Support Center > Chromatic Manual

Chromatic Manual

Please update your Chromatic’s firmware to the latest version to ensure your Chromatic is equipped with the latest features and bug fixes.

Welcome to Chromatic

Front view diagram Back view diagram
1
Power Switch
Slide to turn Chromatic On/Off.
2
LCD Display
160x144 pixel sunlight readable backlit display.
3
Link Cable Port
Allows connection to another Chromatic for multi-player games. Requires a Link Cable (sold separately).
4
Operation Buttons
Controls for playing games. See individual game manuals for button functions.
5
3.5mm Headphone Jack
For connecting headphones (sold separately).
6
LED Indicator
Indicates battery level and status for rechargeable battery pack (sold separately).
7
USB-C Port
Allows for USB video out to PC (cable sold separately), direct power, and charging rechargeable battery pack (sold separately).
8
Speaker
Built-in speaker. It will automatically turn off if headphones are plugged in.
9
Menu Button
Opens menu for adjustable system settings.
10
Volume Control
Adjusts the sound volume up/down. Rotate up to increase volume, and rotate down to decrease volume.
11
IR Port
Allows connection to other Chromatic systems when using games with the infrared communication feature.
12
Game Slot
Load GB, GBC, and Chromatic game cartridges.
13
Keychain Attachment
For attaching keychains and lanyards.
14
Battery Cover
Remove cover to replace batteries.
15
Battery Cover Lock
Securely locks battery cover. Push forward to unlock.

Chromatic can be powered using:

  • USB-C direct power
  • 3 AA batteries
  • Rechargeable Power Core lithium ion battery pack

Note: While connected via USB-C, the device operates on external power without depleting the battery.

AA Battery Installation

1
Chromatic uses 3 AA batteries for operation. All 3 batteries must be of similar voltage. Batteries should be replaced when the LED Indicator blinks red or the low battery notification icon appears on screen.
Battery notification and 3 AA batteries
2
Push upward on the Battery Cover Lock to release the Battery Cover. Do not use your fingernail. The Battery Cover will pop open and can now be removed.
Battery cover lock location
3
Lift the Battery Cover off and set aside.
Removing battery cover
4
Insert the AA batteries. Note that all (+) face the left and all (-) face the right. Replace the Battery Cover when finished.
Battery orientation diagram
1
Insert any Chromatic, GB, or GBC game cartridge into the Game Slot in the back of Chromatic.

Make sure that the game label is facing away from Chromatic.

You should feel when the cartridge is fully seated.
Cartridge insertion angle
Power switch location
2
Slide the Power Switch to the ON position.

The LCD Display will illuminate and the game will load.

Follow instructions for the game you are playing.
3
When you are finished playing, slide the Power Switch to the OFF position.

Then remove the cartridge by sliding it up.
Cartridge removal

The LED Indicator on the bottom of Chromatic displays the power status.

LED indicator location
On Initial Boot

Allow 5 sec for power status detection.

On for 5 sec when 100% - 60%

On for 5 sec when 60% - 20%

Constant on when < 20%

While Playing

Displays change in power status when ON.

On for 5 sec when < 60%

Constant on when < 20%

Continuous blinking when < 5%

While Charging MR LiPo Pack

Displays charge status.

Charging in progress

Fully charged

The Infrared (IR) Port on top of the Chromatic allows for transmission of information between 2 systems (Chromatic to Chromatic or GBC) using games featuring infrared communication capability.

For optimal performance:

  • Align the IR Ports with the systems between 1.5" - 2" (4cm - 5cm) apart.
  • Do not use more than 2 systems at one time.
  • Do not use in direct sunlight.
  • Keep the IR Port clean and free of obstruction.
  • Do not place objects between the IR Ports.
  • Ensure battery power is not low.
Chromatic to Chromatic
IR communication between two Chromatic systems
Chromatic to GBC

When using IR link between Chromatic and GBC, align the bodies of the systems. Do NOT center the IR windows to each other.

IR communication between Chromatic and GBC

Games that feature a 2 player mode can be played using the Link Cable to connect 2 systems (Chromatic, GB, or GBC).

To use the Link Cable:
  1. Power should be OFF on all systems.
  2. Plug the Link Cable into the Link Cable Port of each system. Be sure the plug is fully inserted.
  3. Turn the power ON for both systems.
  4. Follow the game instructions for gameplay information.
Link Cable connection between two systems

Please visit our blog post for detailed instructions on recording and streaming gameplay on your Chromatic.

Accessing system settings with menu button

Press the Menu Button to access system settings.

Note that entering system settings will not automatically pause gameplay.

