Koko-aio shader discussions and updates

RetroArch Additions Shaders
#1920

Hi I’m not really sure what I was doing wrong, but everything is back to normal!

GigaWing 2 (USA)-250715-112012
GigaWing 2 (USA)-250715-1120121920×1080 1.85 MB
back to how I love it, thanks!

I’m a bit confused about the “Faster” presets though as they seemingly do not work (or I’m setting it up wrong)

For my settings I start with Monitor-Balanced, turn off bezel (set straight bezel and change frame alignment to get rid of the top and bottom bezels for games where I want bezel), turn off curvature, set global zoom to 1 to get rid of the 1 pixel ambilight on top and bottom, save as advanced preset.

this is what I end up with:

shaders = "17"
shader0 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/colortools_and_ntsc_pass.slang"
alias0 = "colortools_and_ntsc_pass"
wrap_mode0 = "mirrored_repeat"
mipmap_input0 = "false"
filter_linear0 = "true"
float_framebuffer0 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer0 = "false"
scale_type_x0 = "source"
scale_x0 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y0 = "source"
scale_y0 = "1.000000"
shader1 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/fxaa.slang"
alias1 = "upscale_pass"
wrap_mode1 = "mirrored_repeat"
mipmap_input1 = "true"
filter_linear1 = "true"
float_framebuffer1 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer1 = "false"
scale_type_x1 = "source"
scale_x1 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y1 = "source"
scale_y1 = "1.000000"
shader2 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/shift_and_bleed.slang"
alias2 = "shift_and_bleed_pass"
wrap_mode2 = "mirrored_repeat"
mipmap_input2 = "false"
filter_linear2 = "true"
float_framebuffer2 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer2 = "false"
scale_type_x2 = "source"
scale_x2 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y2 = "source"
scale_y2 = "1.000000"
shader3 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/in_glow_x.slang"
alias3 = "in_glow_pass_x"
wrap_mode3 = "clamp_to_edge"
mipmap_input3 = "false"
filter_linear3 = "true"
float_framebuffer3 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer3 = "false"
scale_type_x3 = "source"
scale_x3 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y3 = "source"
scale_y3 = "1.000000"
shader4 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/in_glow_y.slang"
alias4 = "in_glow_pass"
wrap_mode4 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input4 = "false"
filter_linear4 = "true"
float_framebuffer4 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer4 = "false"
scale_type_x4 = "source"
scale_x4 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y4 = "source"
scale_y4 = "1.000000"
shader5 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/halo_pre_gamma.slang"
alias5 = "halo_pre_gamma_pass"
wrap_mode5 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input5 = "false"
filter_linear5 = "true"
float_framebuffer5 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer5 = "false"
scale_type_x5 = "source"
scale_x5 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y5 = "source"
scale_y5 = "1.000000"
shader6 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/halo.slang"
alias6 = "halo_pass"
wrap_mode6 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input6 = "false"
filter_linear6 = "true"
float_framebuffer6 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer6 = "false"
scale_type_x6 = "source"
scale_x6 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y6 = "source"
scale_y6 = "1.000000"
shader7 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/avglum_pass.slang"
alias7 = "avglum_pass"
wrap_mode7 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input7 = "false"
filter_linear7 = "true"
float_framebuffer7 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer7 = "false"
scale_type_x7 = "source"
scale_x7 = "0.500000"
scale_type_y7 = "source"
scale_y7 = "0.500000"
shader8 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/reflection_blur_pre.slang"
alias8 = "reflected_blurred_pass_pre"
wrap_mode8 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input8 = "false"
filter_linear8 = "true"
float_framebuffer8 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer8 = "false"
scale_type_x8 = "source"
scale_x8 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y8 = "source"
scale_y8 = "1.000000"
shader9 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/reflection_blur.slang"
alias9 = "reflected_blurred_pass"
wrap_mode9 = "mirrored_repeat"
mipmap_input9 = "false"
filter_linear9 = "true"
float_framebuffer9 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer9 = "false"
scale_type_x9 = "source"
scale_x9 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y9 = "source"
scale_y9 = "1.000000"
shader10 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/bloom_pass_1.slang"
alias10 = "bloom_pass_1"
wrap_mode10 = "mirrored_repeat"
mipmap_input10 = "false"
filter_linear10 = "true"
float_framebuffer10 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer10 = "false"
scale_type_x10 = "source"
