Video games have evolved dramatically since the late ’90s, but for many gamers, few experiences rival the charm of firing up a Game Boy or Game Boy Color to play those retro-style Nintendo games. If you still remember swapping out game cartridges or squinting at the non-backlit screen, or perhaps you’re just feeling nostalgic, ModRetro’s new Chromatic might feel like a time machine – one that’s been rebuilt with the tech of today.
The ModRetro Chromatic is essentially a modern reimagining of the Game Boy Color, a handheld console that itself was a major upgrade over the original Game Boy. Where Nintendo’s classic handheld had a lightweight plastic shell and a simple color display, the Chromatic takes the same form factor and infuses it with a premium, collector-grade feel. Its magnesium alloy body gives it a solid, durable build that feels far more substantial than its 1998 predecessor.
In terms of design, ModRetro has kept the nostalgic silhouette while offering a wider palette of colors than Nintendo ever did. In addition to retro-inspired white and gray, you can choose bolder hues like blue, green, yellow, orange, and pink – a subtle nod to the playful variety of the original but with a modern, refined finish.
While the Chromatic maintains the original 160 x 144 resolution, its OLED display is worlds apart from the Game Boy Color’s panel. OLED technology delivers rich contrast, vivid colors, and deep blacks, making pixel art pop with a crispness and vibrancy that was unimaginable in the ’90s. It’s still true to the original aesthetic, but it’s presented in a way that flatters both nostalgia and modern expectations.
So what about games? Compatibility is one of the Chromatic’s biggest draws. It supports the full library of original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, meaning your collection of classics like The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX, Pokémon Gold, or Tetris DX can get new life. On top of that, ModRetro is producing its own cartridges, giving players a reason to expand their library with new titles.
Just like the original, the Chromatic can run on three AA batteries. But if you prefer modern convenience, ModRetro also sells a rechargeable power core, cutting down on waste and adding long-term portability.
The build materials and technological improvements do make for a higher price tag than the Game Boy Color though. The Game Boy Color came in at $80, but to get the ModRetro Chromatic (which comes bundled with Tetris), it starts at $199.99 for the Gorilla display, with the Sapphire display costing $299.99.
You can learn more about the Chromatic at modretro.com.
Photography courtesy of ModRetro.
Christian de Looper is a consumer tech reporter based in sunny Santa Cruz, California. Christian has reported on tech for over 10 years, with bylines in many of the largest tech publications, including Digital Trends, Forbes, CNN Underscored, Tom’s Guide, and PCMag. Christian has an obsession with how tech companies balance great design with great functionality, and lives at home with his wife, daughter, and cat.
