That said, each device comes with its own red power cable which, if you’ve got a standard USB slot in your TV, monitor, or nearby wall, can easily be hooked up without the need for additional cables.
In addition, if you’re using these things with the Switch specifically, Marseille has also supplied a short HDMI adapter, since plugging the mClassic directly into the back of the Switch dock simply isn’t possible thanks to the limited space available. Adding the adapter allows the mClassic to sit just outside the dock, which also makes it easier to toggle the three processing modes via a small switch on the side.
mClassic RGB – What’s the Difference?
Now, let’s take a closer look at what each of these dongles actually do…
mClassic Original (Red)
- mClassic Original Modes
- Mode 1 (Unprocessed), Mode 2 (Switch), Mode 3 (Retro)
The red mClassic Original dongle is capable of upscaling the 720p / 60fps and 1080p / 60fps signals from the Switch up to a maximum of 1440p. The results are certainly visible – just – with the second of its three processing modes implementing some subtle sharpening and anti-aliasing in addition to the basic upscaling. The last mode, on the other hand, is designed primarily for retro gaming, and forces a 4:3 aspect ratio.
We’ve laid things out in the below images from Sid Meier’s Civilization VII. The left image is mode 1 (unprocessed), middle is mode 2 (Switch) and right is mode 3 (Retro).
Mode 2 does smooth out the rough edges somewhat with some anti-aliasing and depth-of-field processing in addition to upscaling at 1440p, but it’s an incredibly subtle effect that’s really only discernible when viewed side-by-side with mode 1. It also slightly boosts the overall saturation of the colours, and while this isn’t particularly egregious in this instance (unlike the blue model – more on that later), it’s nevertheless a slight downgrade from the unprocessed mode.
Mode 3, of course, implements the 4:3 aspect ratio for retro games, but also includes everything from mode 2, including the upscaling, smoothing, and depth-of-field processing. Regardless of which mode you select, gameplay lag is thankfully at an absolute minimum, and we didn’t notice anything worth highlighting.
Out of all three mClassic devices, the original is one that we could almost make a case for if you’re looking for something to boost visual clarity on your Switch or retro consoles. The improvements provided are minimal, to be sure, but it’s definitely there. If you’re not keen on upgrading to the Switch 2 when it launches this year, this might actually be a sound way to future-proof your current Switch for another couple of years or so.
mClassic Switch (Blue)
- mClassic Switch Modes
- Mode 1 (Switch OG), Mode 2 (Switch Enhance), Mode 3 (Switch Enhance+)
The new mClassic Switch essentially takes Mode 2 from the mClassic original and pushes things even further, with enhancements theoretically designed to improve your experience on the Switch specifically. Mode 1 on the blue dongle is the exact same as mode 2 on the red, implementing 1440p upscaling, anti-aliasing, minor colour saturation, and the rest of it. Modes 2 and 3 add in colour filters that are meant to boost immersion of games depending on their colour and lighting, with mode 2 designed primarily for lighter games, and mode 3 for darker.
The problem is that neither mode looks even remotely good. Mode 2 goes overboard with the colour saturation, intending to replicate the look of the Switch OLED on the big screen, but instead resulting in an image that looks completely overblown. Blacks are much deeper, and even white levels are muted, turn them into a more muddy, grey colour. We understand the intention to use this on brighter, more vibrant games, but even those can have darker moments, and it’s here where you get unprecedented loss in detail thanks to the darker colours.
Mode 3 is the opposite. You’ve still got an increase in colour saturation here, but the overall brightness has been dialled up and the actual hue of the colours looks completely different. It’s a bit closer to the output from Mode 1 and therefore not quite as offensive as Mode 2, but it still doesn’t look very good.
The filters provided by modes 2 and 3 are, frankly, just not very nice to look at. Given that mode 1 on the mClassic Switch is the same as mode 2 on the mClassic original, you’d be better off just going for the latter and ditching those dreadful filters for an upscaled image that’s more faithful to the native Switch display.
mClassic Retro (Green)
- mClassic Retro Modes
- Mode 1 (Retro OG), Mode 2 (Vintage Retro), Mode 3 (Vintage Retro+)
Finally, the mClassic Retro looks to give you a more authentic take on older classics by applying more colour filters to the screen, just like its blue sibling. Here, mode 1 is the same as mode 3 on the red, offering up the same 1440p experience with the added 4:3 aspect ratio. The same can be said for modes 2 and 3; all of them apply the same processing capabilities.