scale_x10 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y10 = "source"
scale_y10 = "1.000000"
shader11 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/bloom_pass_2.slang"
alias11 = "bloom_pass_2"
wrap_mode11 = "clamp_to_edge"
mipmap_input11 = "false"
filter_linear11 = "true"
float_framebuffer11 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer11 = "false"
scale_type_x11 = "source"
scale_x11 = "0.500000"
scale_type_y11 = "source"
scale_y11 = "0.500000"
shader12 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/bloom_pass_3.slang"
alias12 = "bloom_pass_3"
wrap_mode12 = "clamp_to_edge"
mipmap_input12 = "false"
filter_linear12 = "true"
float_framebuffer12 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer12 = "false"
scale_type_x12 = "source"
scale_x12 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y12 = "source"
scale_y12 = "1.000000"
shader13 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/bloom_pass_4.slang"
alias13 = "bloom_pass_final"
wrap_mode13 = "mirrored_repeat"
mipmap_input13 = "false"
filter_linear13 = "true"
float_framebuffer13 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer13 = "false"
scale_type_x13 = "source"
scale_x13 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y13 = "source"
scale_y13 = "1.000000"
shader14 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/ambi_temporal_pass.slang"
alias14 = "ambi_temporal_pass"
wrap_mode14 = "clamp_to_border"
mipmap_input14 = "false"
filter_linear14 = "true"
float_framebuffer14 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer14 = "false"
scale_type_x14 = "absolute"
scale_x14 = "96"
scale_type_y14 = "absolute"
scale_y14 = "64"
shader15 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/helper_pass.slang"
alias15 = "helper_pass"
wrap_mode15 = "mirrored_repeat"
mipmap_input15 = "false"
filter_linear15 = "true"
float_framebuffer15 = "true"
srgb_framebuffer15 = "false"
scale_type_x15 = "absolute"
scale_x15 = "128"
scale_type_y15 = "absolute"
scale_y15 = "128"
shader16 = "../../roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/shaders-ng/final_pass.slang"
alias16 = "final_pass"
wrap_mode16 = "clamp_to_edge"
mipmap_input16 = "false"
filter_linear16 = "true"
float_framebuffer16 = "false"
srgb_framebuffer16 = "false"
scale_type_x16 = "viewport"
scale_x16 = "1.000000"
scale_type_y16 = "viewport"
scale_y16 = "1.000000"
GAMMA_OUT = "0.350000"
DO_CCORRECTION = "1.000000"
IN_GLOW_POWER = "1.300000"
LUMINANCE = "0.200000"
TEMPERATURE = "7200.000000"
DO_SHIFT_RGB = "1.000000"
OFFSET_STRENGTH = "0.400000"
DECON_GX = "0.000000"
DO_IN_GLOW = "1.000000"
IN_GLOW_W = "-0.800000"
IN_GLOW_H = "7.000000"
DO_PIXELGRID = "1.000000"
PIXELGRID_OVERMASK = "1.100000"
PIXELGRID_MIN_H = "0.300000"
PIXELGRID_MAX_H = "0.700000"
PIXELGRID_GAMMA_H = "5.199999"
PIXELGRID_OFFSET_CORE = "0.120000"
PIXELGRID_H_PRST = "1.000000"
PIXELGRID_MAX_W = "0.400001"
PIXELGRID_GAMMA_W = "1.500006"
PIXELGRID_BASAL_GRID = "0.020000"
PIXELGRID_Y_MASK = "0.400000"
PIXELGRID_Y_MASK_COORDS = "0.000000"
PIXELGRID_Y_MASK_HEIGHT = "1.000000"
PIXELGRID_Y_MASK_SHIFT = "0.150000"
PIXELGRID_Y_MASK_STEEP = "1.000000"
PIXELGRID_Y_MASK_ON_WHITE = "0.000000"
PIXELGRID_Y_SPARK = "6.000000"
DO_HALO = "1.000000"
HALO_NO_PREGAIN = "1.000000"
HALO_POWER = "0.500000"
HALO_SHARPNESS = "7.000000"
HALO_GAMMA = "1.800000"
HALO_GAMMA_OUT = "1.300000"
HALO_VS_SCAN = "1.000000"
DO_BLOOM = "1.000000"
BLOOM_MIX = "0.400000"
BLOOM_GAMMA_OUT = "1.200000"
BLOOM_POWER = "1.550000"
BLOOM_EYE_ADPT_SRT = "0.600000"
BLOOM_EYE_INERTIA = "750.000000"
BEZEL_USE_STRAIGHT = "1.000000"
BEZEL_FRAME_ZOOM = "0.200000"
BEZEL_REFL_STRENGTH = "0.370000"
BEZEL_DIFFUSION_STR = "0.150000"
DO_GLOBAL_SHZO = "1.000000"
GLOBAL_ZOOM = "1.000000"
DO_VIGNETTE = "1.000000"
V_SIZE = "1.080000"
V_SHAPE = "0.800000"
DO_SPOT = "1.000000"
S_POWER = "0.067000"
textures = "monitor_body_curved;monitor_body_straight;bg_under;bg_over;backdrop;sideshade"
monitor_body_curved = "/roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/textures/monitor_body_curved.png"
monitor_body_curved_mipmap = "true"
monitor_body_curved_linear = "true"
monitor_body_curved_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_edge"
monitor_body_straight = "/roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/textures/monitor_body_straight.png"
monitor_body_straight_mipmap = "true"
monitor_body_straight_linear = "true"
monitor_body_straight_wrap_mode = "clamp_to_edge"
bg_under = "/roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/textures/background_under.png"
bg_under_mipmap = "false"
bg_under_linear = "true"
bg_under_wrap_mode = "mirrored_repeat"
bg_over = "/roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/textures/background_over.png"
bg_over_mipmap = "false"
bg_over_linear = "true"
bg_over_wrap_mode = "mirrored_repeat"
backdrop = "/roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/textures/backdrop.jpg"
backdrop_mipmap = "false"
backdrop_linear = "true"
backdrop_wrap_mode = "mirrored_repeat"
sideshade = "/roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/textures/side_shade-helper.png"
sideshade_mipmap = "false"
sideshade_linear = "true"
sideshade_wrap_mode = "mirrored_repeat"

