Key Takeaways
- The Chromatic is a premium device with a magnesium alloy shell and a scratch-proof display.
- It’s compatible with GB/GBC cartridges and peripherals, as well as ModRetro cartridges.
- It’s powered by three AA batteries, or alternatively you can use a rechargeable power pack.
For years—decades, even—my Game Boy cartridges have sat untouched, gathering dust and cobwebs. I still have the means to play them. A variety of Game Boy consoles sit on the shelf right beside them, yet they all remain neglected. Relics of my childhood that I refuse to part with.
How often do we really go back to older consoles? They’re never as good as you remember. The graphics are worse, and the feel of the controller or handheld is lighter and less impressive than before in your adult hands. Don’t get me started on those original screens that aren’t backlit. But recently, this excitement for my Game Boy collection has been reignited by ModRetro’s Chromatic handheld.
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I first got my hands on one of these beauties at Gamescom earlier this year, and after immediately being impressed, the Chromatic became a must have. Fast forward a few months, and I’m reliving my youth with my favourite Game Boy and Game Boy Color games like we’re counting down to the new millennium all over again. Grab your favourite inflatable chair and put on some Spice Girls, it’s time to play games ‘90s style…
The Chromatic is compatible with all GB/GBC games and peripherals, but not GBA.
I can’t convey enough just how much I love this handheld, especially the feel of it. Size-wise it’s a happy middle ground between the original GB and GBC. The touch of the buttons beneath your thumbs takes you back to the days of childhood gaming, but there’s also a hefty weight to the console, more than the originals ever had, that immediately gives that sense of a premium product.
Hardy Hardware
It feels so good that I can’t help but obsess over keeping it in immaculate condition, which is funny as I never had as much care for my plastic Game Boys in my youth. The Chromatic is far hardier, so I don’t actually need to be as precious about it.
The reason for the Chromatic’s considerable heft is due to its magnesium alloy shell that is apparently “crush-proof and hard wearing” and “designed to last forever”. The website shows a car driving over the device, but I’ll take ModRetro’s word for it – my Wave-coloured Chromatic is too pretty to abuse. The sapphire crystal display cover is also sold as the “most scratch-proof display possible”, but I also won’t be testing out how true that statement is either.
Hot Tip – Don’t run over any of your gaming consoles with a car. Yep, even the durable ones.
I’ve missed handheld gaming that feels properly portable. Something you can slip into your pocket and walk around with. Modern handhelds are growing in size and making that impossible. I certainly can’t put my Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck into my pocket, so it’s good to go back to something so simple yet so enjoyable.
As a classic throwback, the first edition Chromatic comes bundled with Tetris, and while I did give that a whirl for a while, I eventually turned to my personal collection of Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges. I landed on playing Pokemon Sapphire first because if you’re going to do something, you should do it right.
Aside from being hit by nostalgia from that well-known 8-bit tune as the game started up, I was immediately asked blindingly bright questions from the Pokemon Prof, as this old classic has new life breathed into it with a pixel perfect modern LCD screen bright enough to use as a torch. In fact, it was too bright, but fortunately the Chromatic allows you to adjust the brightness, saving my old eyes from a certain headache.
The Chromatic features a range of additional adjustable features in the system settings, including a silent mode, frame blend, and colour correction for when streaming. The screen is also sunlight readable, making it perfect to play wherever you are. Gone are the days of struggling in the dark or sun when playing GB/GBC games.
The Best Way To Relive Your Game Boy Era
I didn’t stop at just playing through Pokemon to become the very best like no one ever was. I dug out anything and everything. From link trade cables to the Game Boy Camera, and even the Pokemon Pinball Rumble Pak. Everything worked perfectly, and it all worked in conjunction with older GB and GBC consoles, so you can trade from your old console to your new Chromatic. It also has an Infrared (IR) port that can be used with other Chromatic or GBC consoles. Let’s go old school and have a retro gaming party where we trade in person. That’s right, trad-evo Pokemon. You will be mine.
The Chromatic takes retro gaming and brings it into the future in more ways than one. Aside from having the benefit of modern hardware and technology, offering the best way to play your GB/GBC games, it features video out via USB-C. I tested this out too, and found it easy to use providing you have some familiarity with OBS. I’m not about to start a Pokemon Sapphire streaming marathon, but it’s good to know I could if I wanted to.
As well as being compatible with all GB/GBC games, ModRetro has a library of brand-new cartridge games, as well as a few remastered classics (like Tetris). I think this is one of the most interesting aspects of this whole project. Developers are creating entirely new games for hardware that has long been dead. How often do we see that happen? And even if you don’t have a Chromatic, these new cartridges work on original GB/GBC consoles, too.
The Chromatic retails for £161/$199, and in a day and age where you can emulate your favourite golden oldies, this might seem a tad pricey, but I’d disagree. Much like a music enthusiast would recommend you get that authentic sound by putting classic vinyl in a record player, you can only get that true feel of retro gaming by having a proper handheld in your palms. Nothing beats that perfect size, the feel of the buttons beneath your thumbs, and the joy of switching cartridges that you can select from a well-loved physical collection.
The Chromatic has already become a firm favourite of mine. It allows me to relive my youth with the benefit of a modern screen and quality casing, all while retaining that signature nostalgic design. Most importantly, it’s become a handheld I actually travel around with, as portable consoles are meant to be. Waiting for friends in town? I’m on my Chromatic. Being driven to visit family? I’m also on my Chromatic. It’s a must have for Game Boy and retro gaming enthusiasts who want the best way to play their old classics and discover some new titles. Now, it’s time I get back to hatching some Pokemon eggs…
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