@exarkuniv Ok now I feel extremely stupid for not thinking about this before. But because I'm probably not the only one, I figured I'd post this info in case others run into the same thing. After wasting more than half a day trying different HDMI configurations and editing the config file a million times, I realized that by plugging in HDMI 1 into the lcd controller and using HDMI 0 as the output source for a bigger TV, the pi will always check HDMI 0 first for signal and if it doesn't find one, then it goes to HDMI 1. So in other words, no need for an HDMI switch or splitter. Man I feel so stupid but at least the problem is solved now.

Update: Please use PR 560 (note the 6) from now on for testing. Needed to reapply PR since fork and upstream diverted too much. So:

git clone --recursive https://github.com/RetroPie/EmulationStation.git cd EmulationStation git fetch origin pull/560/head:event-scripting git checkout event-scripting cmake . && make ./emulationstation --debug

@Furluge I suppose they look like RA's controls when run on a mobile device - but they're overlays. I posted the link to them in the first screenshot post.

The jagity edge is on any straight line. Thanks so much for the link. I have been trying all sorts of things to get this to look good. Thanks so much. The lines show on front end or in game.

@krispy No worries. 5-7 seconds for the display should be enough before launching the game but obviously you can set this to your own preference.