Should you’re on the lookout for a final-minute reward for a Nintendo fan who grew up in the course of the Game Boy period, the newly launched ModRetro Chromatic is among the coolest retro gaming devices of 2024. The Chromatic is a modernized Game Boy Color that appears, performs, and seems like the true factor. Not like most retro handhelds that purpose to perform a little little bit of every thing, the Chromatic is unabashedly dedicated to the singular purpose of replicating the GBC expertise as you fondly bear in mind it. For the subset of retro players who crave authenticity, the Chromatic is an simple success. It is also probably the greatest-constructed transportable gadgets I’ve ever used.
There isn’t any scarcity of retro gaming handhelds available on the market at present, together with many that mimic Nintendo’s iconic Game Boy household. Most are emulation gadgets that may provide stable experiences for price range costs. However whereas most of those gadgets resemble the overall look of the Game Boy, the Chromatic is among the few that really replicates the expertise of enjoying on one. It takes “paying homage” to the following stage. Should you desire unique {hardware}, whether or not inventory or modded, the Chromatic is the closest approximation to the Game Boy I’ve ever performed. However in the event you slapped a Nintendo emblem on it and instructed me the Chromatic was Nintendo’s bounce into the premium retro {hardware} house, I would not consider you. Not as a result of it is inauthentic, however as a result of Nintendo would by no means mass produce a handheld constructed with such dear parts.
ModRetro was based by Palmer Luckey, who’s finest often known as the creator of the Oculus Rift. He bought Oculus VR to Fb in 2014 for $2 billion and went on to cofound Anduril Industries, a protection know-how firm, in 2017. Anduril Industries manufactures AI-powered navy gadgets similar to drones and sells them to the Division of Protection. It seems ModRetro is a ardour undertaking for Luckey, and primarily based on the Chromatic’s construct, he spared no expense making it occur.
The Chromatic performs all Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges in addition to Chromatic-branded carts. As a result of the Chromatic is an FPGA system, your entire unique cartridges will run precisely as they did on the Atomic Purple Game Boy Color you want you hadn’t bought at that storage sale as a child. This additionally means all Chromatic carts are merely Game Boy carts with completely different branding that work on unique {hardware}.
Whereas the Chromatic has just a few modifiable show settings, together with completely different ranges of brightness for the backlit display, Body Mixing, and Color Correction for streaming gameplay on pc displays, it was deliberately designed to copy, slightly than enhance, the visuals of the Game Boy Color. The backlit display understandably makes an enormous distinction, but it surely seems to be similar to a modded Game Boy Color with a pleasant backlit panel. The Chromatic has a 2.56-inch backlit IPS LCD fabricated from sapphire crystal. The display dimension is nearly similar to that of the Game Boy Pocket, which had a barely bigger display than the GBC (2.3 inches).
For purists who refuse to play video games on something however unique {hardware}, native decision is among the generally cited explanations. The Chromatic retains the GBC’s 160 x 144p decision, so each pixel is the correct dimension and in the correct spot. This can be a a lot completely different strategy than the Analogue Pocket, which has a 3.5-inch Gorilla Glass show with a staggering 1600 x 1440p decision and 650 pixels per inch. Video games play the identical on Pocket, however the tremendously elevated pixel density means they do not look precisely the identical. Whether or not they look higher or worse depends upon who you ask–I believe they give the impression of being better–but there is not any denying the Pocket’s display and inside tech are extra superior. It has show settings that replicate the look of varied Game Boy fashions in addition to its personal filters that successfully upscale the visuals. This additionally means the Pocket can recreate the inexperienced background coloration of the unique Game Boy DMG, which had a dot-matrix show. The Chromatic is not able to that; as a substitute, it shows unique Game Boy carts as they regarded on the Game Boy Color.
So whereas each the Chromatic and Pocket each play GB and GBC carts–the Pocket additionally performs GBA carts and helps adapters for different platforms–they aren’t doing precisely the identical factor. The Chromatic is made for individuals who need probably the most genuine Game Boy Color expertise doable with out shopping for and modding one. The Pocket is an openFPGA handheld with help for an extended listing of retro platforms. It has the overall Game Boy form, but it surely’s a bigger system with an enhanced visible expertise and tons of customization options.
I reviewed the Analogue Pocket when it launched again in 2021 and known as it one of the best ways to play Game Boy video games. I nonetheless really feel that approach at present, however remember the fact that I’m not somebody who cares about enjoying video games of their native decision with the identical pixel density, display dimension, and kind issue. Whereas I desire the Pocket resulting from its upscaled decision, the $199 Chromatic has a extra premium construct than the bottom Pocket for $220. And if I used to be selecting between the Chromatic and any of the modded Game Boys I’ve used, I might choose the Chromatic. It is extremely unlikely you might get a Game Boy Color and make it as good because the Chromatic for lower than its $199 launch worth. The construct high quality is critically spectacular.
