diff --git a/lang/en_US.json b/lang/en_US.json
index 9c8c25060f..a877434fa5 100644
--- a/lang/en_US.json
+++ b/lang/en_US.json
@@ -1412,8 +1412,13 @@
     "No pending submissions for this game.": "No pending submissions for this game.",
     "Submit another": "Submit another",
     "Back to game": "Back to game",
-    "Expected Resolutions: {{resolutions}}": "Expected Resolutions: {{resolutions}}",
-    "Expected Resolutions: {{resolutions}} (or 2x/3x multiples)": "Expected Resolutions: {{resolutions}} (or 2x/3x multiples)",
+    "Supported resolutions: {{resolutions}}": "Supported resolutions: {{resolutions}}",
+    "Upscaled screenshots look sharper. Render at 2x or 3x in your emulator.": "Upscaled screenshots look sharper. Render at 2x or 3x in your emulator.",
+    "1x capture, render at 2x or 3x for a sharper screenshot": "1x capture, render at 2x or 3x for a sharper screenshot",
+    "Use your emulator's screenshot tool, ideally at 2x or 3x internal resolution.": "Use your emulator's screenshot tool, ideally at 2x or 3x internal resolution.",
+    "Use your emulator's screenshot tool, not a desktop capture.": "Use your emulator's screenshot tool, not a desktop capture.",
+    "Resolution doesn't match. See the preview above.": "Resolution doesn't match. See the preview above.",
+    "or 2x or 3x of any of these": "or 2x or 3x of any of these",
     "Upload screenshot file": "Upload screenshot file",
     "Valid resolution": "Valid resolution",
     "Invalid resolution": "Invalid resolution",
@@ -1427,8 +1432,6 @@
     "Click or drag to replace": "Click or drag to replace",
     "Drop your screenshot here, or click to browse": "Drop your screenshot here, or click to browse",
     "Primary screenshot has an incorrect resolution": "Primary screenshot has an incorrect resolution",
-    "This screenshot's dimensions ({{width}}x{{height}}) don't match the expected resolutions: {{resolutions}}.": "This screenshot's dimensions ({{width}}x{{height}}) don't match the expected resolutions: {{resolutions}}.",
-    "This screenshot's dimensions ({{width}}x{{height}}) don't match the expected resolutions: {{resolutions}} (or 2x/3x multiples).": "This screenshot's dimensions ({{width}}x{{height}}) don't match the expected resolutions: {{resolutions}} (or 2x/3x multiples).",
     "Cancel submission": "Cancel submission",
     "No emulators matched your search.": "No emulators matched your search.",
     "This system only accepts PNG screenshots.": "This system only accepts PNG screenshots.",
diff --git a/resources/js/common/utils/getIsNativeScreenshotResolution.test.ts b/resources/js/common/utils/getIsNativeScreenshotResolution.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..354973a617
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/js/common/utils/getIsNativeScreenshotResolution.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+import { getIsNativeScreenshotResolution } from './getIsNativeScreenshotResolution';
+
+describe('Util: getIsNativeScreenshotResolution', () => {
+  const baseResolutions = [{ width: 256, height: 224 }];
+
+  it('given an exact 1x native match, returns true', () => {
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(256, 224, baseResolutions)).toEqual(true);
+  });
+
+  it('given a 1px tolerance match against a native resolution, returns true', () => {
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(257, 225, baseResolutions)).toEqual(true);
+  });
+
+  it('given a 2x or 3x scaled match, returns false', () => {
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(512, 448, baseResolutions)).toEqual(false);
+    expect(getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(768, 672, baseResolutions)).toEqual(false);
+  });
+
+  it('given non-matching dimensions, returns false', () => {
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(1920, 1080, baseResolutions)).toEqual(false);
+  });
+
+  it('given an empty native list with no analog TV output, returns false', () => {
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(320, 240, [])).toEqual(false);
+  });
+
+  it('given an exact SMPTE 601 size, matches only when analog TV output is enabled', () => {
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(720, 480, baseResolutions, true)).toEqual(true);
+    expect(getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(720, 480, baseResolutions, false)).toEqual(false);
+  });
+
+  it('given a 1px deviation from an SMPTE 601 size with analog output enabled, returns false', () => {
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(720, 481, baseResolutions, true)).toEqual(false);
+  });
+
+  it('given an empty native list with analog output, only exact SMPTE sizes match', () => {
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(720, 576, [], true)).toEqual(true);
+    expect(getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(1920, 1080, [], true)).toEqual(false);
+  });
+});
diff --git a/resources/js/common/utils/getIsNativeScreenshotResolution.ts b/resources/js/common/utils/getIsNativeScreenshotResolution.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..66cd33f194
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/js/common/utils/getIsNativeScreenshotResolution.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+import { getIsSameScreenshotResolution } from './getIsSameScreenshotResolution';
+import { SCREENSHOT_SMPTE_RESOLUTIONS } from './screenshotSmpteResolutions';
+
+/**
+ * Returns true only when the dimensions are a 1x native capture, never a 2x/3x upscale.
+ *
+ * Diverges from getIsValidScreenshotResolution() in two important ways:
+ * - An empty native list returns false (rather than "any size is valid"). This prevents
+ *   every upload on a system with no resolution metadata from being treated as native.
+ * - 2x/3x multiples never match here, even when the system supports upscaling.
+ *
+ * SMPTE 601 sizes count as 1x when hasAnalogTvOutput is true, since they're real hardware
+ * captures (not upscales), and use exact equality (no tolerance), matching the validator.
+ */
+export function getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(
+  width: number,
+  height: number,
+  nativeResolutions: Array<{ width: number; height: number }>,
+  hasAnalogTvOutput?: boolean,
+): boolean {
+  for (const resolution of nativeResolutions) {
+    if (getIsSameScreenshotResolution(width, height, resolution.width, resolution.height)) {
+      return true;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (hasAnalogTvOutput) {
+    for (const smpte of SCREENSHOT_SMPTE_RESOLUTIONS) {
+      if (width === smpte.width && height === smpte.height) {
+        return true;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  return false;
+}
diff --git a/resources/js/common/utils/getIsValidScreenshotResolution.test.ts b/resources/js/common/utils/getIsValidScreenshotResolution.test.ts
index 062fde06d1..fbf3e56b56 100644
--- a/resources/js/common/utils/getIsValidScreenshotResolution.test.ts
+++ b/resources/js/common/utils/getIsValidScreenshotResolution.test.ts
@@ -90,4 +90,12 @@ describe('Util: getIsValidScreenshotResolution', () => {
     // ASSERT
     expect(result).toEqual(true);
   });
+
+  it('given a 1px deviation from an SMPTE 601 resolution with analog output enabled, returns false', () => {
+    // ACT
+    const result = getIsValidScreenshotResolution(720, 481, baseResolutions, true);
+
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(result).toEqual(false);
+  });
 });
diff --git a/resources/js/common/utils/getIsValidScreenshotResolution.ts b/resources/js/common/utils/getIsValidScreenshotResolution.ts
index f4111efcd3..26707e9488 100644
--- a/resources/js/common/utils/getIsValidScreenshotResolution.ts
+++ b/resources/js/common/utils/getIsValidScreenshotResolution.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,5 @@
 import { getIsSameScreenshotResolution } from './getIsSameScreenshotResolution';
-
-const SMPTE_601_RESOLUTIONS = [
-  { width: 704, height: 480 },
-  { width: 720, height: 480 },
-  { width: 720, height: 486 },
-  { width: 704, height: 576 },
-  { width: 720, height: 576 },
-];
+import { SCREENSHOT_SMPTE_RESOLUTIONS } from './screenshotSmpteResolutions';
 
