ModRetro Chromatic

Meet the new handheld aiming to provide the ultimate Game Boy experience

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The latest entrant in the retro-gaming market has some interesting pedigree, as ModRetro was founded by Oculus VR founder Palmer Luckey.

Its first product is the Chromatic, an FPGA-based recreation of the Game Boy Color that is compatible with not only the console’s original software, but a line of new cartridge releases and re-releases from ModRetro. We caught up with ModRetro’s head of game development, Chris Beach, to find out more about the project before its imminent arrival.

How did the Chromatic project start off, Chris?

I’m not sure whether you’re aware, but ModRetro actually started as an online forum for modders around ten years ago. Our founder is very passionate about the Game Boy and Game Boy Color, so their idea was to give gamers the most authentic experience possible, whilst also offering a device that had premium materials so it was built to last, and just bring that magic back for both the current gaming generation and people that remember the Game Boy and Game Boy Color.

We’ve seen other Game Boy Color-compatible devices like the Analogue Pocket and the Funnyplaying FPGBC, and there are various mods available for the original hardware. What makes Chromatic different to those options?