Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesiTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Start with 4:3 and Modern Arcade. That combination preserves the original PlayStation picture shape while adding a softer, scanline-style presentation that many players find easier to watch on a modern 16:9 television. Switch to Classic Arcade when CRT authenticity matters most, or choose Default when you want the least processed image. These options change image presentation—not the original game’s frame rate, input latency or emulation performance.
The recommendation is preference-based community guidance rather than an official Sony ranking. Your game may use slightly different preset names, and Sony notes that features and screen images can vary with system software.
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Arcade | A balanced, smoother-looking image | Scanlines with more of the original color retained | PS5 PS1 Classics | Oct 2026 |
| Classic Arcade | Stronger CRT-style authenticity | More pronounced scanline treatment and altered color character | PS5 PS1 Classics | Oct 2026 |
| Default | The least deliberately altered presentation | Rawer pixel structure without a retro overlay | PS5 PS1 Classics | Oct 2026 |
| Modern | A higher-contrast look | More contrast; dark areas can lose detail | PS5 PS1 Classics | Oct 2026 |
What is the best PS5 setup for smoother PS1 games?
For most players, use 4:3 aspect ratio and Modern Arcade. 4:3 keeps the proportions used by the original games, while Modern Arcade adds scanline treatment without changing the color character as aggressively as Classic Arcade, according to a community comparison of the available presets (community preset discussion).
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Choose Classic Arcade if you specifically want a stronger CRT-inspired appearance and can accept darker or more strongly tinted areas. Choose Default if you prefer to see the game’s original pixel structure with minimal stylisation. Modern is a contrast-focused alternative, but boosted contrast can crush blacks, so it is not a universal upgrade.
Popular on Amazon
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
“Smoother” here means that filtering, scanlines and sensible scaling make an enlarged image feel less harsh or uneven. It does not mean the PS5 raises the game’s frame rate, removes every original rendering artifact or guarantees better emulation performance.
How do I turn on a PS1 visual preset on PS5?
Open the game’s suspend menu while the PS1 title is running, then select its visual-preset control. A PlayStation Plus community guide describes the path as Options button → Visual Presets, with choices such as Default, Retro Classic and Modern (community menu guide). Other games may show Classic Arcade or Modern Arcade instead, so use the labels displayed by your title.
- Launch the PS1 Classic on your PS5 and wait until gameplay is visible.
- Press the controller’s Options button to open the game’s suspend menu.
- Select Visual Presets, or the similarly named display option shown by that game.
- Try Modern Arcade first, then return to the same menu to compare Default, Classic Arcade or Modern.
- Leave the menu and inspect a scene with both bright and dark detail before deciding.
The PS button opens the PS5 control centre, where game and system functions are available. Sony’s quick-start guide also says settings can be changed from the home screen, while warning that functionality and on-screen images can vary by software version (PS5 Quick Start Guide). Sony’s wording is straightforward: “You can go back and change any of your settings by selecting Settings from the home screen.” That means you can safely experiment and return to the same controls without committing to a permanent choice.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →If the labels do not match
Do not assume a missing name means the feature is broken. One community guide uses Retro Classic, while another uses Classic Arcade and Modern Arcade. These labels can reflect a different title, release or system-software version. Look for the menu that controls the game’s visual presentation, note the options actually listed, and compare those options rather than trying to force a particular naming scheme.
Do you need extra hardware for a smoother picture?
The settings described here are software controls available while a supported PS1 title is running on PS5. A PlayStation 5 console is the relevant platform, and a standard PlayStation 5 wireless controller is useful for opening the PS button control centre and the in-game Options menu. The controller is a navigation accessory, not an image-quality upgrade: changing pads does not add scanlines, alter aspect ratio or increase resolution.
Likewise, treat any display-side device as separate from the preset choice. The console’s visual option controls the game presentation, while the television can still apply its own zoom, sharpening, contrast or color processing. Keep the display chain unchanged while testing so you are judging the preset rather than a new television mode.
Should PS1 Classics use 4:3 or widescreen?
Use 4:3 unless you deliberately prefer a filled 16:9 image. The original PS1 composition was designed around a squarer display; stretching it to widescreen changes the geometry of characters, menus and circular objects. A 4:3 image can leave unused space at the sides of a modern television, but that space is preferable to making the game world look unnaturally wide.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →4:3: preserve the original geometry
4:3 keeps horizontal and vertical proportions closer to the source presentation. It is the safest starting point for games with pre-rendered backgrounds, text-heavy menus or recognisable geometric shapes. If your television adds its own scaling or zoom mode, disable that extra stretch so the console’s aspect-ratio choice is not overridden.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Use a simple visual check: a circular object should remain circular, a character’s face should not look wider than expected, and menu lettering should keep its intended proportions. If all three look natural with narrow side areas, the unused space is doing its job. Those bars are pillarboxing, not a fault with the game.