 export function getIsValidScreenshotResolution(
   width: number,
@@ -35,7 +28,7 @@ export function getIsValidScreenshotResolution(
 
   // SMPTE 601 analog capture resolutions are an exact-match check.
   if (hasAnalogTvOutput) {
-    for (const smpte of SMPTE_601_RESOLUTIONS) {
+    for (const smpte of SCREENSHOT_SMPTE_RESOLUTIONS) {
       if (width === smpte.width && height === smpte.height) {
         return true;
       }
diff --git a/resources/js/common/utils/screenshotSmpteResolutions.ts b/resources/js/common/utils/screenshotSmpteResolutions.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..5aab1eb2a2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/js/common/utils/screenshotSmpteResolutions.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+/**
+ * SMPTE 601 analog-capture resolutions, used by systems with `has_analog_tv_output`.
+ * Matched with no tolerance. These are well-defined standards.
+ */
+export const SCREENSHOT_SMPTE_RESOLUTIONS = [
+  { width: 704, height: 480 },
+  { width: 720, height: 480 },
+  { width: 720, height: 486 },
+  { width: 704, height: 576 },
+  { width: 720, height: 576 },
+] as const;
diff --git a/resources/js/features/games/components/GameScreenshotUploadDialog/GameScreenshotUploadDialog.test.tsx b/resources/js/features/games/components/GameScreenshotUploadDialog/GameScreenshotUploadDialog.test.tsx
index 13215317d9..1f7547540f 100644
--- a/resources/js/features/games/components/GameScreenshotUploadDialog/GameScreenshotUploadDialog.test.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/features/games/components/GameScreenshotUploadDialog/GameScreenshotUploadDialog.test.tsx
@@ -230,7 +230,10 @@ describe('Component: GameScreenshotUploadDialog', () => {
     render(<GameScreenshotUploadDialog isOpen={true} onOpenChange={vi.fn()} />, {
       pageProps: {
         game: createGame({
-          system: createSystem({ screenshotResolutions: [{ width: 320, height: 240 }] }),
+          system: createSystem({
+            screenshotResolutions: [{ width: 320, height: 240 }],
+            supportsUpscaledScreenshots: false,
+          }),
         }),
         screenshotUploadConsistency: {
           existingResolutions: [{ width: 256, height: 224 }],
diff --git a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotDropZone.test.tsx b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotDropZone.test.tsx
index 0ff5729716..d7c09c3b78 100644
--- a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotDropZone.test.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotDropZone.test.tsx
@@ -18,9 +18,9 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     const { container } = render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl={null}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
@@ -33,10 +33,10 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl={null}
         hasPreview={false}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
@@ -44,58 +44,114 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     expect(screen.getByText(/drop your screenshot here, or click to browse/i)).toBeVisible();
   });
 
