Every once in a while, a device like the Modretro Chromatic rolls along and completely changes my handheld expectations. It’s far from being the first modern take on the Game Boy I’ve tested, and I have a funny feeling it won’t be the last. But, what I will say is that it completely nails the assignment and elevates Nintendo’s ‘90s console without remotely disrupting its original vibe.
Priced at $199 / £159, the Modretro Chromatic might feel expensive, but I’d strongly argue in favor of its MSRP. Yes, it’s an investment - and it’s perhaps a lot to pay for what is functionally a Game Boy Color. Know what else can set you back most of that asking price? An original Game Boy Color. That’s before you even get to modding it with a screen you can use without sitting on the face of the sun or cleaning it up so it doesn’t feel like 26-year-old hardware.