From a really feel perspective, the Chromatic’s uncommonly used Sapphire Crystal panel isn’t any completely different from glass, although the know-how is often seen as much more proof against scratches than tempered and Gorilla Glass. A fast Google search will inform you that Sapphire can price 10 instances as a lot as Gorilla Glass. A 144p show using one of many priciest supplies doable is a peculiar combo, however that is the theme with the Chromatic as an entire: extremely-premium.
The Chromatic’s shell is 5.2 x 3 x 1.2 inches, a close to-precise match to the Game Boy Color’s 5.26 x 3.1 x 1.08-inch shell. However as a substitute of plastic, ModRetro used injection molding to craft the Chromatic’s magnesium alloy shell. Moveable gaming gadgets with metallic shells aren’t exceptional, however, once more, they are not widespread resulting from price. Analogue, for example, launched a restricted-version Pocket with an aluminum shell for $499 earlier this 12 months. Boxy Pixel, a preferred selection within the modding neighborhood, sells aluminum GBC sells for $72 and up. ModRetro constructed the Chromatic shells with the dear injection molding course of, which typically results in extra consistency and materials power. The Chromatic, unsurprisingly, is heavier than a Game Boy consequently. On the spec sheet, it is 6.2 ounces, whereas the Game Boy Color is 4.9 ounces with two batteries and the DMG is 7.8 ounces with 4 batteries. Whenever you pop in three AA batteries, the Chromatic is nearer to 9 ounces. I would not say it is heavy, however for a handheld this small, it undoubtedly has some heft to it. To be honest, magnesium alloy is the lightest structural metallic, so the Chromatic is probably going as gentle because it will get on this kind issue. And the metallic shell is necessary here–I undoubtedly would not commerce it for plastic.
The Chromatic is certainly the sturdiest handheld I’ve ever used. It is extraordinarily effectively-made, with no weak factors, creaks, or inconsistencies of any type. The remarkably premium really feel does include one caveat. As talked about, it mirrors the Game Boy Color in dimension. If you have not held a Game Boy as an grownup, it’s possible you’ll be stunned at how small it’s. As an grownup with common-sized arms, it took just a little time for me to readjust to the shape issue and display dimension. The slight little bit of added depth helps, and Nintendo’s vertically oriented Game Boys have surprisingly stable ergonomics normally. The Chromatic is snug to hold–for me a minimum of. The display and shell dimension is perhaps a difficulty for you, relying in your eyesight and hand dimension.
As with the remainder of the construct, the buttons are additionally fabricated from premium supplies. ModRetro constructed the D-pad and two face buttons with PBT, the identical thermoplastic used for keycaps on some excessive-finish mechanical keyboards. Like these keycaps, the D-pad has a barely textured, matte end, whereas the A and B buttons have a shiny coating. The D-pad is bigger and softer than ones discovered on Game Boys, which actually makes the Chromatic extra snug to carry and management. It is a very good D-pad with quick motion and constant journey distances with every faucet. The buttons are quieter than on many controllers, partly as a result of they do not rattle or wobble within the slightest. I believe the injection molding helped with getting the right match.
The entrance format is similar to the unique Game Boy, with even the Begin and Choose buttons being positioned diagonally. It is neat that the Chromatic borrows a small piece from every of the Game Boys it pays homage to. The place the Chromatic’s format differs is on the perimeters and prime. The energy change is positioned on the highest-left nook. The IR sensor, which is used for restricted multiplayer features like buying and selling Pokemon, is on the highest-proper nook. For extra conventional aggressive and cooperative multiplayer, the Chromatic has the Hyperlink Cable port on its left aspect and might be related to different Chromatics, Game Boys, and Analogue Pockets. The quantity rocker is on the correct, and the three.5mm headphone jack is (fortunately) on the underside proper nook.
The Chromatic, like principally each transportable system, sounds higher with headphones, however this little system has a really spectacular speaker. It is pitched as a “customized extremely-loud speaker module,” which is an correct description. After I examined it at full quantity with my workplace door closed, my household may hear it clearly within the different room. Extra importantly, the audio is crisp. Moveable speaker know-how has made large strides for the reason that ’90s, and it is put to right here, making for a pleasing listening expertise, with or with out headphones.
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The Chromatic has one button you will not discover on Game Boys. Whenever you flick the facility change, you are booted proper into the cartridge, identical to previous instances. However there’s a button on the correct aspect that pulls up a small settings menu. That is the place you may alter show brightness, enter silent mode (disables the sound output), and alter show settings. As talked about, there are solely two settings right here: Body Mix and Color Correction. The former fixes points with video games that the Game Boy’s display could not sustain with as a result of sluggish response instances of older display know-how. The frames would, in essence, mix collectively. Color Correction is disabled by default, although it’s going to come in useful in the event you determine to make the most of the Chromatic’s USB-C port.
You’ll be able to join the Chromatic to your PC through USB-C to stream gameplay with OBS. It isn’t a standard video-out operate, so you are not “docking” the Chromatic, however streamers can share gameplay and you’ll play on a bigger display with out streaming by merely beginning a neighborhood OBS stream. Trendy displays interfacing with retro {hardware} generally make coloration palettes look off, and that is the place Color Correction is available in to wash issues up.