When you switch over to mode 2, however, a filter is applied that heavily desaturates the colours on-screen, theoretically giving you a more ‘vintage’ look to your game. This might be somewhat valid for certain games, but for most, the resulting image looks incredibly washed out and far too bright.
Mode 3 isn’t quite so bad and darkens the overall image slightly when compared to mode 2. It’s still not as good as the original output, but it’s not terrible.
The important thing with the mClassic Retro, however, is that unless you have a modded retro console that supports HDMI right out the gate, you’re going to need some sort of generic SD to HDMI adaptor in order to actually make this thing work at all. Marseille’s marketing for the RGB range focuses quite a lot on the ‘plug and play’ aspect, but for the green Retro device at least, this simply isn’t the case unless you’re already in a position in which you can play old consoles on a modern TV.
Though technical specifications for the upcoming Switch 2 have yet to be officially confirmed, it’s said to boast native 1080p resolution with added DLSS upscaling. Given the timing, it’s tough to know exactly who these mClassic devices are for; especially at £99 for the red and £78 each for the blue and green.
We struggled to recommend the mClassic Original back in 2021, and that was with the assumption that Nintendo itself was about to coast another handful of years without the previously rumoured ‘Switch Pro’. We know that the Switch 2 is coming later this year, so if you’re someone who’s eyeing one up on day one, the mClassic isn’t a sound purchase in 2025. And retro enthusiasts looking to get the best from their old consoles won’t be satisfied with the results, either.
mClassic RGB Range – The Verdict
If for some reason you’re dead set on getting one of the mClassic devices, then the red Original is probably best. But even that isn’t a recommendation given the asking price and the incredibly subtle differences between the three modes available. Then again, 1440p output with minor image sharpening isn’t to be sniffed at.
As for the ‘new’ Switch blue and Retro green, you’re best off avoiding these entirely. Mode 1 on both devices can be found on the mClassic original, offering up exactly the same processing capabilities. The only extras you’re getting are some genuinely awful colour filters that do nothing but distort the original output. It doesn’t look good – quite the opposite.
The samples for this review were provided by Marseille.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
That said, each device comes with its own red power cable which, if you’ve got a standard USB slot in your TV, monitor, or nearby wall, can easily be hooked up without the need for additional cables.
In addition, if you’re using these things with the Switch specifically, Marseille has also supplied a short HDMI adapter, since plugging the mClassic directly into the back of the Switch dock simply isn’t possible thanks to the limited space available. Adding the adapter allows the mClassic to sit just outside the dock, which also makes it easier to toggle the three processing modes via a small switch on the side.
mClassic RGB - What's the Difference?
Now, let’s take a closer look at what each of these dongles actually do…
mClassic Original (Red)
- mClassic Original Modes
- Mode 1 (Unprocessed), Mode 2 (Switch), Mode 3 (Retro)
The red mClassic Original dongle is capable of upscaling the 720p / 60fps and 1080p / 60fps signals from the Switch up to a maximum of 1440p. The results are certainly visible – just – with the second of its three processing modes implementing some subtle sharpening and anti-aliasing in addition to the basic upscaling. The last mode, on the other hand, is designed primarily for retro gaming, and forces a 4:3 aspect ratio.
We've laid things out in the below images from Sid Meier's Civilization VII. The left image is mode 1 (unprocessed), middle is mode 2 (Switch) and right is mode 3 (Retro).
Mode 2 does smooth out the rough edges somewhat with some anti-aliasing and depth-of-field processing in addition to upscaling at 1440p, but it's an incredibly subtle effect that's really only discernible when viewed side-by-side with mode 1. It also slightly boosts the overall saturation of the colours, and while this isn't particularly egregious in this instance (unlike the blue model – more on that later), it's nevertheless a slight downgrade from the unprocessed mode.
Mode 3, of course, implements the 4:3 aspect ratio for retro games, but also includes everything from mode 2, including the upscaling, smoothing, and depth-of-field processing. Regardless of which mode you select, gameplay lag is thankfully at an absolute minimum, and we didn't notice anything worth highlighting.
