When the ModRetro Chromatic was first announced, it instantly grabbed my attention. As a huge fan of both the original Nintendo DMG Game Boy and the Game Boy Color, the prospect of a premium 2024 version of the legendary handheld—helmed by Palmer Luckey, the visionary behind the early days of VR and founder of Oculus—felt like a dream come true for retro enthusiasts. Released in mid-December, the ModRetro Chromatic not only introduces new Game Boy hardware but also brings the promise of brand-new physical releases of indie titles developed specifically for the Chromatic.
For my review, ModRetro sent me four games: Tales of Monsterland DX, Traumatarium Penitent, Dragonhym and the pack-in title, Tetris by ModRetro themselves (with all the physical releases published by ModRetro).
It should be noted that, as the ModRetro Chromatic is an FPGA-based handheld, all new physical releases for the device should function on original Nintendo hardware, including most clone systems and other modern devices such as the Analogue Pocket.
In other words, ModRetro has you covered if you’re just interested in purchasing brand-new physical cartridges for play on Game Boy hardware. That said, whether you’re playing legacy Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles or new indie releases, the ModRetro Chromatic is, hands down, the best way to experience Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles.
And yes, I’m taking into account the slew of other handhelds and Game Boy derivatives (including mods) currently on the market when making that statement—the ModRetro Chromatic is still the best way to play your old games in 2024 and into the foreseeable future. Now, before I get too ahead of myself, let’s back things up and talk about the actual unboxing experience.
“The ModRetro Chromatic is hands down the best way to experience Game Boy and Color titles.”
The ModRetro Chromatic ships in a fun, slightly oversized, phone-style package with a distinct triangular cut-out on the bottom left, showcasing the colour variant of the Chromatic inside. The front and back of the packaging feature charming artwork with a notebook paper texture and doodles reminiscent of what a kid in the ’90s or early 2000s might draw.
There is a deliberate sense of design that permeates every aspect of the ModRetro Chromatic—from its packaging to the device itself and even the accessories that come with the games, including the cartridge designs. The team behind ModRetro seems intent on capturing the attention of both newcomers, with the promise of new releases, and those who grew up with the original DMG Game Boy and Game Boy Color. The ModRetro Chromatic feels built for every kid—or kid-at-heart gamer—out there.
I was sent the Inferno orange variant of the ModRetro Chromatic, which fits in nicely with the other available colour variants: green, baby blue, yellow, grey and black, some of which seem inspired by the first generation of Pokémon games. It should be noted that the First Edition wave of Chromatics has been sold out for some time, but GameStop has you covered with their exclusive and classy-looking grey-and-red variant.
“as the ModRetro Chromatic feels built for every kid or kid-at-heart gamer out there.”
Despite its clear intent to capture the attention of younger audiences or those with an affinity for the Game Boy Color, the ModRetro Chromatic is anything but a toy—and I don’t just mean its steep asking price. The ModRetro Chromatic is an incredibly premium-feeling device, from its outstanding build quality, which relies on a magnesium alloy shell, to its thoughtfully designed battery compartment, and finally, its crowning jewel: the 160×144-pixel sapphire display.
Without a doubt, the ModRetro Chromatic’s 160×144 screen is both its greatest asset and its only notable point of contention. If you’ve ever played on an original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, or even a backlit Game Boy Advance SP, you’ll know that beyond the nostalgia factor of those devices, the actual gameplay experience can be rough at best—made worse when played outdoors.
Of course, it’s 2024, and most people have smartphones or dedicated emulation devices that can outperform every version of the Game Boy. Still, even with a deluge of digital filters, scanlines and other advanced features, ModRetro has gone above and beyond in crafting a display that looks unparalleled in person, thanks largely to its attention to colour reproduction quality and its custom low-resolution screen.
Unfortunately, the ModRetro Chromatic might not be a device for everyone. Due to its reliance on a custom panel, the Chromatic device—despite its FPGA-based hardware likely being able to technically run games from other platforms—will always be limited by its 160×144 display. Additionally, the use of a custom-tailored screen, combined with the premium-feeling chassis and buttons, contributes to the high asking price, which may be prohibitive for some, especially considering that the Chromatic can only play Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles.
“ModRetro has gone above and beyond in crafting a display that just looks unparalleled in person.”
Ultimately, however, ModRetro set out to do one thing, and they’ve done it almost perfectly: play DMG and Color games as they were meant to be played, with the added bonus of modern technology that delivers a better-than-stock experience—something that would have been impossible during the height of the Game Boy’s popularity.
Playing games on the ModRetro Chromatic is a joy, thanks to solid-feeling face buttons and a large, responsive D-pad, which feel better than stock. The basic controls still feel close to how you may remember them from back in the day, just more robust. This is a welcome improvement, as going back to my Game Boy Pocket or backlit-modded GBA made my hands cramp at the sight of them.
On the topic of modded Game Boys, an argument can be made that a modded system might be a better option, and in some cases, that’s true. However, in terms of convenience and overall quality, ModRetro’s offerings are hard to beat.
Outside of the expected buttons—which all feel great—the ModRetro Chromatic has a dedicated menu button on the right side of the unit, removing the need for button combinations to access settings. From the menu, users can find an assortment of options, most notably frame blending (for games that require it), a brightness toggle and the ability to check the current firmware and battery percentage.
Since ModRetro has opted to use an FPGA-based solution, their handheld is also capable of recreating the experience of playing original Game Boy titles on Game Boy Color hardware, meaning certain button combinations during the power-on cycle will result in fun gradient map or colour palettes being applied to legacy titles.
Battery life is solid, lasting a little over five hours before the low-battery indicator appears in the top-right corner of the screen. As of this writing, there is no way to remove the low-battery icon from the display, but the ModRetro team seems aware of the issue, meaning it will likely be addressed in a future firmware update. On the topic of batteries, the box includes three AA batteries with ModRetro branding, which is a nice touch. The device also ships with a USB-C port on the bottom of the unit, next to the headphone jack (remember those?).
Inside the latch, behind the battery terminals, are points reserved for a yet-to-be-released battery pack, which will charge over USB-C. The reliance on AA batteries is a smart move, as it prevents obsolescence caused by proprietary or non-removable batteries. The ModRetro Chromatic can also be played using the USB-C port, even without batteries inserted, meaning desperate gamers can still use their new fancy Game Boys in a pinch.
Beyond charging and easy firmware updates, the USB-C port on ModRetro’s latest offering allows gameplay footage to be captured via OBS capture software. This is a nice bonus that doesn’t require additional hardware or a dedicated dock, making it an ideal choice for streamers and content creators.
Finally, in terms of compatibility, the ModRetro Chromatic ran almost everything I tested, including original Game Boy titles and Colour exclusives such as Super Mario Bros. DX, Metal Gear Solid (Ghost Babel), Pokémon Blue, and The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror. It also worked seamlessly with all the new physical games published by ModRetro that were included with the review unit. The only cartridge I own that refused to work was, unfortunately, my EZ Flash JR, a popular flashcard for Game Boy devices. On the Chromatic, it currently freezes after the initial splash screen. Thankfully, the ModRetro team seems aware of this issue and will hopefully address it in a future firmware update.
At the end of the day, the ModRetro Chromatic is a fantastic piece of hardware that showcases what the Game Boy and Colour hardware were capable of, in a brand-new light that looks better than the original. Its high asking price and reliance on cartridges may limit its appeal to casual players, but for Game Boy diehards, the ModRetro Chromatic is a must-buy item.
