Look, let’s get this out of the way first:Oculus co-creatorand currentarms dealer Palmer Luckeyis an undeniably controversial figure. Whether it’s hisAndurildefense technology company orreports surrounding his political donations, many – including myself – take issue with Luckey. With this in mind, I was tornwhen LuckeyannouncedMod Retro and the Chromatic.
Now that I’ve spent the past few days playing several old-school Game Boy (GB) titles on the handheld, I can confidently say that it’s a great device.
The Chromatic is painstakingly designed to offer an authentic, modern spin on the classic Game Boy and Game Boy Color (GBC), down to its unique, pixel-perfect display. The handheld feels high-quality and plays classic/new GB and GBC cartridges, and Luckey has gone so far as to enlist developers to make new cartridge-based games for the handheld (these titles even play on the classic Game Boy, too).
If you’re able to get past the moral quandary that is Palmer Luckey (and I don’t blame you if you can’t), the Chromatic is one of thebest retro handheldsout there. Of course, you’ll also need to want to play Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles in the most authentic way possible, too, which isn’t for everyone and comes with its own set of obstacles to navigate.
As long as your goal is to play Game Boy and Game Boy Color games on more modern feeling hardware, Mod Retro’s Chromatic is very impressive. It’s solid design and unique screen replicates the old-school feel of the Game Boy Color excellently.
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Price, availability, and specs
The Chromatic isavailable now for $200. The handheld is FPGA-based, offering an authentic Game Boy experience, and plays physical cartridges, as it’s not compatible with ROMs. The handheld’s main draw is its unique 2.56-inch 160 x 144 pixel IPS LCD backlit display constructed of Sapphire Display crystal. It’s a little heavy, coming in at 6.2oz, partly due to its three AA batteries. The Chromatic doesn’t feature an internal battery.
Compatibility includes Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Chromatic cartridges. Most flash cartridges, which allow you to download and add ROMs to them, also work with the handheld. Other notable features include a built-in speaker, a 3.5mm headphone jack, a volume wheel, a backward compatible link cable port/IR link, and USB-C for video-out to a PC. Like the original Game Boy, the Chromatic features a D-pad, B, A, Select, and Start Buttons.
There’s also an on/off Switch at the top of the handheld, but it doesn’t lock the cartridge in place like the original Game Boy or Game Boy Color. And finally, the Chromatic features an additional button under its volume wheel for changing settings like brightness. Colors include inferno, leaf, bubblegum, and volt (inferno is the color in the photos in this review).
What I liked about the Chromatic
It’s the best Game Boy replacement out there
Many people will instantly compare the Chromatic to theAnalogue Pocket, and that makes sense because both handhelds aim to recreate the Game Boy experience with modern sensibilities. They feature backlit displays, high-quality designs, and roughly the same button layout as the retro handhelds they’re based on. But at the same time, they aim to accomplish different things.
The Analogue Pocket can play Game Boy Advance (GBA) cartridges alongside GB and GBC games. It also features a stunning 1600 x 1440 pixel resolution display that’s 10 times the size of the original Game Boy’s. This screen makes games look incredible, but it adds a modern sheen to titles some retro purists might not be a fan of – filters go a long way to making the experience feel more authentic, though. The handheld is also compatible with ROMs, but it takes a bit of extra work and some technical knowledge to get them running.
On the other hand, the Chromatic, which is also FPGA-based like the Analogue Pocket, is best described as a modern take on the Game Boy. Inspired by the cottage industry of retro enthusiasts remastering Game Boys, with the Chromatic, Luckey’s team upgraded the Game Boy Color’s design in subtle ways.
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The key draw is its 160 x 144 pixel resolution backlit display that faithfully recreates the GBC’s screen without the scaling the Analogue Pocket resorts to. In short, it looks incredible, and as much as I like the Analogue Pocket, I’ve found myself enjoying the pixelated look of the Chromatic’s screen far more than I expected, whether I’m diving back into Pokémon Red, bounding over hills in Motocross Maniacs, or making Mario backflip in Donkey Kong (1994), the handheld’s performance has been flawless.
