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2024 marks the 35th anniversary of Nintendo’s Game Boy, and it remains one of the most influential and popular handhelds of all time. In 2021, the Analogue Pocket was launched as a way to give modern gamers a new option to play their Game Boy games as well as games from other discontinued handhelds. Now, Analogue Pocket has a new competitor in the form of ModRetro’s Chromatic, and it may be even more enticing to Game Boy fans.
The original Game Boy was bundled with Tetris at its launch, so it’s only fitting that the Chromatic will also be launching with Tetris included. Tetris is just one of the new Chromatic Game Boy carts launching alongside the handheld. Though the carts are designed with the Chromatic in mind, they will work with original Game Boy hardware. Additionally, all original Game Boy and GBC cartridges are supported.
ModRetro went out of its way to pay tribute to the original Game Boy and its successor with a custom IPS screen that matches the size (2.6 inches) and resolution (160x144p) of the GBC. The Chromatic is FPGA-based, which means it replicates original hardware all the way down to pixel structure and color accuracy. The sapphire crystal glass screen has anti-glare technology to improve playability in direct sunlight and is “super scatch-resistant,” according to ModRetro.
The Chromatic utilizes PBT buttons and is housed in a magnesium-alloy shell that will be available in six different colors. It’s fitted with a USB-C charging port, but you can also power it with three AA batteries (included). The USB-C port can be used for “lagless video out” as well, which is a neat perk. To complete the authentic experience, the Chromatic has a Link Cable port that allows you to connect to original Game Boy hardware for multiplayer as well as an IR sensor. Dozens of Game Boy Color games made use of the infrared port, including Pokemon Gold and Silver for sending/receiving mystery gifts.
Preorders are already live on ModRetro’s official site, and the price of the handheld is $199.
More Chromatic carts are available to purchase separately, including an updated version of the Game Boy Color classic Toki Tori and several indie games from contemporary Game Boy developers.
Additionally, ModRetro announced that GameStop will be the official retail partner for the Chromatic, which will launch during the holiday season later this year.
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