diff --git a/docs/tr1/CHANGELOG.md b/docs/tr1/CHANGELOG.md
index 875b975f6..72e27e189 100644
--- a/docs/tr1/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/docs/tr1/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 ## [Unreleased](https://github.com/LostArtefacts/TRX/compare/tr1-4.5.1...develop) - ××××-××-××
 - added support for wading, similar to TR2+ (#1537)
 - added the ability to pause during cutscenes (#1673)
+- changed OpenGL backend to use version 3.3, with fallback to 2.1 if initialization fails (#1738)
 - fixed missing pushblock SFX in Natla's Mines (#1714)
 - fixed crash reports not working in certain circumstances (#1738)
 - fixed missing trapdoor triggers in City of Khamoon (#1744)
@@ -45,7 +46,6 @@
 - added `/exit` command (#1462)
 - added reflections to Midas Hand death animation and savegame crystals (#154)
 - added an option to use PS1 tinted savegame crystals (#1506)
-- changed the target change functionality from the look key to a new, standalone key (default `z` on keyboard, `left analog click` on controller) (#1503)
 - fixed `/play`, `/load`, `/demo` and similar commands not working in stats, credits, cinematics and fmvs (#1477)
 - fixed console commands being able to interfere with demos, cutscenes and the title screen (#1489, regression from 3.0)
 - fixed reopening the compass not resetting its needle (#1472, regression from 4.0)
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@
 - fixed Bacon Lara re-spawning after saving and loading (#1500, regression from 0.7)
 - fixed config JSON not sanitizing some numeric values (#1515)
 - fixed potential crashes in custom levels if hybrid creature objects are not present in the level (#1444)
+- changed the target change functionality from the look key to a new, standalone key (default `z` on keyboard, `left analog click` on controller) (#1503)
 - changed `/heal` console command to also extinguish Lara
 - changed `/tp` console command to look for the closest place to teleport to when targeting items (#1484)
 - changed `/set` console command output to always use fully-qualified option names
diff --git a/src/libtrx/gfx/2d/2d_renderer.c b/src/libtrx/gfx/2d/2d_renderer.c
index 6124e00c6..361245f28 100644
--- a/src/libtrx/gfx/2d/2d_renderer.c
+++ b/src/libtrx/gfx/2d/2d_renderer.c
@@ -6,10 +6,11 @@
 
 #include <assert.h>
 
-void GFX_2D_Renderer_Init(GFX_2D_RENDERER *renderer)
+void GFX_2D_Renderer_Init(
+    GFX_2D_RENDERER *renderer, const GFX_CONFIG *const config)
 {
     LOG_INFO("");
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
 
     GFX_GL_Buffer_Init(&renderer->surface_buffer, GL_ARRAY_BUFFER);
     GFX_GL_Buffer_Bind(&renderer->surface_buffer);
@@ -38,9 +39,11 @@ void GFX_2D_Renderer_Init(GFX_2D_RENDERER *renderer)
 
     GFX_GL_Program_Init(&renderer->program);
     GFX_GL_Program_AttachShader(
-        &renderer->program, GL_VERTEX_SHADER, "shaders/2d.glsl");
+        &renderer->program, GL_VERTEX_SHADER, "shaders/2d.glsl",
+        config->backend);
     GFX_GL_Program_AttachShader(
-        &renderer->program, GL_FRAGMENT_SHADER, "shaders/2d.glsl");
+        &renderer->program, GL_FRAGMENT_SHADER, "shaders/2d.glsl",
+        config->backend);
     GFX_GL_Program_Link(&renderer->program);
     GFX_GL_Program_FragmentData(&renderer->program, "fragColor");
 
@@ -50,7 +53,7 @@ void GFX_2D_Renderer_Init(GFX_2D_RENDERER *renderer)
 void GFX_2D_Renderer_Close(GFX_2D_RENDERER *renderer)
 {
     LOG_INFO("");
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
 
