Back in June, I wrote about the unveiling of ModRetro’s Chromatic handheld, a nostalgia-driven answer to Analogue’s popular Pocket device. Priced at $199—just under the Pocket’s base listing of $219.99—it’s an interesting sell, especially since the products are rather similar in nature. There are key differences, though.
When it releases later this year, the Chromatic will solely play original Game Boy, Game Boy Color and special Chromatic cartridges on a 160×144 pixel backlit display. No Game Boy Advance compatibility to speak of, as this tiny machine is aimed at bringing back certain specific gaming feelings, as it were, namely ones connected to Nintendo’s pioneering 8-bit portable platforms.
The Chromatic is available to pre-order in a variety of noteworthy colors, but earlier today, it was announced that ModRetro will be partnering with GameStop to bring out an exclusive grey model. They’re definitely going for a Game Boy vibe here, and alongside the red and black accents, a dash of ‘80s NES aesthetics as well. The GameStop-only variant is $199 just like the other colors on the Chromatic website, so at least there isn’t a collector’s upcharge.
The reveal video, which was posted to both ModRetro and GameStop’s official X accounts, showcases interviews with store employees and customers, all through glorious camcorder grain and echoey synthwave. They seem like legitimate human interactions, but you never know. The funniest part is the woman who mentions how she never comes to GameStop anymore. She said the quiet part out loud, for sure. Does anyone still go to GameStop? I can’t remember the last moment I was in one.
On a related note, it’s sort of bad timing for this particular news, given that GameStop literally shut down Game Informer this morning, and nobody is happy about it. As if GameStop needs more bad press. Anyway. Where were we? Oh yeah. Game Boy stuff.
So all of ModRetro’s language and marketing focuses on being able to go back in time via the Chromatic and replay these seminal gaming experiences ‘as they were intended,’ whereas Analogue’s angle is more about revisiting the classics by way of sleek, modern hardware. Even the ModRetro website urges you to ‘relive your childhood’ by purchasing their new handheld. Makes sense, given the company’s emphasis on what they’re calling a ‘pixel accurate display,’ but it’s still a little weird and patronizing.
Hey kids! Remember the past? We sure do! Buy our junk!
I’m being too cynical. I’m sorry. My humanity is poking through.
That said, the Chromatic really is a niche device, especially with that special screen. You’ve also got backward compatible link and IR ports, both of which are present on the Analogue Pocket, but they’re placed in more traditional and hardware-accurate positions on the Chromatic (side and top, respectively, just like on the original GBC).
Combined with a scratch-resistant screen, a strong magnesium alloy shell, FPGA-based emulation and a complimentary copy of Tetris—just like with the first Game Boy!—we’ve absolutely got something to watch for come Fall 2024. We’ll see if catering to retro purists will pull gamers away from Analogue’s current vice grip on the modern handheld resurrection.