-  it('given there is no preview and upscaled screenshots are not supported, shows only PNG and does not include multiples info', () => {
+  it('shows the upscale nudge only when upscaled screenshots are supported', () => {
+    // ARRANGE
+    const { rerender } = render(
+      <ScreenshotDropZone
+        fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
+        isResolutionValid={true}
+        previewUrl={null}
+        hasPreview={false}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={true}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(
+      screen.getByText(/upscaled screenshots look sharper\. render at 2x or 3x/i),
+    ).toBeVisible();
+
+    // ACT
+    rerender(
+      <ScreenshotDropZone
+        fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
+        isResolutionValid={true}
+        previewUrl={null}
+        hasPreview={false}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={false}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 256, height: 224 }]}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/upscaled screenshots/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('given a non-upscaling system with exactly one supported resolution, shows it', () => {
     // ARRANGE
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl={null}
         hasPreview={false}
         supportsUpscaledScreenshots={false}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 256, height: 224 }]}
       />,
     );
 
     // ASSERT
-    expect(screen.getByText(/PNG — max 4 MB/i)).toBeVisible();
-    expect(screen.queryByText(/2x\/3x multiples/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByText('Supported resolutions: 256x224')).toBeVisible();
   });
 
-  it('given there is no preview and upscaled screenshots are supported, shows multiple formats and includes multiples info', () => {
+  it('given a non-upscaling system with two or three supported resolutions, joins them with comma-separated dimensions', () => {
     // ARRANGE
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl={null}
         hasPreview={false}
-        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={true}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={false}
+        screenshotResolutions={[
+          { width: 256, height: 224 },
+          { width: 256, height: 240 },
+        ]}
       />,
     );
 
     // ASSERT
-    expect(screen.getByText(/PNG/)).toBeVisible();
-    expect(screen.getByText(/JPEG/)).toBeVisible();
-    expect(screen.getByText(/WebP/)).toBeVisible();
-    expect(screen.getByText(/2x\/3x multiples/i)).toBeVisible();
+    expect(screen.getByText('Supported resolutions: 256x224, 256x240')).toBeVisible();
   });
 
-  it('given there is no preview and formatted resolutions is empty, does not show the resolutions line', () => {
+  it('given a non-upscaling system with more than three supported resolutions, omits the supported resolutions line', () => {
     // ARRANGE
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions=""
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl={null}
         hasPreview={false}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={false}
+        screenshotResolutions={[
+          { width: 256, height: 224 },
+          { width: 256, height: 240 },
+          { width: 320, height: 224 },
+          { width: 320, height: 240 },
+        ]}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/native resolution/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('given an upscaling-capable system, does not show a supported resolutions line', () => {
+    // ARRANGE
+    render(
+      <ScreenshotDropZone
+        fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
+        isResolutionValid={true}
+        previewUrl={null}
+        hasPreview={false}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={true}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
     // ASSERT
-    expect(screen.queryByText(/expected resolutions/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/supported resolutions/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
   it('given there is a preview, shows the preview image and replacement prompt', () => {
@@ -103,10 +159,10 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl="https://example.com/preview.png"
         hasPreview={true}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
@@ -120,11 +176,11 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl="https://example.com/preview.png"
         hasPreview={true}
         previewDimensions={{ width: 320, height: 240 }}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
@@ -138,11 +194,11 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl="https://example.com/preview.png"
         hasPreview={true}
         previewDimensions={null}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
@@ -156,10 +212,10 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl={null}
         supportsUpscaledScreenshots={true}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
@@ -173,10 +229,10 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl={null}
         supportsUpscaledScreenshots={false}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
@@ -191,9 +247,9 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={fileInputRef}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl={null}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
@@ -213,10 +269,10 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl={null}
         onFileChange={onFileChange}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
@@ -236,10 +292,10 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl={null}
         onDrop={onDrop}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
@@ -268,9 +324,9 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl={null}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
@@ -288,9 +344,9 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotDropZone', () => {
     render(
       <ScreenshotDropZone
         fileInputRef={createFileInputRef()}
-        formattedResolutions="320x240"
         isResolutionValid={true}
         previewUrl={null}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
       />,
     );
 
diff --git a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotDropZone.tsx b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotDropZone.tsx
index 0ccd683d75..a5ddf3507f 100644
--- a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotDropZone.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotDropZone.tsx
@@ -4,21 +4,22 @@ import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 import { LuUpload } from 'react-icons/lu';
 
-import { usePageProps } from '@/common/hooks/usePageProps';
 import { cn } from '@/common/utils/cn';
-import { getUserIntlLocale } from '@/common/utils/getUserIntlLocale';
 
 import { ScreenshotPreviewMeta } from './ScreenshotPreviewMeta';
 