Widescreen: use only as a conscious compromise
A 16:9 or “wide” option fills more of the panel, but it does so by changing the image shape unless a particular game has a genuine widescreen rendering mode. The researched PS5 controls are presentation choices; they do not establish that a title is rendering additional scene width. If the picture looks broad, squat or distorted, return to 4:3.
Native-size choices
Some interfaces may offer a native-size or similarly conservative option. It can preserve the original scale more closely but leaves substantially more unused screen area on a 4K television. Use it when exact pixel size matters more to you than filling the display. It is not automatically sharper on every panel, because the television still has to display the signal at its own physical pixel grid.
Which PS5 visual preset should you choose?
The presets trade off filtering, CRT character, contrast and color. There is no official Sony “best” ranking, so choose according to the way each game is composed and the look you want.
| Preset | Filtering and texture | Color and contrast | Good fit | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Default | Least deliberately processed; pixel structure remains prominent | Neutral baseline | Players who want an unembellished image | Harder edges can look stark when enlarged |
| Modern | Cleaner modern presentation without the strongest arcade treatment | Increased contrast | Bright, colorful titles where extra punch is welcome | Crushed blacks can hide shadow detail |
| Classic Arcade | Strong CRT-inspired scanline treatment | More altered color character; darker areas may tint or look muddier | Authenticity-focused players and CRT fans | Less clean color and a busier appearance |
| Modern Arcade | Scanlines with a comparatively smoother compromise | Retains more of the original color than Classic Arcade | Games combining 3D models with pre-rendered 2D backgrounds | Still a stylised filter, not a neutral image |
Default
Default is the reference point for comparing everything else. It avoids a deliberately retro overlay, making it useful when you want to inspect the game’s own pixels and colors. It can also look the sharpest or harshest on a large modern panel because the original low-resolution structure is being enlarged without the visual blending supplied by an arcade-style preset.
Modern
Modern is the contrast-oriented choice. The community description presents it as more vibrant, but warns that it can crush blacks. Check a dark corridor, night scene or shadowed character before keeping it; if nearby details merge into one black mass, use Default or Modern Arcade instead.
Classic Arcade
Classic Arcade aims for a stronger CRT impression through scanline-like treatment and a changed color character. That can visually blend angular 3D models with 2D backgrounds, but it may also make the image look messier or tint darker regions. It is best treated as an authenticity option rather than a fidelity score.
PC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minuteModern Arcade
Modern Arcade is the middle ground: it supplies scanline treatment while preserving more of the raw image’s color than Classic Arcade. The community discussion particularly favors it for PS1 games that mix polygonal characters with pre-rendered backgrounds, where a completely raw image can look disjointed and a heavy CRT treatment can obscure color.
Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
How should you tune the settings for a particular game?
Use a short, repeatable comparison rather than changing several options at once. This isolates whether the problem is geometry, filtering, contrast or simply personal taste. Test the same pause point or camera angle in each preset, because a bright outdoor scene can flatter a contrast filter while a dark interior exposes its weaknesses.
- Set 4:3 first. This removes stretching as a variable and gives you the original-shape baseline.
- Check geometry. Look at circular objects, straight horizon lines and menu text. If they are distorted, correct the aspect ratio before judging image softness.
- Compare Default and Modern Arcade. Look at text, thin lines, character faces and pre-rendered scenery. Keep Modern Arcade if the image feels less abrasive without losing important color.
- Try Classic Arcade only for a CRT look. Inspect dark corners and colored shadows; switch back if tinting or muddiness distracts you.
- Use Modern for contrast-sensitive titles. If brighter highlights help but black areas lose texture, the preset is too aggressive for that game.
- Recheck the television’s own picture mode. The console preset cannot prevent a TV from applying additional zoom, sharpening or contrast processing. Keep those display-side changes consistent while comparing presets.
Give each option enough time to show motion and static detail. Scanlines may be less noticeable on a bright menu than during scrolling gameplay, and a color shift may only become obvious in a pre-rendered background. The best choice can therefore vary by title, even when 4:3 remains the sensible geometry baseline.
Why can a PS1 game still look blurry, jagged or stretched?
Each symptom points to a different setting. Change one control at a time and return to 4:3 whenever the geometry looks wrong.
The picture looks stretched
Confirm that the game’s aspect-ratio choice is 4:3 and that the television is not set to a zoom, “wide” or “fill” mode. A console-side 4:3 selection can still be overridden by a display’s own scaling rule.
The image looks too sharp or pixelated
Default exposes more of the original pixel structure. Modern Arcade can make enlarged edges feel less severe by adding scanline treatment; Classic Arcade goes further but changes color more noticeably. These filters soften the presentation visually, not the underlying game assets.
The image looks too dark
Modern may be crushing black levels, while Classic Arcade can make darker regions look muddier or tinted. Compare Default and Modern Arcade in the same scene; if shadow detail returns, keep the less contrast-heavy preset.
