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“The Chromatic is built like a freaking tank. It has heft; the kind that makes it feel durable and expensive.”

Forbes

“As someone who grew up with a Game Boy®, Chromatic was like a welcome return home. The straightforward play and old-school utility was the perfect combo for making hours disappear in a blink.”

Parents

“The most standout feature on the Chromatic is its screen. It's a 160×144, 2.56-inch IPS LCD display that allows Chromatic to re-create the original Game Boy experience without any upscaling.”

CNET

“If you have old Game Boy games laying around your home, then this is the best handheld gaming console for you. Named Best Retro Handheld”

Rolling Stones

“As a handheld gaming device, the ModRetro Chromatic harkens back to the nostalgia of the early ’90s Game Boy era, albeit housed in a case that is built like a bomb shelter.”

WIRED

“Chromatic gave those old, rotting games untouched in my drawer a new life and brought me back to an era of childhood bliss I never thought I could recapture.”

VICE

Plug and Play, Old or New

Chromatic plays original Game Boy® and Game Boy Color® cartridges—and it’s also home to a growing library of new titles, re-releases, and remastered classics. Whether you’re jumping back into an old favorite or discovering something brand new, it’s all just one cartridge away.

  • Game Boy® & Game Boy Color® Cartridge Compatible

  • ModRetro Games Library: 20+ Cartridges and Counting

The Ultimate Cartridge Console

Premium Build Quality

Chromatic’s shell is crafted from lightweight, durable magnesium for a rock solid, cool-touch feel. Choose Gorilla Glass for scratch resistance and excellent drop protection or opt for Sapphire for near diamond hardness.

Perfect Display

Equipped with the world’s only 160×144 pixel sunlight-readable backlit display, Chromatic delivers pixel-perfect clarity exactly as classic game developers intended. It’s sharp, authentic, and works in all conditions, indoors or out

Authentic Gameplay

Compatible with Game Boy®, Game Boy Color®, and ModRetro cartridges. Enjoy responsive D-pad controls, tactile buttons, and perfect input latency.

Stream Your Gameplay

Stream directly to your Mac, PC, or Oculus Quest® via USB-C. Perfect for sharing live gameplay with friends on Discord or recording content.

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Real Feedback from Real Players

  • “It's awesome seeing my kids play the same games I grew up with and actually having fun without a phone.”

    Daniel P. Verified Buyer

  • “A perfect blend of nostalgia and modern quality.”

    Jamie S. Verified Buyer

  • “Forgot how good it feels to just drop in a cartridge and play.”

    Laura M. Verified Buyer

Shop with Confidence

  • FREE SHIPPING
  • 1-YEAR WARRANTY
  • 30 DAY RETURNS
ModRetro Chromatic Analogue Pocket Game Boy Color®
Display

160×144
Exact resolution original games were designed for

1600×1440
Not 1:1 with original games (scaling required)

160×144
Exact resolution original games were designed for
Backlit
Shell Material

Metal

Plastic

Plastic
Games Included

Tetris® included
Streaming

Extra dock required
Original Game Boy Layout
Battery Life

19 hrs

6-10hrs

10 hrs
Games Compatibility

Game Boy®, Game Boy Color®, and new games from ModRetro

Game Boy®, Game Boy Color®, Game Boy® Advance, and new games from ModRetro

Game Boy®, Game Boy Color®, and new games from ModRetro
Price

Starts at $199.99 (New)

$249.99 (New)

$50–$100 (Used)
$150–$200 (With Modding)

Input Latency Test

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Chromatic is fully compatible with original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges—just plug in and start playing. The custom backlit screen is a direct replica of the original 160×144 resolution, so you’ll experience each game exactly as it was meant to be played, now with crystal-clear visibility in any lighting.

Chromatic is the best Game Boy ever made. It’s a tribute to the original, rebuilt with modern materials and tech. The magnesium alloy shell gives it a rock-solid, cool-to-the-touch feel that sets it apart from plastic handhelds. The screen matches the original Game Boy resolution exactly—but now it’s backlit, bright, and built for today. Choose between Gorilla Glass or ultra-durable Sapphire. It’s everything you loved, just better.

Chromatic plays original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges—and also has its own growing library of new games. These include brand-new titles, remastered classics, and re-releases from the Game Boy era, all on physical cartridges.

Each Chromatic comes with the console, a free copy of Tetris® (for a limited time), and 3 AA batteries so you can start playing right out of the box.

Yes. Chromatic runs on 3 AA batteries and works with standard rechargeables. We also offer a rechargeable battery pack as an optional accessory.

No. Chromatic isn’t an emulator. It’s a real, cartridge-based console with custom hardware that plays your games natively—no software emulation, no lag. It’s designed to match the timing and input feel of the original Game Boy Color.

Chromatic works out of the box—just insert a cartridge and play. But we do recommend keeping your firmware up to date to get the latest features and improvements. Updates are easy and only take a few minutes.

Yes. You can stream or record directly from Chromatic using a USB-C connection to your Mac or PC. It’s perfect for sharing gameplay, posting content, or jumping into a Discord stream.

Every Chromatic purchase comes with a free copy of Tetris® for a limited time—no code needed, no extra steps. It ships in the box with your console.

We offer a 30-day return window and a 1-year warranty on all consoles. If something’s not right, we’ll make it right.

Orders typically ship within 1 business day and arrive within 3-5 business days depending on your location.

5.0
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 1,414 reviews
1,414 reviews
  • Pierre M.
    Verified Buyer
    2 hours ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Amazing!

    Amazing that the GameBoy Line final,y has a defenitive version of it’s hardware! I can’t wait to see how the passthrough for it will work on the M64 (which i’m getting tomorrow)

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  • Bryce H.
    Verified Buyer
    2 days ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Awesome!

    The new version of Tetris is incredible!

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  • Andrew C.
    Verified Buyer
    3 days ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    A fantastic way to experience the GBC hardware and games

    The Chromatic rises out of a huge crowd of cheap software emulation handhelds with input lag and tinkering requirements to give you a great experience from flicking on the power switch and starting your game.

    The beautiful 1:1 screen that no other device released this millennium can claim really brings the experience home in a beautiful and responsive experience.

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  • Philip H.
    Verified Buyer
    3 days ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Exactly what I was looking for.

    In a potentially digital only gaming future,the Modretro Chromatic proves why it is more important than ever to support physical media,to own the game outright upon purchase,I was looking for a modded backlight gbc console,although many were well made I noticed the the screens were more pixilated than should be, and wanted something more accurate and backlight,The chromatic delivered on the specs I was looking for, pixel perfect screen,premium build and sound,if you are in the market for such a product, as you read this and like myself plus many others are a retro gamer,this is a handheld for purists,no save states or rewind feature,it is a niche item with exceptional care in detail to the console that inspired it,Thank you Modretro for providing me with a fantastic experience as a UK first time customer I signed up to the website and was provided exceptional service,shipping was super fast(one week).

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  • Levi M.
    Verified Buyer
    3 days ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    The Chromatic shreds

    Amazing!! Got this as a gift for my friend who just got married but I also have my own green one! Perfect for gaming on flights if you travel! Also quickly realized my wife is 1000x times better than me at Tetris...

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Chromatic + Tetris Bundle
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