     GFX_GL_VertexArray_Close(&renderer->surface_format);
     GFX_GL_Buffer_Close(&renderer->surface_buffer);
@@ -62,6 +65,7 @@ void GFX_2D_Renderer_Close(GFX_2D_RENDERER *renderer)
 void GFX_2D_Renderer_Upload(
     GFX_2D_RENDERER *renderer, GFX_2D_SURFACE_DESC *desc, const uint8_t *data)
 {
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
     const uint32_t width = desc->width;
     const uint32_t height = desc->height;
 
@@ -87,6 +91,7 @@ void GFX_2D_Renderer_Upload(
 
 void GFX_2D_Renderer_Render(GFX_2D_RENDERER *renderer)
 {
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
     GFX_GL_Program_Bind(&renderer->program);
     GFX_GL_Buffer_Bind(&renderer->surface_buffer);
     GFX_GL_VertexArray_Bind(&renderer->surface_format);
diff --git a/src/libtrx/gfx/3d/3d_renderer.c b/src/libtrx/gfx/3d/3d_renderer.c
index 5626fe633..bb3018813 100644
--- a/src/libtrx/gfx/3d/3d_renderer.c
+++ b/src/libtrx/gfx/3d/3d_renderer.c
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ static void M_SelectTextureImpl(GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, int texture_num);
 
 static void M_SelectTextureImpl(GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, int texture_num)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
 
     GFX_GL_TEXTURE *texture = NULL;
     if (texture_num == GFX_ENV_MAP_TEXTURE) {
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ void GFX_3D_Renderer_Init(
     GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, const GFX_CONFIG *const config)
 {
     LOG_INFO("");
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
 
     renderer->config = config;
 
@@ -55,9 +55,11 @@ void GFX_3D_Renderer_Init(
 
     GFX_GL_Program_Init(&renderer->program);
     GFX_GL_Program_AttachShader(
-        &renderer->program, GL_VERTEX_SHADER, "shaders/3d.glsl");
+        &renderer->program, GL_VERTEX_SHADER, "shaders/3d.glsl",
+        config->backend);
     GFX_GL_Program_AttachShader(
-        &renderer->program, GL_FRAGMENT_SHADER, "shaders/3d.glsl");
+        &renderer->program, GL_FRAGMENT_SHADER, "shaders/3d.glsl",
+        config->backend);
     GFX_GL_Program_Link(&renderer->program);
 
     renderer->loc_mat_projection =
@@ -93,7 +95,7 @@ void GFX_3D_Renderer_Init(
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_Close(GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer)
 {
     LOG_INFO("");
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
 
     GFX_3D_VertexStream_Close(&renderer->vertex_stream);
     GFX_GL_Program_Close(&renderer->program);
@@ -102,7 +104,7 @@ void GFX_3D_Renderer_Close(GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer)
 
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_RenderBegin(GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
     glEnable(GL_BLEND);
 
     glLineWidth(renderer->config->line_width);
@@ -145,7 +147,7 @@ void GFX_3D_Renderer_RenderBegin(GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer)
 
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_RenderEnd(GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
     GFX_3D_VertexStream_RenderPending(&renderer->vertex_stream);
 
     GFX_GL_CheckError();
@@ -213,8 +215,8 @@ void GFX_3D_Renderer_FillEnvironmentMap(GFX_3D_RENDERER *const renderer)
 int GFX_3D_Renderer_RegisterTexturePage(
     GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, const void *data, int width, int height)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
-    assert(data);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
+    assert(data != NULL);
     GFX_GL_TEXTURE *texture = GFX_GL_Texture_Create(GL_TEXTURE_2D);
     GFX_GL_Texture_Load(texture, data, width, height, GL_RGBA, GL_RGBA);
 
@@ -236,7 +238,7 @@ int GFX_3D_Renderer_RegisterTexturePage(
 bool GFX_3D_Renderer_UnregisterTexturePage(
     GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, int texture_num)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
     assert(texture_num >= 0);
     assert(texture_num < GFX_MAX_TEXTURES);
 