The colors look wrong after enabling an arcade preset
Classic Arcade intentionally changes the color character, and Modern Arcade is designed to retain more of the original color. Use Modern Arcade or Default when color accuracy is more important than a pronounced CRT effect.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
The menu option is missing
Make sure the game is running before pressing Options; the visual controls are presented from the in-game suspend menu, not necessarily from the PS5 home screen. If your labels differ, follow the wording shown by that title. Sony states that system functionality and screen images can vary with software version, so a menu documented for one release may not look identical on another.
Also popular on Amazon
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Widely Compatible: Transform any USB-C port into a USB-A port and USB-A port into a USB-C port, and connect up a wide range of USB-C(including MacBook, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, iPhone models with USB C ports, Samsung Galaxy series, and Google Pixel series. ) and USB A devices(including external hard drives, phones, mice, printers, and more)
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
The picture is soft even on Default
That can be the expected result of enlarging an original low-resolution game on a modern panel. Default is the least deliberately altered preset, not a promise of razor-sharp modern assets. Compare it with Modern Arcade for a gentler visual blend, but do not interpret a softer image as a performance problem.
Do these settings improve frame rate or input response?
No measured evidence in the cited material shows that a visual preset adds frames, removes input lag or fixes emulation timing. The controls described by Sony and the community concern image presentation—aspect ratio, filtering, scanlines, color and contrast—so describe them as visual preferences rather than performance modes.
Changing from 4:3 to widescreen also does not establish that the game is rendering extra world geometry. It changes how the existing picture is displayed. Similarly, scanlines can make motion feel more cohesive to your eyes without changing the game’s actual frame delivery.
Recommended Free Tools
The dedicated PlayStation Classic manual lists HDMI output and 720p/480p video output for that separate legacy console (PlayStation Classic instruction manual). Those figures provide historical display context, not a PS5 specification or a guarantee about how a PS1 Classic is rendered on every television.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is the practical recommendation for different players?
- You want one sensible starting point: 4:3 plus Modern Arcade.
- You want the strongest CRT illusion: 4:3 plus Classic Arcade.
- You want the least altered image: 4:3 plus Default.
- You want extra contrast: Try Modern, but reject it if shadow detail disappears.
- You dislike side bars more than geometric distortion: Test widescreen knowingly, then return to 4:3 if circles, characters or menus look unnaturally wide.
- You play a mixed 3D-and-2D title: Start with Modern Arcade, then compare Default in a pre-rendered scene.
- You are checking image accuracy: Use Default as the baseline before judging any stylised filter.
How we picked these recommendations
The choices use the documented differences in geometry, filtering, scanline treatment, authenticity, color and contrast. Modern Arcade ranks first because it balances those factors for mixed 3D-and-2D PS1 artwork; Classic Arcade follows for CRT authenticity; Default is the neutral baseline; Modern is last because its contrast benefit comes with a documented risk of crushed blacks. The ranking is a preference framework from community analysis, not a controlled image-quality test or an official Sony verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 4:3 look like on a 16:9 television?
The game image occupies a narrower, squarer area with unused space at the left and right, often called pillarboxing. Those side areas preserve the original proportions instead of stretching the picture across the entire panel.
Are PS1 Classics on PS5 always output at 480p or 720p?
No single PS5 output figure is established by the cited material for every PS1 Classic. The 720p/480p figures in Sony’s PlayStation Classic manual describe that dedicated legacy console, not a universal PS5 rendering mode.
Why does my game show different preset names?
Visual-preset labels can differ by game and software version. One community guide lists Default, Retro Classic and Modern, while another discussion uses Classic Arcade and Modern Arcade; select the equivalent options your title actually displays.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Will the same preset look identical on every television?
Not necessarily. The console applies its visual treatment, but the television can add its own scaling, sharpening, color and contrast processing, so keep the TV’s picture mode consistent when comparing presets.
Does Modern Arcade increase resolution or frame rate?
There is no measured evidence that it raises resolution, adds frames or changes input response. It changes the presentation with scanline-style treatment and a comparatively restrained color adjustment.
Which preset is best for a game mixing 3D models and pre-rendered backgrounds?
Modern Arcade is the practical starting point because its scanlines can blend the two visual layers while retaining more color than Classic Arcade. Compare Default if you prefer to inspect the unfiltered pixels.
Can a different controller make PS1 Classics look better?
No. A PlayStation 5 wireless controller is useful for opening the Options menu and control centre, but controller choice does not alter aspect ratio, filtering, scanlines or color.
Why are there black or unused bars at the sides?
They are the expected result of preserving a 4:3 picture on a 16:9 display. Removing them with a wide or fill mode generally stretches the original geometry unless a title has a genuine widescreen rendering mode.
What should I do if the image is dark after choosing Modern?
Compare the same dark scene with Default and Modern Arcade. Modern can crush blacks, while Classic Arcade can make shadows look muddier or tinted; keep the option that preserves the detail you can actually see.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Set the game to 4:3 and start with Modern Arcade. Move to Classic Arcade for a stronger CRT character, or Default for the least processed image. Treat Modern as an optional contrast preset, and remember that none of these choices is a guaranteed frame-rate or latency upgrade.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
