For retro gamers, input lag can ruin the entire experience. When you press a button and there’s a delay before the action happens on-screen, it makes platformers feel sluggish, fighting games unresponsive, and shooters nearly unplayable. Unfortunately, input lag is a common issue when playing retro consoles on modern TVs, using emulation, or even when running games from a hard drive or flashcart.
If you’re using a modded retro console, you might notice slightly longer response times than you remember from playing on a CRT. This happens because modern TVs process video differently, emulators introduce latency, and even some flashcarts and optical drive emulators (ODEs) can add milliseconds of delay. But don’t worry—there are many ways to reduce input lag and get back that classic instant response time.
Understanding what causes input lag and how to fix it can dramatically improve your gameplay experience, making games feel as snappy as they did when they were first released. Whether you’re playing on a modded PlayStation 2, Dreamcast, SNES, or Sega Genesis, this guide will show you how to minimize input lag and get the best possible performance from your setup.
What Causes Input Lag on Modded Retro Consoles?
Input lag happens when there is a delay between pressing a button on your controller and seeing the response on screen. While modern consoles and TVs are designed to minimize this as much as possible, retro systems weren’t built for modern displays and processing methods. Some of the biggest culprits of input lag in modded retro consoles include:
- Modern HDTVs and Upscalers – Many modern TVs have high input lag, especially when processing analog video signals.
- Wireless Controllers – Older wireless controllers and even some modern Bluetooth adapters add milliseconds of delay.
- Emulation and Softmods – Running games via software emulation (like OPL on PS2 or homebrew emulators on Wii) can introduce lag due to software processing.
- Video Converters – Cheap HDMI converters and scalers can add several frames of delay before the signal reaches your TV.
- Slow Storage Devices – Flashcarts, USB drives, or HDDs with slow read speeds can cause small but noticeable lag spikes.
How to Reduce Input Lag on a Modded Retro Console
1. Use a Low-Lag Display or a CRT TV
One of the biggest sources of input lag is modern HDTVs. While retro consoles were designed for CRT televisions, modern TVs process video differently, adding anywhere from 5ms to over 100ms of lag.
✅ Best Solution: Play on a CRT TV whenever possible. These displays have near-zero lag and display retro games as they were meant to be seen.
✅ Alternative: If you must use an HDTV, enable Game Mode to reduce lag. Some TVs also have “PC Mode”, which further reduces latency.
✅ Best Low-Lag HDTVs for Retro Gaming: Certain models, like the LG OLED series or Sony X900H, have less than 10ms of input lag in Game Mode.
2. Use a High-Quality Upscaler Instead of Cheap HDMI Converters
If you’re using a modded console with HDMI output or an upscaler, the quality of the scaler makes a huge difference in input lag. Some cheap HDMI converters can add 3-5 frames of delay, making games feel sluggish.
✅ Best Low-Lag Video Solutions:
- RetroTINK 2X/5X – Converts analog signals to HDMI with almost zero lag.
- OSSC (Open Source Scan Converter) – A lag-free solution for upscaling RGB video.
- MiSTer FPGA – If you’re emulating, MiSTer FPGA simulates original hardware with ultra-low lag.
❌ Avoid Cheap HDMI Adapters – Adapters like the “Pound HDMI Cable” or “Hyperkin HDMI Adapter” can introduce lag due to poor video processing.
3. Use Wired Controllers Instead of Wireless
Wireless controllers—especially Bluetooth-based ones—can add extra input delay. Even high-quality Bluetooth controllers introduce 4-8ms of lag, which is noticeable in fast-paced games.
✅ Best Low-Lag Controller Solutions:
- Use original wired controllers whenever possible.
- If using wireless, 2.4GHz RF controllers (like the 8BitDo 2.4G series) have much lower lag than Bluetooth.
- Avoid Bluetooth-to-USB adapters unless they have low-latency modes.
4. Optimize Storage for Modded Consoles
If you’re running games from a USB, SD card, or hard drive, the read speed of the storage device can impact input lag.
✅ Best Storage Solutions for Low-Lag Gaming:
- For PS2 OPL Users: Use an internal HDD instead of USB (USB 1.1 on PS2 is slow).
- For Dreamcast GDEMU Users: Use a fast SD card (Class 10 or UHS-1) for best performance.
- For Emulation on Wii: Use a high-speed USB flash drive instead of an SD card for faster load times.
❌ Avoid slow storage devices, as they increase load times and may cause lag spikes in some games.
5. Configure Emulators for Low Latency
If you’re playing games through homebrew emulators on a modded console, certain settings can significantly reduce input lag.
✅ Best Emulator Settings for Low Lag:
- Disable V-Sync – Reduces lag, but may introduce screen tearing.
- Use “Frame Delay” or “Hard GPU Sync” in RetroArch – This helps keep emulation response times low.
- Set Audio Latency to Lowest Possible Setting – Higher audio buffers increase lag.
- Use a 60Hz Mode (If Available) – Some PAL games run at 50Hz and feel slower than their NTSC counterparts.
6. Play Games in Their Original Region Format
Believe it or not, playing a game in the wrong video format can increase lag. For example, European PAL games run at 50Hz instead of 60Hz, meaning the screen refreshes slower than NTSC games, causing sluggish response times.
✅ Best Practice:
- If possible, play NTSC versions of games instead of PAL.
- If using a modded console, force NTSC mode for a smoother experience.
7. Check If Your Modded Console Supports Overclocking
Some retro consoles can be overclocked to reduce lag and improve performance. This is especially useful for games that originally had bad frame rates.
✅ Best Consoles to Overclock for Reduced Lag:
- Nintendo 64 – Overclocking can make GoldenEye 007 and Perfect Dark run much smoother.
- Dreamcast – Overclocking improves frame rates in certain homebrew games.
- Game Boy Advance – Overclocking helps in Castlevania and Metroid titles, which had slowdowns on original hardware.
Overclocking can increase heat, so make sure your console has proper cooling before attempting it.
Final Thoughts: Is Input Lag Fixable?
Absolutely! By using a low-lag display, a good upscaler, wired controllers, and optimizing your mods, you can drastically reduce input lag and make retro games feel responsive again. If you grew up playing on a CRT, you’ll instantly notice the difference when switching to a properly optimized setup.
Have you ever struggled with input lag in retro games? What fixes worked best for you? Share your experiences in the comments and let’s help more gamers play lag-free!