@@ -260,8 +262,8 @@ bool GFX_3D_Renderer_UnregisterTexturePage(
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_RenderPrimStrip(
     GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, GFX_3D_VERTEX *vertices, int count)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
-    assert(vertices);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
+    assert(vertices != NULL);
     GFX_3D_VertexStream_PushPrimStrip(
         &renderer->vertex_stream, vertices, count);
 }
@@ -269,22 +271,22 @@ void GFX_3D_Renderer_RenderPrimStrip(
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_RenderPrimFan(
     GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, GFX_3D_VERTEX *vertices, int count)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
-    assert(vertices);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
+    assert(vertices != NULL);
     GFX_3D_VertexStream_PushPrimFan(&renderer->vertex_stream, vertices, count);
 }
 
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_RenderPrimList(
     GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, GFX_3D_VERTEX *vertices, int count)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
-    assert(vertices);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
+    assert(vertices != NULL);
     GFX_3D_VertexStream_PushPrimList(&renderer->vertex_stream, vertices, count);
 }
 
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_SelectTexture(GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, int texture_num)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
     GFX_3D_VertexStream_RenderPending(&renderer->vertex_stream);
     renderer->selected_texture_num = texture_num;
     M_SelectTextureImpl(renderer, texture_num);
@@ -292,14 +294,14 @@ void GFX_3D_Renderer_SelectTexture(GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, int texture_num)
 
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_RestoreTexture(GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
     M_SelectTextureImpl(renderer, renderer->selected_texture_num);
 }
 
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_SetPrimType(
     GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, GFX_3D_PRIM_TYPE value)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
     GFX_3D_VertexStream_RenderPending(&renderer->vertex_stream);
     GFX_3D_VertexStream_SetPrimType(&renderer->vertex_stream, value);
 }
@@ -307,7 +309,7 @@ void GFX_3D_Renderer_SetPrimType(
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_SetTextureFilter(
     GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, GFX_TEXTURE_FILTER filter)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
     GFX_3D_VertexStream_RenderPending(&renderer->vertex_stream);
     GFX_GL_Sampler_Parameteri(
         &renderer->sampler, GL_TEXTURE_MAG_FILTER,
@@ -323,7 +325,7 @@ void GFX_3D_Renderer_SetTextureFilter(
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_SetDepthWritesEnabled(
     GFX_3D_RENDERER *const renderer, const bool is_enabled)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
     GFX_3D_VertexStream_RenderPending(&renderer->vertex_stream);
     if (is_enabled) {
         glDepthMask(GL_TRUE);
@@ -335,7 +337,7 @@ void GFX_3D_Renderer_SetDepthWritesEnabled(
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_SetDepthTestEnabled(
     GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, bool is_enabled)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
     GFX_3D_VertexStream_RenderPending(&renderer->vertex_stream);
     if (is_enabled) {
         glEnable(GL_DEPTH_TEST);
@@ -366,7 +368,7 @@ void GFX_3D_Renderer_SetBlendingMode(
 void GFX_3D_Renderer_SetTexturingEnabled(
     GFX_3D_RENDERER *renderer, bool is_enabled)
 {
-    assert(renderer);
+    assert(renderer != NULL);
     GFX_3D_VertexStream_RenderPending(&renderer->vertex_stream);
     GFX_GL_Program_Uniform1i(
         &renderer->program, renderer->loc_texturing_enabled, is_enabled);
diff --git a/src/libtrx/gfx/context.c b/src/libtrx/gfx/context.c
index a30e25ad0..3a4ca7767 100644
--- a/src/libtrx/gfx/context.c
+++ b/src/libtrx/gfx/context.c
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 #include "memory.h"
 
 #include <SDL2/SDL_video.h>
+#include <assert.h>
 #include <string.h>
 
 typedef struct {
@@ -99,33 +100,23 @@ void GFX_Context_SwitchToDisplayViewport(void)
     GFX_GL_CheckError();
 }
 
