ModRetro Chromatic GBAtemp review
Hardware
Product Information:
- Official Store: https://modretro.com/products/chromatic-tetris-bundle
Despite new gaming consoles’ push for graphical fidelity, demand for retro gaming hasn’t died down. In fact, it’s arguably the best time to be a retro gaming fan, with dedicated hardware of various dimensions from the likes of Anbernic and AYANEO getting released every so often. But in a market that is dominated by emulation systems, newcomer ModRetro, with backing from Oculus founder Palmer Luckey, is taking a different approach.
With Chromatic, its first device, the company is focusing on (re)making a contemporary Game Boy Color hardware that, like the original handheld, supports actual cartridges, rather than emulation. In this sense, the Chromatic is more akin to the Analogue Pocket than other handhelds. How does this newcomer to the handheld gaming market fare? We’ll take a closer look at it in this review.
ModRetro contents and specs
On ModRetro’s website, the Chromatic retails for £159/€190.95/$199 and comes with the following items:
- Chromatic handheld
- Chromatic Tetris cartridge
- 3x AA ModRetro batteries
Of note, if you purchase the first edition Chromatic, it will come bundled with a Tetris game cartridge.
Specs of this handheld can be found below:
Specs details courtesy of ModRetro
ModRetro’s Game Boy Color remake that is built to last
The Chromatic is essentially a remake of the Game Boy Color; and one might, rightly, question the need for a device that has lost official support for decades. Therein lies the need, as your old GBC might not be usable or might have been misplaced. Instead of buying a second hand device that might fail in a few years, the Chromatic presents itself as a new alternative that will last you longer. And boy is this device built to last!
With its sturdy magnesium alloy shell and sapphire front crystal, the Chromatic provides an unprecedented level of peace of mind. The front material won’t scratch easily (unless you literally use diamond) and the metal shell won’t incur damage if tossed around or even accidentally dropped. It looks like a Game Boy Color but feels more premium and exceptionally good in the hands.
While the Chromatic’s hardware is faithful to the original GBC, there are some changes to the form factor and aesthetics that adds a touch of subtle originality. The front stripes, logo and range of colorways make this handheld stand out without deviating much from its inspiration. That said, a clear shell variant of their handheld feels wanting but it might not be feasible with the magnesium alloy shell.
The rear bump on the Chromatic is different than the one on the GBC but it is well designed, offering a natural resting area for your fingers as they wrap around the device. ModRetro also brought some notable changes to the battery lid. Unlike the GBC which was all-plastic and can break over time, the lid on the Chromatic has a button-like mechanism. I initially didn’t figure out how to operate it (as my early unit didn’t come with a manual) but it works by simply pushing it upward and the lid pops up. It’s yet another hardware change that can prolong the longevity of the device.
About the battery, the Chromatic used 3x AA batteries. The company plans to release a rechargeable battery pack which is in production and can be charged via the USB-C port on the device. I am in favour of using replaceable batteries, rather than having built-in ones, as they make the device less reliant on an internal battery with an expiry date.
Like the GBC, the Chromatic has an IR sensor and also a Link Cable port. ModRetro is producing new cables which will be available to purchase on their website.
Future modifications might also be possible with the Chromatic as ModRetro has a disassembly guide on their website for the tinkerers among you. Considering the cult following of the GBC, I am sure we will see innovative add-ons and mods for the handheld in the coming months.
ModRetro Chromatic: an upgraded Game Boy Color gaming experience
As with the Game Boy Color, the Chromatic supports official Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges. These play flawlessly and give your old cartridges another lease of life. ModRetro is also publishing new and classic titles; and they have a handful of launch titles that will be ready when the console launches. This is a great way to support their handheld and discover new games with a retro touch.
These games come boxed, with a manual and a lanyard charm, and the unboxing is reminiscent of the game packages of yesteryear. However, ModRetro’s cartridges do not come with a case. This can be a downer for those carrying several cartridges on a trip but ModRetro told me they didn’t opt for cases as they don’t like how the quality of the ones available feel. They are looking into making their own but for now, consumers can buy plastic cases in bulk if they need it.
The first edition of the Chromatic is in fact bundled with a new Tetris cartridge which, I would say, is something of a must have. I couldn’t get my hands off the device when playing the game for the first time and still feel the urge to play it whenever I have my hands on the Chromatic. This new Tetris game was even developed in-house by ModRetro and they are also considering making other cartridges with special features.
I’ve also tried bootleg carts and they also work fine on this new device. While I didn’t have access to a flashcart, I believe that these would also work with the Chromatic. However, this somewhat goes against the device that has been designed to work with cartridges and one might argue that using a flashcart is as good as using an emulation device.
Indeed, every time I swapped game cartridges on the Chromatic, I felt a pang of nostalgia and a unique sense of joy that is hard to replicate on modern systems. This is due to the memories it brought back from my childhood playing games on my brother’s Game Boy Pocket. With the Chromatic, a whole new generation of gamers will be able to form similar experiences and this device is one of the few to do it faithfully.
Playing on the Chromatic does feel like using an original Game Boy Color. Its buttons provide a similar feeling to the touch and when pressed. The only difference is when booting a cartridge, you are not greeted by the classic Game Boy logo and startup sound due to obvious legal restrictions. ModRetro cartridges do have a startup image with the company’s logo which is something at least.
What also makes the Chromatic feel like playing on the original hardware is the aspect ratio. Just like the GBC, it has a 160X144 pixel (10:9) display, making it a pixel-perfect way to (re)discover retro games. Its bright backlight makes it usable under any lighting condition, with the display being visible from any viewing angle. The bottom facing speaker also outputs quality audio, although I would personally prefer a front-facing one for a more up-close experience. That said, this positioning does make it harder to obstruct the outlet with your palms.
ModRetro brought quality-of-life improvements not only to the hardware but also the software. The Chromatic has a menu button on the right side which displays a settings overlay. This allows you to quickly view your battery level, adjust the backlight brightness, configure some audiovisual settings and select users. Via the settings, you can also toggle frame blending and color correction to improve the visual experience of some games and make them more faithful to the original experience.
Torin Herndon, CEO of ModRetro, also told me that they will bring additional features to the Chromatic via firmware updates with a companion software. These may include the likes of speed running timer and hotkey functions. I have mixed feelings about this as the Chromatic has mostly focused on being a “purist” GBC remake with much-needed quality of life improvements. But having firmware updates makes it feel more like the other devices it has tried to distance itself from. That said, the future updates will be handy ones that users will find useful.
All things considered, ModRetro has really crafted what is easily the best way to currently play Game Boy and Game Boy Color games faithfully. The Chromatic has one of the best builds of any handhelds out there, is reasonably priced and comes with quality-of-life improvements that anyone would have wanted when the GBC was current-gen. These are impressive feats, considering that this is the company's first handheld and it showcases the attention to details paid in paying an exceptional homage to a classic gaming device.
Ultimately, the Chromatic is more than a clone, and the term ‘remake’ feels more appropriate as it keeps the original handheld’s essentials and improves on practically every other aspect. I highly recommend it if you’re looking to enjoy your old GBC games or want to share the experience with a newer generation of gamers. The device will be shipping in time for this holiday season and it’s an easy gift contender for the gamer in your life.
Verdict
- Compatible with original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges
- Built to last
- Adjustable backlight and visible display under any viewing angle
- IR sensor and Link Cable compatibility
- Exceptional handheld feel
- ModRetro is further supporting the game library by publishing new cartridges
- Bottom-facing speaker
- Firmware updates somewhat goes against its purist ethos