+const MAX_NATIVE_RESOLUTIONS_TO_SHOW = 3;
+
 interface ScreenshotDropZoneProps {
   fileInputRef: RefObject<HTMLInputElement | null>;
-  formattedResolutions: string;
   isResolutionValid: boolean;
   previewUrl: string | null;
+  screenshotResolutions: Array<{ width: number; height: number }>;
 
   canonicalResolution?: string | null;
   hasConsistencyWarning?: boolean;
   hasPreview?: boolean;
+  is1xCapture?: boolean;
   onDrop?: (e: DragEvent) => void;
   onFileChange?: (file: File | undefined) => void;
   previewDimensions?: { width: number; height: number } | null;
@@ -28,21 +29,19 @@ interface ScreenshotDropZoneProps {
 export const ScreenshotDropZone: FC<ScreenshotDropZoneProps> = ({
   canonicalResolution,
   fileInputRef,
-  formattedResolutions,
   hasConsistencyWarning,
   hasPreview,
+  is1xCapture,
   isResolutionValid,
   onDrop,
   onFileChange,
   previewDimensions,
   previewUrl,
+  screenshotResolutions,
   supportsUpscaledScreenshots,
 }) => {
-  const { auth } = usePageProps();
   const { t } = useTranslation();
 
-  const locale = getUserIntlLocale(auth?.user);
-
   const [isDragOver, setIsDragOver] = useState(false);
 
   const { height: dropZoneHeight, ref: dropZoneContentRef } = useContentHeight();
@@ -101,7 +100,10 @@ export const ScreenshotDropZone: FC<ScreenshotDropZoneProps> = ({
                 canonicalResolution={canonicalResolution}
                 hasConsistencyWarning={hasConsistencyWarning}
                 height={previewDimensions.height}
+                is1xCapture={is1xCapture}
                 isResolutionValid={isResolutionValid}
+                screenshotResolutions={screenshotResolutions}
+                supportsUpscaledScreenshots={supportsUpscaledScreenshots}
                 width={previewDimensions.width}
               />
             ) : null}
@@ -109,44 +111,59 @@ export const ScreenshotDropZone: FC<ScreenshotDropZoneProps> = ({
             <p className="text-xs text-neutral-500">{t('Click or drag to replace')}</p>
           </m.div>
         ) : (
-          <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-3 py-8">
-            <LuUpload className="h-8 w-8 text-neutral-500" />
-
-            <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-1">
-              <p className="text-sm text-neutral-300 light:text-neutral-600">
-                {t('Drop your screenshot here, or click to browse')}
-              </p>
-
-              <p className="text-xs text-neutral-500">
-                {supportsUpscaledScreenshots
-                  ? new Intl.ListFormat(locale, { style: 'narrow', type: 'unit' }).format([
-                      'PNG',
-                      'JPEG',
-                      'WebP',
-                    ])
-                  : 'PNG'}{' '}
-                — max 4 MB
-              </p>
-            </div>
-
-            {formattedResolutions ? (
-              <p className="text-balance text-center text-xs text-neutral-500">
-                {supportsUpscaledScreenshots
-                  ? t('Expected Resolutions: {{resolutions}} (or 2x/3x multiples)', {
-                      resolutions: formattedResolutions,
-                    })
-                  : t('Expected Resolutions: {{resolutions}}', {
-                      resolutions: formattedResolutions,
-                    })}
-              </p>
-            ) : null}
-          </div>
+          <EmptyState
+            screenshotResolutions={screenshotResolutions}
+            supportsUpscaledScreenshots={supportsUpscaledScreenshots}
+          />
         )}
       </div>
     </m.button>
   );
 };
 
+interface EmptyStateProps {
+  screenshotResolutions: Array<{ width: number; height: number }>;
+  supportsUpscaledScreenshots?: boolean;
+}
+
+const EmptyState: FC<EmptyStateProps> = ({
+  screenshotResolutions,
+  supportsUpscaledScreenshots,
+}) => {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  const formattedNatives = screenshotResolutions.map((r) => `${r.width}x${r.height}`).join(', ');
+
+  const shouldShowNativeList =
+    !supportsUpscaledScreenshots &&
+    screenshotResolutions.length > 0 &&
+    screenshotResolutions.length <= MAX_NATIVE_RESOLUTIONS_TO_SHOW;
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-3 py-8">
+      <LuUpload className="h-8 w-8 text-neutral-500" />
+
+      <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-1">
+        <p className="text-sm text-neutral-300 light:text-neutral-600">
+          {t('Drop your screenshot here, or click to browse')}
+        </p>
+
+        {supportsUpscaledScreenshots ? (
+          <p className="text-balance text-center text-xs text-neutral-500">
+            {t('Upscaled screenshots look sharper. Render at 2x or 3x in your emulator.')}
+          </p>
+        ) : null}
+
+        {shouldShowNativeList ? (
+          <p className="text-balance text-center text-xs text-neutral-500">
+            {t('Supported resolutions: {{resolutions}}', { resolutions: formattedNatives })}
+          </p>
+        ) : null}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+};
+
 /**
  * Track the scroll height of an element via ResizeObserver so we
  * can feed it into a motion `animate` for smooth height transitions.
diff --git a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotPreviewMeta.test.tsx b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotPreviewMeta.test.tsx
index ae57298d5b..2ed7f79ee1 100644
--- a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotPreviewMeta.test.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotPreviewMeta.test.tsx
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
-import { render, screen } from '@/test';
+import userEvent from '@testing-library/user-event';
+
+import { render, screen, waitFor } from '@/test';
 
 import { ScreenshotPreviewMeta } from './ScreenshotPreviewMeta';
 