-void GFX_Context_SetupEnvironment(void)
-{
-    switch (GFX_GL_DEFAULT_BACKEND) {
-    case GFX_GL_21:
-        SDL_GL_SetAttribute(SDL_GL_CONTEXT_MAJOR_VERSION, 2);
-        SDL_GL_SetAttribute(SDL_GL_CONTEXT_MINOR_VERSION, 1);
-        break;
-
-    case GFX_GL_33C:
-        SDL_GL_SetAttribute(SDL_GL_CONTEXT_MAJOR_VERSION, 3);
-        SDL_GL_SetAttribute(SDL_GL_CONTEXT_MINOR_VERSION, 3);
-        SDL_GL_SetAttribute(
-            SDL_GL_CONTEXT_PROFILE_MASK, SDL_GL_CONTEXT_PROFILE_CORE);
-        break;
-    }
-}
-
-void GFX_Context_Attach(void *window_handle)
+bool GFX_Context_Attach(void *window_handle, GFX_GL_BACKEND backend)
 {
     const char *shading_ver;
 
     if (m_Context.window_handle) {
-        return;
+        LOG_ERROR("Context already attached");
+        return false;
     }
 
     LOG_INFO("Attaching to window %p", window_handle);
+    m_Context.context = SDL_GL_CreateContext(window_handle);
+    if (m_Context.context == NULL) {
+        LOG_ERROR("Can't create OpenGL context: %s", SDL_GetError());
+        return false;
+    }
 
+    m_Context.config.backend = backend;
     m_Context.config.line_width = 1;
     m_Context.config.enable_wireframe = false;
     m_Context.render_mode = -1;
@@ -136,12 +127,6 @@ void GFX_Context_Attach(void *window_handle)
 
     m_Context.window_handle = window_handle;
 
-    m_Context.context = SDL_GL_CreateContext(m_Context.window_handle);
-
-    if (m_Context.context == NULL) {
-        Shell_ExitSystemFmt("Can't create OpenGL context: %s", SDL_GetError());
-    }
-
     if (SDL_GL_MakeCurrent(m_Context.window_handle, m_Context.context)) {
         Shell_ExitSystemFmt(
             "Can't activate OpenGL context: %s", SDL_GetError());
@@ -159,7 +144,7 @@ void GFX_Context_Attach(void *window_handle)
     }
 
     // Check the availability of non-Core Profile extensions for OpenGL 2.1
-    if (GFX_GL_DEFAULT_BACKEND == GFX_GL_21) {
+    if (m_Context.config.backend == GFX_GL_21) {
         M_CheckExtensionSupport("GL_ARB_explicit_attrib_location");
         M_CheckExtensionSupport("GL_EXT_gpu_shader4");
     }
@@ -171,8 +156,9 @@ void GFX_Context_Attach(void *window_handle)
     // VSync defaults to on unless user disabled it in runtime json
     SDL_GL_SetSwapInterval(1);
 
-    GFX_2D_Renderer_Init(&m_Context.renderer_2d);
+    GFX_2D_Renderer_Init(&m_Context.renderer_2d, &m_Context.config);
     GFX_3D_Renderer_Init(&m_Context.renderer_3d, &m_Context.config);
+    return true;
 }
 
 void GFX_Context_Detach(void)
diff --git a/src/libtrx/gfx/gl/program.c b/src/libtrx/gfx/gl/program.c
index c45c182bf..01217f1f1 100644
--- a/src/libtrx/gfx/gl/program.c
+++ b/src/libtrx/gfx/gl/program.c
@@ -87,7 +87,8 @@ char *GFX_GL_Program_PreprocessShader(
 }
 
 void GFX_GL_Program_AttachShader(
-    GFX_GL_PROGRAM *program, GLenum type, const char *path)
+    GFX_GL_PROGRAM *program, GLenum type, const char *path,
+    const GFX_GL_BACKEND backend)
 {
     assert(program != NULL);
     assert(path != NULL);
@@ -104,7 +105,7 @@ void GFX_GL_Program_AttachShader(
     }
 
     char *processed_content =
-        GFX_GL_Program_PreprocessShader(content, type, GFX_GL_DEFAULT_BACKEND);
+        GFX_GL_Program_PreprocessShader(content, type, backend);
     Memory_FreePointer(&content);
     if (!processed_content) {
         Shell_ExitSystemFmt("Failed to pre-process shader source:  %s", path);
diff --git a/src/libtrx/gfx/renderers/fbo_renderer.c b/src/libtrx/gfx/renderers/fbo_renderer.c
index b9736dfa4..68e0f8a05 100644
--- a/src/libtrx/gfx/renderers/fbo_renderer.c
+++ b/src/libtrx/gfx/renderers/fbo_renderer.c
@@ -100,9 +100,10 @@ static void M_Init(GFX_RENDERER *const renderer, const GFX_CONFIG *const config)
 