Regardless if I use monitor-balanced from presets-ng or presets_hiresgames_fast, the resulting saved shader is the exact same using the paths from presets-ng not presets_hiresgames_fast (I compared in winmerge). These are from main on gh, d/l’d 11/07/2025 if that matters.

Am I doing something wrong or is this a bug?

#1921

What do you mean by that?

I don’t know how winmerge works, but looking at the scale_x/y1, they seem to work as expected; since that parameter is 2.0 on “normal presets”, while turns to 1.0 on “fast” ones.

The fact that you are unable to spot a visual difference is actually a good thing; what about FPS?

#1922

Sorry, english is not my 1st language, I try to illustrate better below.

case 1) I open Monitor-balanced from koko-aio-main/presets-ng I do all my changes I save the preset

case2) I open Monitor-balanced from koko-aio-main/presets-hiresgames-faster I do all my changes I save the preset

The resulting shaders presets are identical Shouldn’t the preset made from faster directory have some things changed that “make” it faster?

#1923

Yeah, I understood that, but please double check for scale_x1 and scale_y1

#1924

I recreated the shaders as I outlined above and the resulting files are still identical, neither of which contain parameters scale_x1 scale_y1

there is only single occurence of the parameters in all shaders if I’m grepping it right

rp5:~ # cat /roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/Presets-ng/*.slangp | grep scale_x1
rp5:~ # cat /roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/Presets_HiresGames_Fast/*.slangp | grep scale_x1
// 720 pixel width and about 280p; this means that for P-UAE you can use scale_x1 = 1.0
              scale_x14 = 96
rp5:~ # cat /roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/Presets-ng/*.slangp | grep scale_y1
rp5:~ # cat /roms/shaders/koko-aio-slang-main/Presets_HiresGames_Fast/*.slangp | grep scale_y1
// and only scale_y1 = 2.0 is needed.
              scale_y14 = 64
#1925

It seems this time you saved them as “simple” presets.

you can also verify here btw, this is a fast preset and scale is 1x, instead of 2x

Screenshot_20250715_125735
Screenshot_20250715_1257351105×891 396 KB

1 Like
#1926

Damn you’re right, sorry!