@@ -39,6 +41,103 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotPreviewMeta', () => {
     expect(screen.getByText(/invalid resolution/i)).toBeVisible();
   });
 
+  it('given the resolution is invalid, branches the explanation copy on supportsUpscaledScreenshots', () => {
+    // ARRANGE
+    const { rerender } = render(
+      <ScreenshotPreviewMeta
+        width={1920}
+        height={1080}
+        isResolutionValid={false}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={true}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(screen.getByText(/ideally at 2x or 3x internal resolution/i)).toBeVisible();
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/not a desktop capture/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+
+    // ACT
+    rerender(
+      <ScreenshotPreviewMeta
+        width={1920}
+        height={1080}
+        isResolutionValid={false}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={false}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(screen.getByText(/not a desktop capture/i)).toBeVisible();
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/internal resolution/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('given a 1x capture on an upscaling-capable system, shows the 1x nudge', () => {
+    // ARRANGE
+    render(
+      <ScreenshotPreviewMeta
+        width={320}
+        height={240}
+        isResolutionValid={true}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={true}
+        is1xCapture={true}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(screen.getByText(/1x capture, render at 2x or 3x/i)).toBeVisible();
+  });
+
+  it('given a 1x capture on a non-upscaling system, does not show the 1x nudge', () => {
+    // ARRANGE
+    render(
+      <ScreenshotPreviewMeta
+        width={256}
+        height={224}
+        isResolutionValid={true}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={false}
+        is1xCapture={true}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/1x capture/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('given an upscaled capture (not 1x) on an upscaling-capable system, does not show the 1x nudge', () => {
+    // ARRANGE
+    render(
+      <ScreenshotPreviewMeta
+        width={640}
+        height={480}
+        isResolutionValid={true}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={true}
+        is1xCapture={false}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/1x capture/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
+  it('given both 1x nudge and consistency warning conditions are true, only the 1x nudge renders', () => {
+    // ARRANGE
+    render(
+      <ScreenshotPreviewMeta
+        width={320}
+        height={240}
+        isResolutionValid={true}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={true}
+        is1xCapture={true}
+        hasConsistencyWarning={true}
+        canonicalResolution="640x480"
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(screen.getByText(/1x capture/i)).toBeVisible();
+    expect(screen.queryByText(/doesn't match existing screenshots/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
   it('given the resolution is valid but inconsistent with canonical screenshots, shows an advisory warning message', () => {
     // ARRANGE
     render(
@@ -70,4 +169,106 @@ describe('Component: ScreenshotPreviewMeta', () => {
     // ASSERT
     expect(screen.getByText(/doesn't match existing screenshots/i)).toBeVisible();
   });
+
+  it('given the resolution is invalid, decorates the invalid label as a tooltip trigger only when accepted sizes are available', () => {
+    // ARRANGE
+    const { rerender } = render(
+      <ScreenshotPreviewMeta
+        width={1920}
+        height={1080}
+        isResolutionValid={false}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ASSERT
+    const decoratedLabel = screen.getByText(/invalid resolution/i);
+    expect(decoratedLabel).toHaveClass('underline');
+    expect(decoratedLabel).toHaveClass('decoration-dotted');
+
+    // ACT
+    rerender(
+      <ScreenshotPreviewMeta
+        width={1920}
+        height={1080}
+        isResolutionValid={false}
+        screenshotResolutions={[]}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(screen.getByText(/invalid resolution/i)).not.toHaveClass('underline');
+  });
+
+  it('given the user hovers the invalid label on a non-upscaling system, the tooltip shows the native list verbatim', async () => {
+    // ARRANGE
+    render(
+      <ScreenshotPreviewMeta
+        width={1920}
+        height={1080}
+        isResolutionValid={false}
+        screenshotResolutions={[
+          { width: 256, height: 224 },
+          { width: 256, height: 240 },
+        ]}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={false}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ACT
+    await userEvent.hover(screen.getByText(/invalid resolution/i));
+
+    // ASSERT
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(screen.getAllByText('256x224, 256x240').length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('given the user hovers the invalid label on an upscaling-capable system, the tooltip shows the native list plus the 2x/3x clause', async () => {
+    // ARRANGE
+    render(
+      <ScreenshotPreviewMeta
+        width={1920}
+        height={1080}
+        isResolutionValid={false}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={true}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ACT
+    await userEvent.hover(screen.getByText(/invalid resolution/i));
+
+    // ASSERT
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(screen.getAllByText('320x240').length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+      expect(screen.getAllByText(/or 2x or 3x of any of these/i).length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    });
+  });
+
+  it('given the user hovers the invalid label, the tooltip sorts native resolutions by width and then height', async () => {
+    // ARRANGE
+    render(
+      <ScreenshotPreviewMeta
+        width={1920}
+        height={1080}
+        isResolutionValid={false}
+        screenshotResolutions={[
+          { width: 640, height: 480 },
+          { width: 256, height: 240 },
+          { width: 320, height: 224 },
+          { width: 256, height: 224 },
+        ]}
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={false}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ACT
+    await userEvent.hover(screen.getByText(/invalid resolution/i));
+
+    // ASSERT
+    await waitFor(() => {
+      expect(screen.getAllByText('256x224, 256x240, 320x224, 640x480').length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    });
+  });
 });
diff --git a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotPreviewMeta.tsx b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotPreviewMeta.tsx
index 3f324fe0e5..e9509f5b9f 100644
--- a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotPreviewMeta.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/ScreenshotPreviewMeta.tsx
@@ -2,6 +2,13 @@ import type { FC } from 'react';
 import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 import { LuCircleCheckBig, LuCircleX, LuTriangleAlert } from 'react-icons/lu';
 