     GFX_GL_Program_Init(&priv->program);
     GFX_GL_Program_AttachShader(
-        &priv->program, GL_VERTEX_SHADER, "shaders/fbo.glsl");
+        &priv->program, GL_VERTEX_SHADER, "shaders/fbo.glsl", config->backend);
     GFX_GL_Program_AttachShader(
-        &priv->program, GL_FRAGMENT_SHADER, "shaders/fbo.glsl");
+        &priv->program, GL_FRAGMENT_SHADER, "shaders/fbo.glsl",
+        config->backend);
     GFX_GL_Program_Link(&priv->program);
     GFX_GL_Program_FragmentData(&priv->program, "fragColor");
 
diff --git a/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/2d/2d_renderer.h b/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/2d/2d_renderer.h
index 661a40760..162dfdd33 100644
--- a/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/2d/2d_renderer.h
+++ b/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/2d/2d_renderer.h
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include "../config.h"
 #include "../gl/buffer.h"
 #include "../gl/program.h"
 #include "../gl/sampler.h"
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ typedef struct {
     GFX_GL_PROGRAM program;
 } GFX_2D_RENDERER;
 
-void GFX_2D_Renderer_Init(GFX_2D_RENDERER *renderer);
+void GFX_2D_Renderer_Init(GFX_2D_RENDERER *renderer, const GFX_CONFIG *config);
 void GFX_2D_Renderer_Close(GFX_2D_RENDERER *renderer);
 
 void GFX_2D_Renderer_Upload(
diff --git a/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/common.h b/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/common.h
index b2d5d310f..7ced70725 100644
--- a/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/common.h
+++ b/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/common.h
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ typedef enum {
 } GFX_RENDER_MODE;
 
 typedef enum {
+    GFX_GL_INVALID_BACKEND,
     GFX_GL_21,
     GFX_GL_33C,
 } GFX_GL_BACKEND;
diff --git a/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/config.h b/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/config.h
index ec1f4963f..c7354d206 100644
--- a/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/config.h
+++ b/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/config.h
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@
 #include <stdint.h>
 
 typedef struct {
+    GFX_GL_BACKEND backend;
+
     GFX_TEXTURE_FILTER display_filter;
     bool enable_wireframe;
     int32_t line_width;
diff --git a/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/context.h b/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/context.h
index 8295b1539..94feab3e3 100644
--- a/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/context.h
+++ b/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/context.h
@@ -8,8 +8,7 @@
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include <stdint.h>
 
-void GFX_Context_SetupEnvironment(void);
-void GFX_Context_Attach(void *window_handle);
+bool GFX_Context_Attach(void *window_handle, GFX_GL_BACKEND backend);
 void GFX_Context_Detach(void);
 
 void GFX_Context_SetDisplayFilter(GFX_TEXTURE_FILTER filter);
diff --git a/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/gl/program.h b/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/gl/program.h
index 0ab22dae7..145666ac4 100644
--- a/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/gl/program.h
+++ b/src/libtrx/include/libtrx/gfx/gl/program.h
@@ -17,7 +17,8 @@ void GFX_GL_Program_Bind(GFX_GL_PROGRAM *program);
 char *GFX_GL_Program_PreprocessShader(
     const char *content, GLenum type, GFX_GL_BACKEND backend);
 void GFX_GL_Program_AttachShader(
-    GFX_GL_PROGRAM *program, GLenum type, const char *path);
+    GFX_GL_PROGRAM *program, GLenum type, const char *path,
+    GFX_GL_BACKEND backend);
 void GFX_GL_Program_Link(GFX_GL_PROGRAM *program);
 void GFX_GL_Program_FragmentData(GFX_GL_PROGRAM *program, const char *name);
 GLint GFX_GL_Program_UniformLocation(GFX_GL_PROGRAM *program, const char *name);
diff --git a/src/libtrx/meson.build b/src/libtrx/meson.build
index a341f262d..e1bdc3a63 100644
--- a/src/libtrx/meson.build
+++ b/src/libtrx/meson.build
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ project(
 
