Undertale, the beloved indie RPG, captivates players with its unique storytelling and retro visuals. However, many players find themselves puzzled when trying to switch the game to fullscreen mode, especially since it launches in windowed mode by default on PC and Mac. This guide will walk you through various methods to enjoy Undertale in fullscreen, enhancing your gaming experience.
Fullscreen on Windows
For Windows users, there are several straightforward methods to toggle fullscreen mode in Undertale:
1. Press F4
Simply pressing the F4 key while the game is running can switch between windowed and fullscreen modes. This is the most direct method and works on most standard keyboards.
2. Use Fn + F4
On laptops, especially those with compact keyboards, the function keys may have dual purposes. If pressing F4 alone doesn’t work, try holding down the Fn key (usually located at the bottom left of the keyboard) and then pressing F4.
3. Try Alt + Enter
Another universal shortcut is Alt + Enter. This combination is commonly used in many applications to toggle fullscreen mode and should work with Undertale as well.
Fullscreen on Mac
Mac users might encounter different challenges when attempting to switch Undertale to fullscreen. Here are some methods to try:
1. Use the Green Fullscreen Button
In the top-left corner of the game window, there’s a green button that allows you to enter fullscreen mode. Clicking this should expand the game to fill the entire screen.
2. Press Fn + F4
Similar to Windows laptops, Mac keyboards may require the Fn key to access function keys. Hold down Fn and press F4 to toggle fullscreen mode.
3. Try Command + Enter
Another shortcut to attempt is Command + Enter. This combination can sometimes switch applications to fullscreen on Mac systems.
Additional Tips
Check Keyboard Settings
Ensure that your keyboard’s function keys are set to act as standard function keys. On Macs, this setting can be found in System Preferences under Keyboard. If they’re not set correctly, the fullscreen toggle might not work even if you’re pressing the right keys.
Update Graphics Drivers
Outdated graphics drivers can sometimes cause display issues. If Undertale doesn’t behave as expected when switching to fullscreen, check for updates to your graphics card drivers and install the latest versions. This can solve not just fullscreen problems, but also performance and compatibility issues.
Adjust Display Settings
If the game doesn’t fit the screen properly in fullscreen mode, your display resolution might not be optimal. Try adjusting your monitor’s resolution settings to see if the issue improves. Also, switching between windowed and fullscreen modes after changing the resolution can sometimes reset the display properly.
Use Compatibility Mode
On Windows, running the game in compatibility mode for an older version of Windows can sometimes resolve fullscreen issues. To do this, right-click on the Undertale application icon, select Properties, go to the Compatibility tab, and enable compatibility mode for Windows 7 or 8. Apply the changes and restart the game.
Restart the Game
Sometimes, fullscreen doesn’t activate until the game is restarted. If you’ve tried a shortcut and nothing happens immediately, save your game, exit, and relaunch Undertale to see if the settings apply correctly.
Try Reinstalling the Game
As a last resort, if fullscreen mode still doesn’t work after trying all of the above, consider reinstalling the game. A fresh installation might fix configuration issues or corrupted settings files that are preventing fullscreen from functioning correctly.
Why Fullscreen Matters
Playing Undertale in fullscreen can dramatically enhance the experience. It helps eliminate distractions from your desktop, keeps your focus on the story, and simply makes the game feel more immersive. For many players, it brings back the feeling of playing classic games from the past, where you were completely absorbed in the screen.
If you’re playing on a larger monitor or TV, fullscreen also helps the game scale properly, so the pixel art looks the way it’s meant to—clean, sharp, and charming. Without fullscreen, the windowed mode can feel cramped, especially if you’re multitasking or using a high-resolution display.