Out of all three mClassic devices, the original is one that we could almost make a case for if you're looking for something to boost visual clarity on your Switch or retro consoles. The improvements provided are minimal, to be sure, but it's definitely there. If you're not keen on upgrading to the Switch 2 when it launches this year, this might actually be a sound way to future-proof your current Switch for another couple of years or so.
mClassic Switch (Blue)
- mClassic Switch Modes
- Mode 1 (Switch OG), Mode 2 (Switch Enhance), Mode 3 (Switch Enhance+)
The new mClassic Switch essentially takes Mode 2 from the mClassic original and pushes things even further, with enhancements theoretically designed to improve your experience on the Switch specifically. Mode 1 on the blue dongle is the exact same as mode 2 on the red, implementing 1440p upscaling, anti-aliasing, minor colour saturation, and the rest of it. Modes 2 and 3 add in colour filters that are meant to boost immersion of games depending on their colour and lighting, with mode 2 designed primarily for lighter games, and mode 3 for darker.
The problem is that neither mode looks even remotely good. Mode 2 goes overboard with the colour saturation, intending to replicate the look of the Switch OLED on the big screen, but instead resulting in an image that looks completely overblown. Blacks are much deeper, and even white levels are muted, turn them into a more muddy, grey colour. We understand the intention to use this on brighter, more vibrant games, but even those can have darker moments, and it's here where you get unprecedented loss in detail thanks to the darker colours.
Mode 3 is the opposite. You've still got an increase in colour saturation here, but the overall brightness has been dialled up and the actual hue of the colours looks completely different. It's a bit closer to the output from Mode 1 and therefore not quite as offensive as Mode 2, but it still doesn't look very good.
The filters provided by modes 2 and 3 are, frankly, just not very nice to look at. Given that mode 1 on the mClassic Switch is the same as mode 2 on the mClassic original, you'd be better off just going for the latter and ditching those dreadful filters for an upscaled image that's more faithful to the native Switch display.
mClassic Retro (Green)
- mClassic Retro Modes
- Mode 1 (Retro OG), Mode 2 (Vintage Retro), Mode 3 (Vintage Retro+)
Finally, the mClassic Retro looks to give you a more authentic take on older classics by applying more colour filters to the screen, just like its blue sibling. Here, mode 1 is the same as mode 3 on the red, offering up the same 1440p experience with the added 4:3 aspect ratio. The same can be said for modes 2 and 3; all of them apply the same processing capabilities.
When you switch over to mode 2, however, a filter is applied that heavily desaturates the colours on-screen, theoretically giving you a more 'vintage' look to your game. This might be somewhat valid for certain games, but for most, the resulting image looks incredibly washed out and far too bright.
Mode 3 isn't quite so bad and darkens the overall image slightly when compared to mode 2. It's still not as good as the original output, but it's not terrible.
The important thing with the mClassic Retro, however, is that unless you have a modded retro console that supports HDMI right out the gate, you're going to need some sort of generic SD to HDMI adaptor in order to actually make this thing work at all. Marseille's marketing for the RGB range focuses quite a lot on the 'plug and play' aspect, but for the green Retro device at least, this simply isn't the case unless you're already in a position in which you can play old consoles on a modern TV.
Though technical specifications for the upcoming Switch 2 have yet to be officially confirmed, it's said to boast native 1080p resolution with added DLSS upscaling. Given the timing, it's tough to know exactly who these mClassic devices are for; especially at £99 for the red and £78 each for the blue and green.
We struggled to recommend the mClassic Original back in 2021, and that was with the assumption that Nintendo itself was about to coast another handful of years without the previously rumoured 'Switch Pro'. We know that the Switch 2 is coming later this year, so if you're someone who's eyeing one up on day one, the mClassic isn't a sound purchase in 2025. And retro enthusiasts looking to get the best from their old consoles won't be satisfied with the results, either.
mClassic RGB Range - The Verdict
If for some reason you're dead set on getting one of the mClassic devices, then the red Original is probably best. But even that isn't a recommendation given the asking price and the incredibly subtle differences between the three modes available. Then again, 1440p output with minor image sharpening isn't to be sniffed at.
As for the 'new' Switch blue and Retro green, you're best off avoiding these entirely. Mode 1 on both devices can be found on the mClassic original, offering up exactly the same processing capabilities. The only extras you're getting are some genuinely awful colour filters that do nothing but distort the original output. It doesn't look good - quite the opposite.
The samples for this review were provided by Marseille.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