 staticdeps = get_option('staticdeps')
 tr_version = get_option('tr_version')
-gfx_gl_default_backend = get_option('gfx_gl_default_backend')
 
 fs = import('fs')
 c_compiler = meson.get_compiler('c')
@@ -23,7 +22,6 @@ build_opts = [
   '-DPCRE2_STATIC',
   '-DPCRE2_CODE_UNIT_WIDTH=8',
   '-DTR_VERSION=' + tr_version.to_string(),
-  '-DGFX_GL_DEFAULT_BACKEND=' + gfx_gl_default_backend,
 ]
 set_variable('defines', ['-DTR_VERSION=' + tr_version.to_string()])
 
diff --git a/src/libtrx/meson.options b/src/libtrx/meson.options
index 557d1ba27..6eb2c463e 100644
--- a/src/libtrx/meson.options
+++ b/src/libtrx/meson.options
@@ -12,9 +12,3 @@ option(
   max: 2,
   description: 'Which engine version to compile for'
 )
-
-option(
-  'gfx_gl_default_backend',
-  type: 'string',
-  description: 'Which OpenGL version to target'
-)
diff --git a/src/tr1/meson.build b/src/tr1/meson.build
index 12c77ab0b..a15a23a04 100644
--- a/src/tr1/meson.build
+++ b/src/tr1/meson.build
@@ -7,15 +7,8 @@ project(
   ],
 )
 
-if host_machine.system() == 'darwin'
-  gfx_gl_default_backend = 'GFX_GL_33C'
-else
-  gfx_gl_default_backend = 'GFX_GL_21'
-endif
-
 trx = subproject('libtrx', default_options: {
   'tr_version': '1',
-  'gfx_gl_default_backend': gfx_gl_default_backend,
 })
 c_compiler = meson.get_compiler('c')
 
diff --git a/src/tr1/specific/s_output.c b/src/tr1/specific/s_output.c
index 756d5b32c..3bf47d40d 100644
--- a/src/tr1/specific/s_output.c
+++ b/src/tr1/specific/s_output.c
@@ -854,7 +854,6 @@ bool S_Output_Init(void)
         m_TextureSurfaces[i] = NULL;
     }
 
-    GFX_Context_Attach(S_Shell_GetWindowHandle());
     m_Renderer2D = GFX_Context_GetRenderer2D();
     m_Renderer3D = GFX_Context_GetRenderer3D();
 
diff --git a/src/tr1/specific/s_shell.c b/src/tr1/specific/s_shell.c
index 9e9abc3db..af6eefc7a 100644
--- a/src/tr1/specific/s_shell.c
+++ b/src/tr1/specific/s_shell.c
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
 
 #include <libtrx/filesystem.h>
 #include <libtrx/game/ui/common.h>
+#include <libtrx/gfx/common.h>
 #include <libtrx/gfx/context.h>
 #include <libtrx/log.h>
 #include <libtrx/memory.h>
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@
 #include <SDL2/SDL_mouse.h>
 #include <SDL2/SDL_stdinc.h>
 #include <SDL2/SDL_video.h>
+#include <assert.h>
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <stdio.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
@@ -159,6 +161,7 @@ void S_Shell_Init(void)
         g_Config.rendering.window_width, g_Config.rendering.window_height,
         true);
     M_SetWindowMaximized(g_Config.rendering.enable_maximized, true);
+    SDL_ShowWindow(m_Window);
 }
 
 void S_Shell_ShowFatalError(const char *message)
@@ -321,21 +324,66 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv)
     return 0;
 }
 