+import {
+  BaseTooltip,
+  BaseTooltipContent,
+  BaseTooltipPortal,
+  BaseTooltipTrigger,
+} from '@/common/components/+vendor/BaseTooltip';
+
 interface ScreenshotPreviewMetaProps {
   height: number;
   isResolutionValid: boolean;
@@ -9,14 +16,20 @@ interface ScreenshotPreviewMetaProps {
 
   canonicalResolution?: string | null;
   hasConsistencyWarning?: boolean;
+  is1xCapture?: boolean;
+  screenshotResolutions?: Array<{ width: number; height: number }>;
+  supportsUpscaledScreenshots?: boolean;
 }
 
 export const ScreenshotPreviewMeta: FC<ScreenshotPreviewMetaProps> = ({
   canonicalResolution,
   hasConsistencyWarning,
   height,
+  is1xCapture,
   isResolutionValid,
+  supportsUpscaledScreenshots,
   width,
+  screenshotResolutions = [],
 }) => {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
 
@@ -26,27 +39,65 @@ export const ScreenshotPreviewMeta: FC<ScreenshotPreviewMetaProps> = ({
       })
     : t("Doesn't match existing screenshots");
 
+  const invalidExplanation = supportsUpscaledScreenshots
+    ? t("Use your emulator's screenshot tool, ideally at 2x or 3x internal resolution.")
+    : t("Use your emulator's screenshot tool, not a desktop capture.");
+
+  const showUpscaleNudge = isResolutionValid && supportsUpscaledScreenshots && is1xCapture;
+  const showConsistencyWarning = isResolutionValid && hasConsistencyWarning && !showUpscaleNudge;
+
+  const showInvalidTooltip = !isResolutionValid && screenshotResolutions.length > 0;
+
   return (
     <div className="flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-xs">
       <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-center gap-x-3 gap-y-1">
-        <span className="text-neutral-400">
-          {width}x{height}
-        </span>
-
         {isResolutionValid ? (
           <span className="flex items-center gap-1 text-green-500">
             <LuCircleCheckBig className="size-3" />
             {t('Valid resolution')}
           </span>
+        ) : showInvalidTooltip ? (
+          <BaseTooltip>
+            <BaseTooltipTrigger asChild>
+              <span className="flex items-center gap-1 text-red-500 underline decoration-dotted underline-offset-2">
+                <LuCircleX className="size-3" />
+                {t('Invalid resolution')}
+              </span>
+            </BaseTooltipTrigger>
+
+            <BaseTooltipPortal>
+              <BaseTooltipContent className="max-w-xs">
+                <AcceptedSizesTooltip
+                  screenshotResolutions={screenshotResolutions}
+                  supportsUpscaledScreenshots={supportsUpscaledScreenshots}
+                />
+              </BaseTooltipContent>
+            </BaseTooltipPortal>
+          </BaseTooltip>
         ) : (
           <span className="flex items-center gap-1 text-red-500">
             <LuCircleX className="size-3" />
             {t('Invalid resolution')}
           </span>
         )}
+
+        <span className="text-neutral-400">
+          {width}x{height}
+        </span>
       </div>
 