Out of the field, the Chromatic is powered by three AA batteries. It comes with three Chromatic-branded batteries and is suitable with rechargeable AA batteries. Battery life might be extremely depending on brightness ranges, however I averaged six to seven hours earlier than needing to pop new ones in. I might undoubtedly suggest rechargeable Duracell or Energizer batteries to economize. It isn’t accessible but, however ModRetro could have a customized lithium-ion battery on the market that may be charged by means of the USB-C port. Should you do depend on swapping in AAs, the battery cowl and clip seems like they may maintain up loads higher than plastic covers and clips on unique Game Boy {hardware}.
Whereas the Chromatic is designed to play your entire previous Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, ModRetro has began its personal line of Chromatic-branded cartridges. Seven games are available at launch, with extra within the pipeline for early 2025. ModRetro rebuilt two of one of the best puzzle video games of the Game Boy period for the Chromatic’s launch. Identical to the unique Game Boy in 1989, “first version” Chromatic handhelds are bundled with Tetris at launch. Sure, precise, formally licensed Tetris. This enhanced model of the best puzzle sport of all time is excellent, with shiny and colourful 8-bit visuals and quite a few customization choices, together with the flexibility to toggle between trendy or basic guidelines. ModRetro additionally revitalized the GBC puzzle-platformer Toki Tori, and very like Tetris, it is a higher model of the sport because of quicker motion velocity and auto-bounce.
The different launch video games are indies from homebrew builders, together with one of the-anticipated titles within the Game Boy homebrew scene: Dragonyhm, beforehand often known as Dragonborne DX. This sprawling prime-down journey is a enjoyable mixture of Pokemon and Zelda that is undoubtedly value testing. Within the Darkish 2 is a narrative-primarily based, exceedingly intelligent puzzler from the co-creators of Grimace’s Birthday, whereas the Chromatic-exclusive Patchy Matchy is a very pleasing grid puzzle sport that is an ideal choose-up-and-play expertise. Traumatarium Penitent is a beautiful first-particular person dungeon crawler that I had already performed when the digital version launched earlier this 12 months (I might additionally suggest its predecessor, Traumatarium). Lastly, Tales of Monsterland DX is the improved and expanded model of one of many higher homebrew Game Boy platformers I’ve performed. Should you like Surprise Boy, you may most likely like this.
Except for Tetris, which is packaged with the Chromatic, every sport comes inside an previous-faculty type cardboard field with key artwork on the entrance and information on the again. Contained in the field you may discover an instruction guide, a plastic insert to carry the cartridge, and just a little allure that may very well be added to a allure bracelet (you probably have one).
The Chromatic costs $199 and is available in seven colors: Inferno (orange), Leaf (inexperienced), Bubblegum (pink), Volt (yellow), Wave (blue), Midnight (black), and a Game Boy DMG-impressed grey. The grey bundle is unique to GameStop, whereas the remainder of the colours are solely accessible immediately from ModRetro. The Chromatic seems to be simply nearly as good up shut because it does in photos. The packaging for the Chromatic is perhaps the best I’ve seen for a handheld. It is designed to appear like a college pocket book, full with a fold-out entrance cowl and a large assortment of colourful doodles surrounding photos of the hand held and “Chromatic” in bubble letters.
The backside line
ModRetro’s Chromatic is a really very good recreation of the Game Boy Color. If you’d like a close to-precise duplicate of your childhood Game Boy with a backlit display, that is the hand held for you. At $199, and even in the event you did not get a fantastic new spin on Tetris, I might argue the Chromatic is a discount resulting from its ridiculously premium construct. However it is a discount for a very particular sort of retro gamer. Should you’ve been contemplating modding a Game Boy or shopping for a pre-modded one from a reseller, the Chromatic is arguably the very best-finish modded Game Boy Color round. It isn’t anyplace near as versatile because the Analogue Pocket, however for individuals who need to play GB and GBC video games as authentically as doable, the Chromatic is as actual because it will get.
- Worth – $199 for first version bundle with Tetris cart
- Compatibility – Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Chromatic cartridges
- Show – 2.56-inch sapphire crystal backlit IPS LCD
- Decision – 160 x 144p
- Measurement – 5.2 x 3 x 1.2-inch
- Weight: 6.2 ounces
- Shell – Magnesium alloy thixomolded shell
- Buttons – PBT face buttons and D-pad
- Battery – 6-7 hours with two AA batteries (from our testing)
- Audio – inside speaker, 3.5mm headphones
- Ports – hyperlink cable, 3.5mm audio, USB-C with video out for streaming with OBS
- Multiplayer – through backwards suitable hyperlink cable, IR sensor
- Colours – Inferno, Leaf, Bubblegum, Volt, Wave, Midnight, Grey
ModRetro supplied GameSpot with the Chromatic and sport cartridges for the aim of this evaluation.