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The Marseille mClassic has finally hit the UK. I broke this news recently, and we got some positive feedback about the article. Therefore, I thought it was a good idea to get hands-on and see what all the fuss is about. Now, this little device has made big claims! However, when you look at the official site, its claims are more grounded and less hype-driven.
This tiny device packs a lot of punch whilst having the ability to alter your gaming experience. Designed to improve the visuals on most old-school and modern consoles, this compact beast should leave you smiling. Whether it polishes the edges of your favourite PlayStation game, or it upscales a retro classic, it didn’t take long to impress me.
This isn’t to say that the Marseille mClassic is perfect, because it isn’t. The HDMI 1.4 limitations play havoc with HDR functionality. Accordingly, this impacts your PS4 or Xbox One experience. Furthermore, if you wish to achieve a 4K upscale, then you’ll need to find another solution. Yet, if you are comfortable with a 1080p and 60Hz output, then you’ll clap your hands with joy.
What’s in the box of the Marseille mClassic?
- The compact packaging is simple and attractive. I liked the basic imagery and the mainly monochromatic finish. Additionally, it highlights key selling points without complicating the matter.
- The Marseille mClassic is small but mighty. This simple design has a male and female HDMI slot and a switch to alter its profile. On top of this, there is a micro USB-B port to power the device.
- An HDMI extender is provided to help connect to the Nintendo Switch when docked.
- Power the device with the USB cable.
- Learn the fundamentals with the quick start guide.
Technical aspects.
The Marseille mClassic upscales your gaming images thanks to the onboard ASIC processor. When plugged in, the device draws no more than 1W of energy. As an output signal is sent from your console to your display, the device analyses any 2D frame it encounters. From here, it adds colour, contextual anti-aliasing, and intelligent sharpening. The result is upscaling within the limitation of the 1.4 HDMI functionality.
You’ll enjoy upscaling from 720p60 and 1080p60 to an impressive 1440p resolution. Word of warning, I only achieved those results when I used a compatible monitor. This may seem disappointing, but it wasn’t. Instead, there is still a noticeable improvement on your TV regardless of whether it achieves the maximum resolution or not. Alongside this, it is essential to point out that the processing is completed with zero lag. As such, you’ll enjoy new and improved visuals without a delay to your gaming experience.
Three profiles.
I was impressed with the usability of this device. Thanks to the toggled profile switch, it is easy to change how it works. If you wish, you can turn it off altogether. Alternatively, you can use the Marseille mClassic mode for “modern” consoles or the retro mode for dated machines. Whichever option you go for, there is an LED to highlight your choice.
Whenever you use the Marseille mClassic mode, the LED gives off a green hue. Whereas the retro mode switches to a rich blue finish. These distinct colours make this device straightforward to use without the problem of complicating the matter. Moreover, using the right mode is essential, as some of the upscaling results will not be to everyone’s liking.
Modernise your retro experience with the Marseille mClassic.
Where this excels is its ability to polish the shit out of older titles. Now, I’m aware that the nostalgia-induced pixelated imagery is part of the attraction. Yet, I yearn for a modern finish on some of my favourite games from my youth. The retro mode is designed for 480p content while altering its output to a 4:3 aspect ratio. On top of this, it pushes out a respectable 1440p resolution on compatible devices.
Now, I’m not going to highlight every game or machine I used this device on. Needless to say, my results were a mixed bag. When it worked, I adored the sharper lines and the richer colours. Moreover, I liked the subtlety between the original images and the upscaled results. Additionally, when the anti-aliasing feature worked, I was impressed with its clarity.
Yet, there were times when aspects of the game didn’t work. Occasionally, it would wash out essential layers and this would make it tough to understand what you needed to do. Alternatively, the deeper and richer colour palette was offensive and changed the way a scene or character looked. Luckily, though, these issues were few and far between. Consequently, the Marseille mClassic works well to improve any retro experience.
Build quality.
This small but powerful device has an old-school edge. The bulky gold and red top has a dated aesthetic. Moreover, it is wonderfully user-friendly and can be used in the majority of HDMI ports with ease. However, if you have issues, you can use the USB extender to access tough-to-reach places.
One element I liked was the low power draw. With only 1W of power needed, you can plug the USB cable into any USB port. Subsequently, this allows you to run the dongle from your Sky box, TV, console, or any mobile phone charger. This seems a small feature, but I loved how clean-cut and simple the approach was. Accordingly, it is perfect if you have a streamlined workstation.
Is the Marseille mClassic worth it?
Spending nearly £100 on visual improvements may seem a waste of money. However, if you love retro gaming, this is money well spent. Yes, you may need to invest in adapters to connect older consoles to this device, but that matters not. If you adore older games, then you’ll know it isn’t always straightforward. Yet, once you are set up, you’ll have a blast.
This tiny, but powerful dongle enhances your retro gaming experience. Unfortunately, though, the improvements are more subtle when you look at modern machines. Accordingly, this is an excellent tool to have if you play a host of consoles. However, if you don’t own an older machine, you may not experience the full benefits. I was impressed, and I cherished the improved trip down memory lane. Consequently, I recommend that you buy it here!
(More information on Marseille Inc. can be found here!)
