To enable full screen...

[Iron Phoenix]

So, internally the game uses "only" 800x600 resolution on PC and Mac, and there are no options to support widescreen displays.
There is in fact an easy way to stretch it a little though!

Even though it wont support actual 1080P or native widescreen resolutions, it should still run smoothly with the low system requirements.
And also, not end up looking like a pile of steaming garbage. (though its personal tastes there).

My own display is 1920x1080 widescreen on a Windows 10 desktop rig.

For me, I have only started playing today in fact but I am not a fan of the massive borders.
You could say once you're in the zone you probably wont notice them which is true, but its all about options as the saying goes.


Tldr;

So, lets have it then...


1) Launch the game as usual, and go to the options screen.


2) Untick "hardware acceleration"

3) Untick "fullscreen"

4) Exit options menu, then exit the game.


5) Launch the game again, it will now be launched in a small window.

6) Next, use the Steam shortcut "Alt and Enter" to toggle fullscreen.
The game window will now allow itself to expand to full screen, without the black borders.


The Steam "Alt and Enter" shortcut will be different on Mac machines so you will need to look that up if you are using a Mac.
It usually works with most games, but in this instance the "hardware acceleration" seems to prevent it working.
And I cant personally see any visual difference - it isnt exactly Crysis lol.


Anyway, so just putting it out there and hope someone finds it useful.
When stretched to full screen, it doesnt actually look that bad in my opinion for this kind of game.


Besides this little trick, the options are playing in a smaller window, or else full screen with the black borders by default so far as I can tell on a regular PC.

[Jorpho]

The trouble with disabling hardware acceleration is that you also lose some of the fancy zoomy effects as well.

The real solution: before starting the game, change your desktop resolution to anything with a 4:3 apsect ratio. It doesn't have to be 800x600 – 1024x768 or 1280x960 will work too. This bug affects all PopCap games running this particular version of the "SexyApp" framework, including Plants vs Zombies (but not Bejeweled 3).

Spread the word! Keep the dream alive!

[Bobo]

wha...?

[the.goosh222]

Hey, do you know if there's any way to get it back to the normal ratio? It seems that this effect triggers permanently, and I prefer the standard 4:3.