-      {isResolutionValid && hasConsistencyWarning ? (
+      {!isResolutionValid ? (
+        <p className="text-balance text-center text-red-500/80">{invalidExplanation}</p>
+      ) : null}
+
+      {showUpscaleNudge ? (
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-1 text-yellow-500">
+          <LuTriangleAlert className="size-3 shrink-0" />
+          <span>{t('1x capture, render at 2x or 3x for a sharper screenshot')}</span>
+        </div>
+      ) : null}
+
+      {showConsistencyWarning ? (
         <div className="flex items-center gap-1 text-yellow-500">
           <LuTriangleAlert className="size-3 shrink-0" />
           <span>{consistencyMessage}</span>
@@ -55,3 +106,30 @@ export const ScreenshotPreviewMeta: FC<ScreenshotPreviewMetaProps> = ({
     </div>
   );
 };
+
+interface AcceptedSizesTooltipProps {
+  screenshotResolutions: Array<{ width: number; height: number }>;
+  supportsUpscaledScreenshots?: boolean;
+}
+
+const AcceptedSizesTooltip: FC<AcceptedSizesTooltipProps> = ({
+  screenshotResolutions,
+  supportsUpscaledScreenshots,
+}) => {
+  const { t } = useTranslation();
+
+  // Sort by width, then by height.
+  const sortedResolutions = [...screenshotResolutions].sort(
+    (a, b) => a.width - b.width || a.height - b.height,
+  );
+  const nativeList = sortedResolutions.map((r) => `${r.width}x${r.height}`).join(', ');
+
+  return (
+    <div className="flex flex-col gap-1 text-xs">
+      <p>{nativeList}</p>
+      {supportsUpscaledScreenshots ? (
+        <p className="text-neutral-400">{t('or 2x or 3x of any of these')}</p>
+      ) : null}
+    </div>
+  );
+};
diff --git a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/UploadForm.test.tsx b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/UploadForm.test.tsx
index 5a4748268d..27fd4bcaca 100644
--- a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/UploadForm.test.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/UploadForm.test.tsx
@@ -89,18 +89,36 @@ describe('Component: UploadForm', () => {
     expect(URL.revokeObjectURL).toHaveBeenCalledWith('blob:test');
   });
 
-  it('given screenshot resolutions are provided, displays them in the drop zone', () => {
+  it('given a non-upscaling system, displays the supported resolutions line in the drop zone with the x sign', () => {
     // ARRANGE
     render(
       <UploadForm
         gameId={1}
         screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
         selectedType="ingame"
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={false}
+      />,
+    );
+
+    // ASSERT
+    expect(screen.getByText('Supported resolutions: 320x240')).toBeVisible();
+  });
+
+  it('given an upscaling-capable system, displays the upscale nudge in the drop zone', () => {
+    // ARRANGE
+    render(
+      <UploadForm
+        gameId={1}
+        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
+        selectedType="ingame"
+        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={true}
       />,
     );
 
     // ASSERT
-    expect(screen.getByText(/expected resolutions: 320x240/i)).toBeVisible();
+    expect(
+      screen.getByText(/upscaled screenshots look sharper\. render at 2x or 3x/i),
+    ).toBeVisible();
   });
 
   it('given the preview is valid and matches the existing canonical resolution, does not show a consistency warning', async () => {
@@ -356,46 +374,7 @@ describe('Component: UploadForm', () => {
     });
   });
 
-  it('given the file has an invalid resolution, shows a validation error', async () => {
-    // ARRANGE
-    vi.stubGlobal(
-      'Image',
-      class MockImage {
-        naturalWidth = 999;
-        naturalHeight = 888;
-        onload: (() => void) | null = null;
-        onerror: ((error: unknown) => void) | null = null;
-
-        set src(_value: string) {
-          queueMicrotask(() => this.onload?.());
-        }
-      },
-    );
-
-    render(
-      <UploadForm
-        gameId={1}
-        screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
-        selectedType="ingame"
-      />,
-    );
-
-    const fileInput = screen.getByLabelText(/upload screenshot file/i) as HTMLInputElement;
-    await userEvent.upload(fileInput, createMockImageFile());
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /submit screenshot/i })).toBeEnabled();
-    });
-
-    // ACT
-    await userEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: /submit screenshot/i }));
-
-    // ASSERT
-    await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(screen.getByText(/999x888.*don't match/i)).toBeVisible();
-    });
-  });
-
-  it('given upscaled screenshots are supported and the resolution is invalid, includes multiples info in the error', async () => {
+  it('given the file has an invalid resolution, shows a short form-error pointing to the preview', async () => {
     // ARRANGE
     vi.stubGlobal(
       'Image',
@@ -416,7 +395,6 @@ describe('Component: UploadForm', () => {
         gameId={1}
         screenshotResolutions={[{ width: 320, height: 240 }]}
         selectedType="ingame"
-        supportsUpscaledScreenshots={true}
       />,
     );
 
