ModRetro Chromatic - Transparent Impressions
Hot on the heels of the M64, ModRetro is back with another product: the Chromatic - Transparent, which releases today. As its name suggests, it is a new variant of the excellent Chromatic, this time sporting a transparent shell.
Indeed, this new Game Boy Color remake is pretty much the same as ModRetro’s first product, with the same FPGA-based architecture, button layout, custom 160x144 backlit display, cartridge compatibility and built-in menu with upgradeable firmware. The key difference here is the transparent body. The clear shell fuels the Chromatic’s nostalgic appeal, and the colourways (Smoke, Green, Purple, Red) match the M64’s. This new aesthetic lets you see the device’s innards, with a shade of the shell’s tint. It’s a thing of beauty!
While the material is plastic, it does not feel cheap at all. True to ModRetro’s standards, the Chromatic - Transparent is a sturdily built console, though it doesn't pack the tank-like build of the first version's magnesium alloy shell. That said, it has no rattling or rough edges; the device feels comfortable to use. The buttons also follow the original device’s quality, although I felt them stiffer, likely due to them being new.
As a Game Boy Color remake, the Chromatic - Transparent plays original as well as third-party cartridges without any issues. ModRetro has also been publishing new cartridges, including the newly-released Earthworm Jim. But you can enjoy the handheld right out of the package, as every unit ships with a transparent version of the new ModRetro-published Tetris cartridge.
Since ModRetro launched the original Chromatic in 2024, the company has released an ecosystem of accessories that Chromatic - Transparent users can already benefit from. This includes the Rechargeable Power Core, Link Cable and retro-themed wired Porta Pro headsets.
In addition to the new look, another appealing factor of the Chromatic - Transparent is the pricing. It costs $149.99 via the official store page, making it the cheapest version of the Chromatic. The Chromatic - Transparent is a well-designed and well-built Game Boy Color remake and addresses the missing nostalgic clear shell variant that I noted in my review of the original Chromatic.
The Chromatic - Transparent is one of the best ways to experience Game Boy Colour games, and is now made more affordable and more nostalgic; provided you are okay with ModRetro’s ties with defence contractor Anduril - at least, this model isn’t explicitly Anduril-themed…
For a deeper look at what the Chromatic has to offer, be sure to take a look at our full review of the handheld here.