Ok I remade both presets, making extra sure to disable Save as simple toggle. And now the parameters are there.

image
image1165×53 2.52 KB
right side is the faster preset. oh and winmerge is like diff command with gui for windows.

I apologize for wasting your time, it was entirely a PEBKAC situation.

1 Like
#1927

Look, you should usually prefer simple presets, because since they carry just changed parameters, they are more robust if the source shader is updated; also, they don’t preclude you from using the fast presets.

They will almost look identical to diffs, but they will reference a different “not upscaled to 2x” preset in the fast version.

If you will, you should create simple presets starting from a shipped one (read, saving as simple starting from a not-simple, will not work ofc)

1 Like
#1928

Oh, thanks for the advice, I will try that.

I was just following the official Rocknix wiki https://rocknix.org/configure/shaders/ which states:

Step 3: Save your new shader preset¶

Select "Save" in the shaders menu.

At the top of the list, set "Simple Presets" to off. Then choose "Save Shader Preset As" and name the shader. Press the enter key on the on-screen keyboard to save the preset. Exit Retroarch normally via the hotkey preset, or by backing out to the main menu and choosing "Quit Retroarch"
#1929

I don’t know why they are suggesting that…

#1930

The faster presets are great!

At RP5’s resolution I can’t really tell the visual difference they both look fantastic, but the faster one holds 60 fps even when I let off a bomb in akai katana or deathsmiles which is where the normal preset usually dips to 55-57

akatana-250715-121556
akatana-250715-1215561920×1080 1.8 MB
that’s with the faster preset, even looking at the screenshot and screenshot of normal preset at 1440p desktop monitor I can’t really tell the difference.

1 Like
#1931

Since you’re in a tweak mood, please document yourself on “delta render” to spare battery juice, see docs-ng.md in the shader directory or online

1 Like
#1932

Interesting,

so I copied the config-user-optional-template.txt to config-user-optional.txt and removed the 2 forward slashes from before #define DELTA_RENDER that should be all that’s needed to enable it? Is there a way to confirm it is indeed enabled besides comparing power draw or something like that? Do I need to remake the presets?

#1933

Yeah, that’s perfect, you don’t need to remake the presets.

Just doing that will enable delta render with the default values.

On my rp5, I’ve the following for minimum power consumption:

#define DELTA_RENDER 
#define DELTA_RENDER_FORCE_REFRESH   60.0 // Delta render force refresh interval.
#define DELTA_RENDER_CHECK_AREA      3.0 // Delta render area size.

…maybe 60.0 is a bit high; if an artifacts is present on screen, it may take a full second to recover, but I’m ok with that, you could try 10.0 or 20.0.

However, Delta rernder doesn’t play nice with high resolution content, because koko-aio presets swaps scanlines on every frame, so the screen content always changes.

On low resolution content I’m sure you’ll see a much improved battery consumption; puzzle games give the best gain, ofc, but i’m usually always getting more than 10hrs on low resolution content.

2 Likes
#1934

Hi, amazing shaders!! just a question, how can I disable the “glow” that appears in the top screen of the gameboy color/advance preset? I want true black backgrounds. Thank you.

RetroArch mGBA 0.11-dev c9bbf28 7_21_2025 1_18_46 AM
RetroArch mGBA 0.11-dev c9bbf28 7_21_2025 1_18_46 AM1920×1080 627 KB

1 Like
#1935

Hi there!

Does setting “Vignette enable” and “Spot Enable” both to 0.0 “fix” that for you?

1 Like
#1936

It did! thank you very much <3

1 Like