@@ -431,7 +409,7 @@ describe('Component: UploadForm', () => {
 
     // ASSERT
     await waitFor(() => {
-      expect(screen.getByText(/2x\/3x multiples/i)).toBeVisible();
+      expect(screen.getByText(/resolution doesn't match\. see the preview above/i)).toBeVisible();
     });
   });
 
diff --git a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/UploadForm.tsx b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/UploadForm.tsx
index fecd657e98..0de5151db2 100644
--- a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/UploadForm.tsx
+++ b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/UploadForm.tsx
@@ -12,10 +12,9 @@ import {
   BaseFormMessage,
 } from '@/common/components/+vendor/BaseForm';
 import { toastMessage } from '@/common/components/+vendor/BaseToaster';
-import { usePageProps } from '@/common/hooks/usePageProps';
+import { getIsNativeScreenshotResolution } from '@/common/utils/getIsNativeScreenshotResolution';
 import { getIsSameScreenshotResolution } from '@/common/utils/getIsSameScreenshotResolution';
 import { getIsValidScreenshotResolution } from '@/common/utils/getIsValidScreenshotResolution';
-import { getUserIntlLocale } from '@/common/utils/getUserIntlLocale';
 
 import { ScreenshotDropZone } from './ScreenshotDropZone';
 import { useGameScreenshotUploadForm } from './useGameScreenshotUploadForm';
@@ -43,11 +42,8 @@ export const UploadForm: FC<UploadFormProps> = ({
   selectedType,
   supportsUpscaledScreenshots,
 }) => {
-  const { auth } = usePageProps();
   const { t } = useTranslation();
 
-  const locale = getUserIntlLocale(auth?.user);
-
   const { form, mutation, onSubmit } = useGameScreenshotUploadForm({
     gameId,
     screenshotResolutions,
@@ -156,12 +152,16 @@ export const UploadForm: FC<UploadFormProps> = ({
     )
   );
 
-  const formattedResolutions =
-    screenshotResolutions.length > 0
-      ? new Intl.ListFormat(locale, { style: 'narrow', type: 'conjunction' }).format(
-          screenshotResolutions.map((r) => `${r.width}x${r.height}`),
-        )
-      : '';
+  const is1xCapture = !!(
+    previewDimensions &&
+    isResolutionValid &&
+    getIsNativeScreenshotResolution(
+      previewDimensions.width,
+      previewDimensions.height,
+      screenshotResolutions,
+      hasAnalogTvOutput,
+    )
+  );
 
   const handleFormSubmit = async (values: Parameters<typeof onSubmit>[0]) => {
     await onSubmit(values, (screenshot) => {
@@ -189,14 +189,15 @@ export const UploadForm: FC<UploadFormProps> = ({
                 <ScreenshotDropZone
                   canonicalResolution={screenshotUploadConsistency?.canonicalResolution}
                   fileInputRef={fileInputRef}
-                  formattedResolutions={formattedResolutions}
                   hasConsistencyWarning={hasConsistencyWarning}
                   hasPreview={hasPreview}
+                  is1xCapture={is1xCapture}
                   isResolutionValid={isResolutionValid}
                   onDrop={handleDrop}
                   onFileChange={handleFileChange}
                   previewDimensions={previewDimensions}
                   previewUrl={previewUrl}
+                  screenshotResolutions={screenshotResolutions}
                   supportsUpscaledScreenshots={supportsUpscaledScreenshots}
                 />
               </BaseFormControl>
diff --git a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/useGameScreenshotUploadForm.ts b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/useGameScreenshotUploadForm.ts
index f03e5e61f0..ff416f825a 100644
--- a/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/useGameScreenshotUploadForm.ts
+++ b/resources/js/features/games/components/UploadForm/useGameScreenshotUploadForm.ts
@@ -5,9 +5,7 @@ import { useTranslation } from 'react-i18next';
 import { z } from 'zod';
 
 import { toastMessage } from '@/common/components/+vendor/BaseToaster';
-import { usePageProps } from '@/common/hooks/usePageProps';
 import { getIsValidScreenshotResolution } from '@/common/utils/getIsValidScreenshotResolution';
-import { getUserIntlLocale } from '@/common/utils/getUserIntlLocale';
 
 import { useSubmitGameScreenshotMutation } from '../../hooks/mutations/useSubmitGameScreenshotMutation';
 
@@ -31,11 +29,8 @@ export function useGameScreenshotUploadForm({
   screenshotResolutions,
   supportsUpscaledScreenshots,
 }: UseGameScreenshotUploadFormOptions) {
-  const { auth } = usePageProps();
   const { t } = useTranslation();
 
-  const locale = getUserIntlLocale(auth?.user);
-
   const form = useForm<FormValues>({
     resolver: zodResolver(formSchema),
     defaultValues: {
@@ -62,22 +57,9 @@ export function useGameScreenshotUploadForm({
         supportsUpscaledScreenshots,
       )
     ) {
-      const formatted = new Intl.ListFormat(locale, {
-        style: 'narrow',
-        type: 'conjunction',
-      }).format(screenshotResolutions.map((r) => `${r.width}x${r.height}`));
-
-      const errorMessage = supportsUpscaledScreenshots
-        ? t(
-            "This screenshot's dimensions ({{width}}x{{height}}) don't match the expected resolutions: {{resolutions}} (or 2x/3x multiples).",
-            { width, height, resolutions: formatted },
-          )
-        : t(
-            "This screenshot's dimensions ({{width}}x{{height}}) don't match the expected resolutions: {{resolutions}}.",
-            { width, height, resolutions: formatted },
-          );
-
-      form.setError('imageData', { message: errorMessage });
+      form.setError('imageData', {
+        message: t("Resolution doesn't match. See the preview above."),
+      });
 
       return;
     }