The retro gaming community is always chasing a ghost. Outside of buying second-hand, classic consoles, it’s tough to relive the glory days of gaming. Sure, you can buy Anbernic and similar retro consoles, or a Steam Deck — or one of its many competitors — and emulate. But it’s just not the same. I think that part of the legendary experience was collecting the physical cartridges and actually physically plugging them into your console.
Cue the ModRetro Chromatic. It’s a retro-handheld inspired by the original Game Boy, that takes Game Boy cartridges, of course, but also ModRetro’s Chromatic originals. ModRetro has gone ahead and re-released some fan favorites, in cartridge form, but also introduced new games. Yes, entirely original but new Game Boy-esque games. And they are fan-fucking-tastic.
What are the ModRetro originals?
They’re not digital titles you download and install on an SD card tucked away inside the device. They’re tangible and actual physical cartridges, just like back in the day. You plug them in and go. You can even blow in the cartridges like you used to, although I wouldn’t recommend it.
ModRetro has re-released old fan-favorites like Toki Tori, Project S-11 and Baby T-Rex, but also offers an excellent dose of originals. They’re challenging, fun, original titles built specifically for the handheld and anywhere-play. There’s Chantey, a rhythm-combat and top-down mashup. Dragonyhm, an epic RPG and vivid fantasy tale a-la the best-of-the-best classics. Or Hermano, a platformer inspired by titles you know like Castlevania, Ghosts ‘n Goblins, and so on. In the Dark 2, Traumatarium Penitent, Patchy Matchy, and more. But those are just the launch titles. More are coming.
ModRetro works directly with some great indie developers, namely we’ve seen them collaborate to create this finely curated collection of launch titles. I’m curious to see what else is coming down the pipeline.
ModRetro is a retro-gaming hero
I know, I know. It’s almost cringe to refer to a company as a “hero,” but at least from what I’m seeing, ModRetro and company really understand the mechanics behind those retro gaming glory days. The Chromatic is an excellent take on the classic handheld consoles we love so much, with some fine-tuned upgrades to make the experience that much more exciting and fun.
It plays the old classics, including Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges. The new stuff and the re-releases are simply Chromatic cartridges in the same vein. The sunlight-readable backlit display makes it possible to play anywhere, plus it’s scratch-resistant. The magnesium alloy shell is durable and can take a beating. Finally, it takes custom lithium-ion rechargeable batteries — and they come with the console. It also supports USB-C lagless video out to PC, has a backwards compatible IR link, and link cable ports, and a 3.5mm headphone output. You can even buy matching headsets to match your Chromatic color. That’s badass.
What really makes me excited is that this is an opportunity to make new nostalgic-riddled memories with my kids who are now about the age I was when I got my first Game Boy. Many older gamers, like me, now have children, nieces, nephews, or even younger family members. We can make new memories, inspired by our classic experiences, with the people we love and care about, on a system that almost entirely mimics those legendary times.
I’m definitely looking forward to getting my hands on one of these, one way or the other, and sharing in the fun with my family. Maybe you should check out ModRetro and the Chromatic for yourself?