Other upgrades include a premium-feeling magnesium alloy shell that’s both durable and a joy to hold, and PBT buttons that are the best I’ve ever used on any handheld, let alone a retro-inspired device (they have an extremely satisfying pop to them). The D-pad is also very responsive and crisp. Its back has a substantial bulge in order to house its three AA batteries, but this makes it more comfortable and easier to grip, especially compared to the Analogue Pocket and my trusty remade GBC. The Chromatic’s overall design might not be for everyone and is probably best described as retro ugly, but I’m a fan. It has a unique aesthetic that makes it stand out in the increasingly crowded retro handheld industry.
The Chromatic’s battery compartment even features a locking mechanism to keep it in place. While the Mod Retro’s handheld is pricey given it only plays GB and GBC cartridges, you really get what you pay for. I’d go so far as to say that it feels more premium than even the Analogue Pocket.
I’m also a big fan of Mod Retro’s efforts torelease new games for the Chromatic, including the Tetris pack-in, which is a throwback to the original Game Boy’s launch bundle. There are lots of great, retro-inspired new games available for the handheld, includingDragonyhm, a title I’m planning to pick up – though, be warned, they’re pretty pricey. Releasing new Game Boy games in 2024 is a fascinating, unique effort by the company, and I’m excited to see how far it takes it.
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What I didn’t like about the Chromatic
Rom compatibility would go a long way
The Chromatic’s most significant issue is that you need GB and GBC cartridges to play games on it. With this in mind, the handheld might not be for you if you don’t already have a stack of old GB carts. And even if you happen to have a library of retro Game Boy games like me, a lot of them might have dead internal batteries, which means you won’t be able to save or, in some cases, even play the games. This happened to me with my Pokémon Red, Silver, and The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening cartridges. The issue is relatively easy to fix with anew battery and minor soldering, but that requires extra work, so it’s worth mentioning.
Unlike the Analogue Pocket, there isn’t currently a way to get ROMs up and running on the handheld, and flash cartridge compatibility can be spotty. For example, GBC games don’t boot up with myEZ-Flash Jr., though Mod Retro says this will be fixed in the future (even Game Boy ROMs don’t always work). There also isn’t a Micro SD card slot or internal storage, so it’s unclear if straightforward ROM support will ever make its way to the Chromatic.
It’s perplexing that Mod Retro didn’t include an internal battery in the Chromatic. Sure, you could buy rechargeable AA batteries or wait for the battery pack the company says is coming, but at $200, I expected a built-in battery. Sticking with the price issue, the handheld is undeniably expensive for a device that only plays cartridges, especially when you’re able to get the far more capable Analogue Pocket for $220 – only $20 more than the Chromatic. This leaves Mod Retro’s handheld with an even more niche audience than the average retro handheld.
I’d go so far as to say I enjoy using it more than my beloved Analogue Pocket.
It’s also important to mention that my inferno-colored Chromatic had a few minor scratches right out of the box – the packaging seems to have scuffed it during shipping. While disappointing, Mod Retro shipped me a replacement unit very quickly. On that note, though, some owners have alsoreported screen tilting issues. It’s unclear how widespread either of these problems are. The only other quality problem I’ve noted is that the black plastic on the rear of the cartridge cartridge slot appears to be really soft (I’ve only slid a few games in and out and it’s covered in subtle scratches.
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Should you buy the Chromatic?
I really like the Chromatic. In fact, I’d go so far as to say I enjoy using it more than my beloved Analogue Pocket. That said, it’s designed for a niche audience that wants a faithful recreation of Nintendo’s iconic handheld and that already owns a library of physical Game Boy cartridges.
The lack of ROM compatibility severely limits its audience, especially given GB and GBC games are very pricey, making it even more of a tough sell when the far more capable Analogue Pocket costs only $20 more. It’s also disappointing that it isn’t compatible with Game Boy Advance games. On the other hand, the Chromatic’s cost is pretty reasonable compared to the price of upgrading a retro Game Boy.
With all that said, whenever I want to play Super Mario Land or Wario Land II, I’ll definitely reach for the Chromatic over the Analogue Pocket. It’s just so good at faithfully recreating the Game Boy experience with a uniquely modern twist that still feels authentic.
