Hey guys! Are you looking to dive into Marvel Rivals with a different aspect ratio? Specifically, are you curious about playing in 4:3? Well, you've come to the right place! Playing in 4:3 can offer a unique visual experience and, in some cases, even improve performance. Let’s break down how you can set up Marvel Rivals in a 4:3 aspect ratio.

Understanding Aspect Ratios

Before we get started, let's quickly touch on what aspect ratios are and why you might want to change them. The aspect ratio is the relationship between the width and height of your screen. Standard widescreen is 16:9, which is what most modern monitors and TVs use. However, 4:3 was the standard for older TVs and monitors. Some gamers prefer 4:3 because it can make the screen feel more focused, and in some competitive games, it can provide a slightly different field of view or perceived performance boost.

When you're tweaking your aspect ratio, remember that different resolutions impact how the game looks and performs. Some players swear by the stretched look in 4:3, claiming it makes enemies appear larger and easier to hit. Others appreciate the cleaner, more classic feel. Ultimately, it’s all about personal preference, so experimenting is key to finding what works best for you in Marvel Rivals.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up 4:3 in Marvel Rivals

Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. Here’s how you can set up Marvel Rivals to play in a 4:3 aspect ratio. Keep in mind that the exact steps might vary slightly depending on your graphics card (NVIDIA or AMD) and your monitor settings, but this guide should cover the general process.

1. Adjusting Your Graphics Card Settings (NVIDIA)

If you have an NVIDIA graphics card, follow these steps:

• Open NVIDIA Control Panel: Right-click on your desktop and select "NVIDIA Control Panel."
• Navigate to "Adjust desktop size and position:": In the NVIDIA Control Panel, find the "Display" section and then click on "Adjust desktop size and position."
• Select "Aspect ratio:": Under the scaling options, choose "Aspect ratio." This ensures that your GPU will maintain the 4:3 aspect ratio.
• Perform scaling on: "GPU": Select "GPU" as the device to perform the scaling. This is crucial for the aspect ratio to be correctly applied.
• Override the scaling mode set by games and programs: Check the box labeled "Override the scaling mode set by games and programs." This forces the game to use the aspect ratio you've set in the control panel.
• Set your desired 4:3 resolution: Go to "Change resolution" in the NVIDIA Control Panel. Choose a 4:3 resolution such as 1280x960, 1024x768, or 800x600. Select the one that best suits your visual preference. Lower resolutions can sometimes provide a performance boost, but they might make the game look more pixelated.

2. Adjusting Your Graphics Card Settings (AMD)

If you have an AMD graphics card, here’s what you need to do:

• Open AMD Radeon Settings: Right-click on your desktop and select "AMD Radeon Settings."
• Navigate to "Display:": In the Radeon Settings, find the "Display" tab.
• Enable "GPU Scaling:": Make sure "GPU Scaling" is enabled. If it’s not, toggle it on.
• Set Scaling Mode to "Preserve aspect ratio:": Choose "Preserve aspect ratio" from the scaling mode options. This ensures that the 4:3 aspect ratio is maintained.
• Override application settings: Look for an option to override application settings and enable it. This will force the game to use the aspect ratio you’ve set in the Radeon Settings.
• Set your desired 4:3 resolution: Go to the display settings and select a 4:3 resolution like 1280x960, 1024x768, or 800x600. Pick the one that feels right for your setup. Again, lower resolutions might improve performance, but the visual quality will decrease.

3. Configuring Marvel Rivals In-Game Settings

Now that you’ve adjusted your graphics card settings, you need to configure Marvel Rivals to use the 4:3 resolution. Here’s how:

• Launch Marvel Rivals: Open the game.
• Go to Settings: Navigate to the in-game settings menu. This is usually found in the main menu or pause menu.
• Find the Display Settings: Look for the display or video settings section.
• Set Resolution: Choose the 4:3 resolution you set in your graphics card settings (e.g., 1280x960, 1024x768, or 800x600).
• Set Fullscreen: Ensure that the game is running in fullscreen mode. Borderless windowed mode might not properly apply the aspect ratio settings.
• Apply Settings: Save and apply the changes. The game should now be running in a 4:3 aspect ratio.

After applying these settings, restart the game to ensure that all changes are correctly implemented. Sometimes, the game needs a full restart to properly display the new aspect ratio.

Dealing with Potential Issues

Even with these steps, you might run into some issues. Here are a few common problems and how to troubleshoot them:

• Black Bars: If you see black bars on the sides of the screen, it means the game or your monitor isn’t correctly scaling the image. Make sure you’ve selected "Aspect ratio" or "Preserve aspect ratio" in your graphics card settings and that you’ve overridden the game’s scaling mode. Also, check your monitor settings to see if it has an option to stretch the image to fill the screen.
• Blurry Image: If the game looks blurry, it could be due to the lower resolution. Try using a higher 4:3 resolution like 1280x960. If the blurriness persists, it might just be the nature of running a lower resolution on a larger screen.
• Performance Issues: If you experience performance issues, try lowering the resolution further. Sometimes, the performance gains from running in 4:3 can be offset by the strain of scaling the image.
• Game Not Applying Settings: If the game doesn’t seem to be applying the settings, make sure you’ve restarted it after making changes. Also, double-check that you’ve set the resolution and fullscreen mode correctly in the in-game settings.

Remember, experimentation is key. Try different resolutions and settings to find what works best for your system and your personal preferences.

Why Play in 4:3?

So, why would you even want to play Marvel Rivals in 4:3? There are a few reasons:

• Performance: On older or less powerful systems, running the game at a lower resolution like 800x600 or 1024x768 can significantly improve performance. This can result in higher frame rates and smoother gameplay.
• Different Visual Experience: Some players prefer the stretched look of 4:3, claiming it makes enemies appear larger and easier to target. This can be particularly useful in fast-paced games like Marvel Rivals.
• Nostalgia: For those who grew up playing games on older monitors, playing in 4:3 can evoke a sense of nostalgia. It’s a fun way to revisit the classic gaming experience.

Conclusion

Setting up Marvel Rivals in a 4:3 aspect ratio can be a fun way to tweak your gaming experience. Whether you’re looking for a performance boost, a different visual style, or just a bit of nostalgia, following these steps should help you get the game running in your preferred aspect ratio. Remember to adjust your graphics card settings, configure the in-game settings, and troubleshoot any potential issues. Happy gaming, and I hope this guide helps you get the most out of Marvel Rivals!