System settings interface with labeled sections
1
Battery
Indicates battery health and charging
2
Home
Homescreen with quick access settings
3
Display
Adjust display and color settings
4
Controls
Diagram of main operation controls
5
System
System information and setup
Navigation and Controls
  • Selecting a menu - Press left and right on the D Pad to highlight the menu you wish to make changes to.
  • Changing settings - In the highlighted menu, press up and down on the D Pad to select settings displayed on the left side of the menu. Then press A to toggle settings on/off. For settings that allow for incremental adjustment, Press A to increase and B to decrease the setting.
  • Exiting system settings - Press the Menu button to exit and return to gameplay.
Home
Brightness adjustment interface

Brightness adjustment - Increase brightness by pressing A, decrease brightness by pressing B.

Power saver mode

Power Saver Mode - When using nearly depleted batteries, Chromatic automatically enters Power Saver Mode. In Power Saver Mode, the brightness cannot be adjusted, and a message appears on the Home screen.

Silent mode toggle interface

Silent Mode - Turns on/off device speaker and overrides the volume dial.

Display
Display frameblend

Frame Blend - For transparency effects on certain original GBC games.

Display Streaming Color Correction

Streaming - Affects the display color when streaming.

Display Transitions Color Correction

Some games will blank the game screen as part of their programmed sequence. On the classic DMG/GBC without a backlit screen, this appears as a white screen. On Chromatic (which is backlit), this appears as a flashing effect.

  • Classic - Preserves the orginal behavior
  • Smooth - Removes the flashing effect for a smoother experience

Note: This option may have no effect for many games.

Display Low Battery Color Correction

A low battery icon appears in the top-right corner of the screen when batteries are nearly depleted. For some games, this may obstruct gameplay.

  • Always Show - Retain displaying the icon
  • Blink - Icon will appear and disappear once per second
  • Hide - Icon will be hidden. The user proceeds at their own risk.
Controls
Dpad Controls

Allows modification of the D Pad behavior to ignore diagonal inputs.

Hotkeys Controls

Displays available hotkeys.

System
System settings firmware

Firmware - Displays the firmware version the system is running.

System settings players

Player selection to setup a Capture Window.

Hotkeys enable quick access to common features without navigating the System Settings menus. They also allow access to options not found in the System Settings. Note there are hotkeys that work On Boot and At Run-time.

On Boot

For best results, press and hold the desired key combination(s) before turning on your Chromatic. Continue holding down the hotkeys until the screen illuminates.

Color Filter Button Press
 
Brown
UP
 
Blue
LEFT
 
Pastel
DOWN
 
Green
RIGHT
 
Red
UP + A
 
Dark Blue
LEFT + A
 
Orange
DOWN + A
 
Dark Green
RIGHT + A
 
Dark Brown
UP + B
 
Grayscale
LEFT + B
 
Yellow
DOWN + B
 
Negative
RIGHT + B
 
DMG 1 (Gameboy)
RIGHT + A + B
 
DMG 2 (Gameboy)
LEFT + A + B
At Run-Time
  • When using hotkeys, the Menu button will not open the System Settings interface.
  • Hotkeys do not work while in the System Settings interface.
Action Button Press
Reset Game (game must support this) B + A + Start + Select
Reset Emulation Core (will also reset game) Menu + B + A + Start + Select
Increase Brightness Menu + RIGHT
Decrease Brightness Menu + LEFT

Troubleshooting

If a white screen appears when powering up a game, turn OFF Chromatic, remove and reinsert the game, and turn ON again.

If Chromatic is not operating correctly, turn the power OFF and back ON to reset the system.

If you are still having problems, please contact Customer Support.

Modifying Your Chromatic

Check out our step-by-step teardown of Chromatic here.

Games

The color coded sidebar on game boxes, cartridges, and instruction manuals indicates color and system compatibility.

Game Boy Color® game
Chromatic logo with rainbow sidebar
Game Boy Color® game with Classic Game Boy/Pocket® compatibility
Chromatic logo with rainbow and gray sidebars
Classic Game Boy/Pocket® game
Chromatic logo with gray sidebar

NOTE: Tetris is a GBC game, not a DMG game, and requires GBC-compatible hardware.

Tetris Manual
Page 1 of 0

Compliance

Chromatic complies with the Low Voltage Directive (LVD), 2014/35/EU, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive, 2014/30/EU, and the Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS) Directive, 2011/65/EU.  For a copy of the official Declaration of Conformity, please click here.

Manufacturer: ModRetro, Inc.
15333 Culver Dr
STE 340 #2322
Irvine, CA 92604