The ModRetro Chromatic is available for pre-order at GameStop ahead of its upcoming holiday release. The Chromatic is a modernized Game Boy that aims to deliver an authentic experience with modern technological advancements. It plays original Game Boy and GBC cartridges, as well as new releases from the Chromatic brand. Funded by Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey, the Chromatic has been available for pre-order at ModRetro in six color options since its June reveal, but you can now order the gray model at GameStop. Since ModRetro has partnered exclusively with GameStop, you won’t find the Chromatic at any other major retailer.
The ModRetro Chromatic will cost $199 and will come with a new Tetris cartridge. According to GameStop’s listing, the Chromatic will be released on December 1, with pre-orders arriving “on or shortly after release.”
$199
So what makes the Chromatic potentially a challenger to other devices like the Analogue Pocket? Both handhelds are FPGA devices that precisely replicate the performance of games on the original hardware, but they have different design philosophies. The Chromatic is dedicated to making you feel like you were playing your childhood Game Boy or Game Boy Color, while the Pocket takes a more expansive approach.
For example, the Chromatic aims to mimic the pixel structure and color accuracy of the GBC. It has a 2.6-inch screen with a resolution of 160 x 144p, which is the same spec as the Game Boy Color. But you don’t have to strain your eyes, because you can actually see what’s happening in the game, even without perfect lighting conditions or accessories that unevenly illuminate the Game Boy. The Chromatic has a backlit IPS screen made of scratch-resistant, anti-glare glass.
Meanwhile, the Analog Pocket features a 3.5-inch glass display with a resolution of 1600 x 1440p and 615 pixels per inch. Analog’s custom pixel-perfect filters make Game Boy, GBC, and GBA games look really cool. You can change the filters to mimic specific Game Boy models, from thick DMGs to GBCs to backlit GBA SPs.
Chromatic is exclusive to Game Boy and GBC games, while Pocket supports GB, GBC. and The GBA comes out of the box, with adapters for Game Gear, Atari Lynx, TurboGrafx-16, and Neo Geo Pocket Color carts sold separately. The FPGA core can be added via microSD, so it can be played on other platforms with a little tweaking. As a result of the broader platform support, the Pocket has four face buttons and two triggers, while the Chromatic has just two face buttons and a D-pad.
While I haven’t had a chance to try out the Chromatic, the construction materials for the shell and buttons look promising. The buttons are made of PBT, a durable thermoplastic used for keycaps on high-end mechanical keyboards. The shell is made of magnesium alloy and has the exact same shape as the original DMG Game Boy. Even the Start and Select buttons echo the Game Boy’s diagonal design. ModRetro claims the case is “virtually indestructible,” which could inspire some creative drop tests.
One of the cool things about the Chromatic is its battery versatility. It comes with three AA batteries, which will run for 24 hours before needing to be replaced. Rechargeable AA batteries are also supported, and can be charged via USB-C. If you don’t want to use any kind of regular batteries, there’s also a rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack in the box.
Other notable features include video output for capturing gameplay on a PC, a link cable port for multiplayer, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an IR sensor used for select multiplayer features, such as receiving Mystery Gifts in Pokémon Gold and Silver. All multiplayer features are backwards compatible with the original hardware.
ModRetro Chromatic Specifications
- price – $199 for the first edition bundle that includes Tetris Kart
- Compatibility – Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Chromatic Cartridge
- Show – Backlit 2.56 inch IPS LCD (sapphire crystal glass)
- solve – 160 x 144p
- size – 5.2 x 3 x 1.2 inches, 6.2 ounces
- husks – Magnesium alloy thixomold shell
- Button – PBT face buttons and D-pad
- battery – 24 hours with 3 AA batteries, Lithium-ion rechargeable battery pack
- Audio – Built-in speaker, 3.5mm headphone
- port – USB-C with link cable, 3.5mm audio, and video output
- Multiplayer – Link cable compatible with previous versions, via IR sensor
- colors – Gray (GameStop exclusive) | Also available in 6 other colors at ModRetro
If you don’t have a Game Boy library, there are additional chromatic cartridges available for purchase separately. Seven games will be available at launch, excluding Tetris, and ModRetro plans to release new cartridges every month. The chromatic cartridges use the Game Boy architecture, so they will run on the original hardware and analog pockets without any issues.
ModRetro Chromatic Release Game
- Dark 2 — $40
- Chante — $40
- Patch Match — $30
- Traumatarium Penitent — $40
- Monsterland Story DX — $40
- Toki Tori: Ultimate Edition — $45
- Dragon — $45
- Launch Title Bundle — $199
Retro hardware coming soon
The Chromatic isn’t the only new or upcoming retro handheld or console that’s worth your attention.
Evercade console, handheld, arcade machine
Blaze Entertainment has a new Evercade VS-R, cartridge-based home console, priced at just $100. Originally a remaster of the Evercade VS, the VS-R comes with the Tomb Raider Collection, an all-new Evercade cartridge release featuring Lara Croft’s first three adventures. The other retro cartridge compilations are sold separately for $20-$25 each, and the Evercade library now features over 50 carts and over 500 games. Evercade EXP-R–The VS-R’s handheld sibling–also comes with the Tomb Raider Collection and will retail for $100. Originally scheduled to release on the same day as the VS-R, the EXP-R will now be available on November 29th.
For those who already own an Evercade handheld and/or console, there’s also some completely new hardware in the pipeline. Evercade Alpha Arcade Machine A small countertop cabinet that can play any cartridge. Available in two Capcom-themed models: Street Fighter II and Mega Man. Both countercades come preloaded with six games and can be pre-ordered for $20 off. However, the discount will disappear when Evercade Alpha launches on November 29.
Atari 7800+
Nostalgic Atari fans can pre-order the Atari 7800+ on Amazon for $130 ahead of its November 29 release. The successor to last year’s Atari 2600+, the 7800+ is a modern take on the classic console that plays old 2600 and 7800 carts as well as a collection of new releases. It comes with a wireless version of the CX78+ gamepad and Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest, the sequel to the 1983 arcade game Crystal Castles. Additional accessories like the CX40+ wireless joystick and game cartridges can be pre-ordered separately.
Full list of Atari 7800+ games and accessories available for pre-order on Amazon:
