Graphics techniques
Software theme
This is a container group; its children are:
| Cel Shading | Cel shading, cell shading, or toon shading is a type of non-photorealistic rendering designed to make 3-D computer graphics appear to be flat by using less shading color instead of a shade gradient or tints and shades. | 2003 / 2014 | 12 games |
| ChromaDepth 3D | ChromaDepth is a patented 3D technique that takes advantage of the different wavelengths of the visible light spectrum. | 1991 / 2009 | 8 games |
| Color Clash | Games are very colorful in the play area, but they are accompanied by strong color clash effects, or the background disapears to prevent it. | 1983 / 2020 | 181 games |
| Depth fog | Uses a depth fog or similar effect, either to simulate fog or to hide rendering cut-off point. (too short) | 1994 / 2018 | 46 games |
| Dualtone | Games are self constrained to using only two colors for the play area to not experience color clash. | 1982 / 2019 | 282 games |
| Lighting and shadowing | (too short) | container group | |
| Mode 7 | Uses the SNES mode 7, any similar hardware capability on other platforms or simulates the effect on software. | 1990 / 2016 | 74 games |
| Monochromatic Foreground | Games that feature a single color for the play area's foreground graphics, eliminating strong color clash issues. The background can use multiple colors. | 1983 / 2021 | 107 games |
| Noclash Design | Colorful games that avoid color clash in the play area positioning the graphical elements in ways that prevent the issue. | 1983 / 2021 | 59 games |
| Parallax scrolling | A 2D graphics technique that gives an otherwise flat background a sense of depth by moving the background layer(s) at different speed (usually slower) than the foreground (game area). | 1982 / 2020 | 74 games |
| Photographic Backgrounds | Backgrounds are just slightly edited photographs. (too short) | 1 game | |
| Pre-rendered backgrounds | Games utilize static images or videos for environmental scenes, designed and rendered prior to gameplay. | 1996 / 2021 | 98 games |
| 3D Pulfrich Effect | Takes advantage of a binocular perception quirk whereby horizontally moving objects are seen by 1 eye moments before the other, enhanced by 1 dark lens | 1990 / 1993 | 3 games |
| Soft particles | (too short) | 2007 / 2016 | 17 games |