-void S_Shell_CreateWindow(void)
+static void M_SetGLBackend(const GFX_GL_BACKEND backend)
 {
-    GFX_Context_SetupEnvironment();
+    switch (backend) {
+    case GFX_GL_21:
+        SDL_GL_SetAttribute(SDL_GL_CONTEXT_MAJOR_VERSION, 2);
+        SDL_GL_SetAttribute(SDL_GL_CONTEXT_MINOR_VERSION, 1);
+        SDL_GL_SetAttribute(SDL_GL_CONTEXT_PROFILE_MASK, 0);
+        break;
+
+    case GFX_GL_33C:
+        SDL_GL_SetAttribute(SDL_GL_CONTEXT_MAJOR_VERSION, 3);
+        SDL_GL_SetAttribute(SDL_GL_CONTEXT_MINOR_VERSION, 3);
+        SDL_GL_SetAttribute(
+            SDL_GL_CONTEXT_PROFILE_MASK, SDL_GL_CONTEXT_PROFILE_CORE);
+        break;
+
+    case GFX_GL_INVALID_BACKEND:
+        assert(false);
+        break;
+    }
+}
 
-    m_Window = SDL_CreateWindow(
-        "TR1X", SDL_WINDOWPOS_UNDEFINED, SDL_WINDOWPOS_UNDEFINED, 1280, 720,
-        SDL_WINDOW_SHOWN | SDL_WINDOW_FULLSCREEN_DESKTOP | SDL_WINDOW_RESIZABLE
-            | SDL_WINDOW_OPENGL);
+void S_Shell_CreateWindow(void)
+{
+    const GFX_GL_BACKEND backends_to_try[] = {
+        // clang-format off
+        GFX_GL_33C,
+        GFX_GL_21,
+        GFX_GL_INVALID_BACKEND, // guard
+        // clang-format on
+    };
+
+    for (int32_t i = 0; backends_to_try[i] != GFX_GL_INVALID_BACKEND; i++) {
+        const GFX_GL_BACKEND backend = backends_to_try[i];
+
+        M_SetGLBackend(backend);
+
+        SDL_Window *const window = SDL_CreateWindow(
+            "TR1X", SDL_WINDOWPOS_UNDEFINED, SDL_WINDOWPOS_UNDEFINED, 1280, 720,
+            SDL_WINDOW_HIDDEN | SDL_WINDOW_FULLSCREEN_DESKTOP
+                | SDL_WINDOW_RESIZABLE | SDL_WINDOW_OPENGL);
+
+        if (window == NULL) {
+            Shell_ExitSystem("System Error: cannot create window");
+            return;
+        }
 
-    if (!m_Window) {
-        S_Shell_ShowFatalError("System Error: cannot create window");
-        return;
+        int32_t major;
+        int32_t minor;
+        SDL_GL_GetAttribute(SDL_GL_CONTEXT_MAJOR_VERSION, &major);
+        SDL_GL_GetAttribute(SDL_GL_CONTEXT_MINOR_VERSION, &minor);
+        LOG_DEBUG("Trying GL backend %d.%d", major, minor);
+        if (GFX_Context_Attach(window, backend)) {
+            m_Window = window;
+            S_Shell_HandleWindowResize();
+            return;
+        }
     }
 
-    S_Shell_HandleWindowResize();
+    Shell_ExitSystem("System Error: cannot attach opengl context");
 }
 
 bool S_Shell_GetCommandLine(int *arg_count, char ***args)
diff --git a/src/tr2/meson.build b/src/tr2/meson.build
index 04511c943..77f58a316 100644
--- a/src/tr2/meson.build
+++ b/src/tr2/meson.build
@@ -5,15 +5,8 @@ project('TR2X', ['c'],
   ],
 )
 
-if host_machine.system() == 'darwin'
-  gfx_gl_default_backend = 'GFX_GL_33C'
-else
-  gfx_gl_default_backend = 'GFX_GL_21'
-endif
-
 trx = subproject('libtrx', default_options: {
   'tr_version': '2',
-  'gfx_gl_default_backend': gfx_gl_default_backend,
 })
 c_compiler = meson.get_compiler('c')