strengths and weaknesses.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · 28d

I only post about my long-running podcast once a year or so, but I'm really proud of all the work I did at PAX West 2025 this year, so if you'd like to hear about some hands-on demos of a bunch of cool games, here's Part 2!!

Pocketoid Podcast @pocketoid.bsky.social · 28d

✨Pocketoid 236 is HERE!✨

PAX West 2025 PART 2!! Hands of impressions of Kirby Air Riders! Pokemon Legends Z-A! Onimusha: Way of the Sword! Resident Evil Requiem! Pragmata! And MANY more!! Enjoy!

LISTEN: www.pocketoidpodcast.com/2025/09/pock...
SUBSCRIBE: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · Sep 4

Yes, I did play Bubsy 4D.

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · Sep 4

If you’d like to hear my thoughts on the mountain of incredible games I previewed at PAX West this year, you can find Part 1 of that at my podcast:

bsky.app/profile/pock...

Pocketoid Podcast @pocketoid.bsky.social · Sep 4

✨Pocketoid 235 is HERE!✨

It's PART 1 of our PAX West previews and we've got COOL games to tell you about from @square-enix-games.com, @dreadxp.bsky.social, @cityconnection.bsky.social, and MANY more!!

LISTEN: www.pocketoidpodcast.com/2025/09/pock...
SUBSCRIBE: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/p...

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · Sep 4

I didn’t advertise my trip to PAX West 2025, but it was nice to see so many of you regardless! Thank you to those who said hi, chatted about CRTs, and offered encouraging words after a rough year.

Can’t wait to see you all again in 2026!

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CRT Pixels @crtpixels.bsky.social · Aug 16

Even arcade sprites displayed via RGB can look soft and rounded in many cases. That shadow mask magic 😙👌

DOKI DOKI CRT PANIC @crtpixel.bsky.social · Aug 16

SKY SKIPPER
NINTENDO R&D1 1981
(Captured at Galloping Ghost Arcade, Brookfield, IL, USA)

The gorilla caged while the pilot and his friends celebrate

"Damn it. I'll escape"

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Reposted by CRT Pixels

Jordan Starkweather✨ @jackal27.bsky.social · Aug 15

One final look at The Setup before the big move…

Thank you for all the memories.

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