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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 1,318 reviews
1,318 reviews
  • Aldric L. V. A.
    Verified Buyer
    21 seconds ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    The perfect Gameboy

    Works perfectly, this is the ultimate gameboy color experience. I had a bit of issues with diagonals triggering accidentally but after a super easy to do firmware upgrade its flawless now.

    I have my original GBC and the size is almost the exact same, the screen and button layout is the exact same which is surprising. Runs perfectly all of my games both Nintendo and Chromatic. Some differences from the original, the obvious backlit screen which can be super bright I have it almost at the lowest setting. The metal shell feels really good. Speakers are way louder than the original. Buttons are a lot louder, maybe they just need to loosen up a bit though.

    Overall amazing purchase, got one for myself and my wife got super curious and has played it more than me at this point, so I'm for sure getting a second one for her. Cant recommend this enough

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  • David J.
    Verified Buyer
    6 hours ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Cool

    It works great super cool

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  • KE
    17 hours ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    5 Stars

    I absolutely love this, I've bought two sets already!

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  • David H.
    Verified Buyer
    20 hours ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Amazing

    I was waffling between this and the Analogue Pocket. But man, I am so glad I got this. It's just such a stellarly made product with true craftmanship - it's worth every dollar spent. I wish people would see the vision of ModRetro - recreating hardware AND games. It runs great and I enjoy the customization options. They made a lifelong fan out of me with my experience with the Chromatic.

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  • Manuel L.
    Verified Buyer
    21 hours ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Best GameBoy Color experience

    Feels original with modern benefits. Best of both worlds!

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