A nice stop-gap until the Switch 2
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Before testing the Marseille mClassic, I was skeptical about the Nintendo Switch accessory. Simply put, I wasn’t convinced it could improve the console’s graphics using just HDMI, as it felt like a big ask for a relatively small dongle. Yet, here I am six months later with the device permanently wired into my setup, and I don’t think I could play the latest Ninty releases without it.
The $15 discount should make your wallet a bit happier, but I genuinely think this device is one of thebest Nintendo Switch accessoriesfor anyone using a 4Kgaming TV. Is it an investment? Absolutely, but it’s going to give some of the greatest outings on thegaming handhelda glow-up. I’ve been slowly making my way through Super Mario Odyssey with my partner (yes, I know, we should have completed it months ago), and we immediately noticed the difference one night when I’d accidentally switched the upscaler off.
Marseille mClassic |$99.99$84.99 at Amazon
Buy it if:
✅You play Switch using the TV✅You can’t stand low-res graphics✅You’ve got a large displayDon’t buy it if:
❌You only play in handheld mode❌You can’t fussed about visuals
Should you buy the Marseille mClassic?
The mClassic won’t be for everyone, and even with a discount applied, Marseille’s device is on the pricey side. Players who are using a biggaming monitoror TV are probably going to benefit from this dongle the most, as Switch visuals can look a bit ragged sprawled across a large screen at 4K. More often than not, external solutions are much better at upscaling to UDH than a display’s built-in hardware, not to mention the company’s anti-aliasing algorithm goes a step further to smooth things out.
It’s also worth noting that the mClassic isn’tjusta Nintendo Switch accessory, and you’ll be able to plug in almost anything that uses an HDMI cable. It even has a dedicated mode forretro consolesthat will preserve things like aspect ratio while scaling things up, which will come in handy if you like firing up the PS2 or OG Xbox from time to time. That said, I personally wouldn’t use this device for older 2D games with an 8-bit or 16-bit aesthetic, as the anti-aliasing will mess with the whole blocky vibe from that era.
Ultimately, the Marseille mClassic won’t save Nintendo’s handheld from being inevitably sent to the retirement home. However, it will keep visuals looking that bit nicer until theSwitch 2arrives armed with modern hardware. At least that’s if it provides native 4K graphics, as I might still end up using this dongle if that doesn’t pan out.
Looking for more accessories? Swing by thebest Nintendo Switch controllerandbest Nintendo Switch casefor nifty add-ons. Alternatively, take a peek at thebest Steam Deck docks if you’ve upgraded toValve’s handheld.
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I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.
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