I’ve already written a few times about Chromatic on Gadgetisimo, both in the article about retro consoles in 2025 and in the context of the launch of Analogue 3D. So we’re no longer talking about something new or a “just launched” product.
Chromatic has been on the market for more than a year now, enough time for the initial excitement to fade and for the real user experience to remain. That’s exactly why this article is not a classic review, but a long-term review: what’s left after many months of using the console, what still impresses, and where the downsides are.
Availability, shipping, and positioning
At launch, stock was extremely limited and sold out quickly. Later, the people at ModRetro solved the problem: not only did they ensure constant stock, but they also released several color variants.
An interesting detail worth mentioning is the logistics. Chromatic ships from the US, not from China as you might expect, especially if you look at other FPGA consoles on the market. Manufacturing is done in Mexico, something that’s visible even in the below photo.
For Europe, the ordering process is well set up: the price shown in euros is the final price, with no hidden fees, and the console arrives in a few days.
Design, materials – still valid after many months of use
My unit is in the Cloud color, a white with subtle purple hues, intentionally chosen because it most closely resembles the original Game Boy.
Chromatic supports original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges and is built around FPGA technology, practically the only real solution for authentic hardware compatibility with original cartridges.
The material opulence associated with Palmer Luckey and ModRetro is not just marketing. You feel it right from the packaging: a rigid cardboard box with a magnetic closure, the kind of packaging you see with laptops or premium gadgets.
The magnesium alloy shell gives a feel very close to a high-end smartphone. After months of use, I can say that:
- there is no play between parts
- it doesn’t creak
- it doesn’t flex
- the assembly and materials remain flawless, just like on day one, even after months of use
These things matter more over time than in a launch-day review.
The included cartridge and the ModRetro ecosystem
Chromatic ships with a Tetris cartridge, very much in the spirit of the original Game Boy. The game is officially licensed, and over time ModRetro has built a small ecosystem of new or re-licensed games dedicated to the console.
In terms of size, Chromatic is smaller than the original Game Boy, but not so much that it loses the nostalgic connection. They could have miniaturized it more aggressively, but that would have completely killed the original console’s feel.
Daily use: what feels different after many months
Operation is extremely simple: insert the cartridge, turn on the console, and the game starts instantly. There’s a minimal menu for a few basic settings, nothing more.
However, after a longer period of use, the nuances start to show:
Pros
- ✔The screen – it hasn’t disappointed at all. It’s still the console’s jewel and the main argument for Chromatic. The quality is excellent and the brightness is very high. After long periods of use I set it somewhere around 35% because I realized the screen was too bright especially if you used it in the evening in low ambient light
- ✔The buttons – they hold up very well over time even when the console is used by several people or by kids who are less careful with it which is the case for me
- ✔Overall quality – nothing gives the impression of premature wear. Even if the shell gets dirty the magnesium alloy material is easy to clean and doesn’t show wear marks like a plastic shell
- ✔High compatibility with original games – I haven’t yet found one that doesn’t work
- ✔Compatibility with flashcarts
Cons
- ✘Ergonomics – the size of the console relative to hand size can sometimes cause slight numbness in the fingers that support the console from the back. At least that’s what happens to me sometimes
- ✘The D-pad – it’s slightly too sensitive on the down direction; if you’re not careful when you want to move forward it can also register a down press. This is especially annoying in games like Tetris
- ✘The buttons although high quality in terms of materials sometimes feel a bit too noisy – you notice it most in sessions where the ambient noise is low
- ✘Even though the screen is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass a fairly visible scratch has appeared. Personally I was expecting better resistance from the glass
Chromatic as a travel device
Usually, when I go away for a few days, I generally take my laptop (usually a MacBook Air) and my smartphone. Since I got Chromatic, it’s been a constant in my travel bag, along with a few cartridges with my favorite games.
It’s the kind of detail that doesn’t say much at first glance, but shows how easily a device integrates into real life.
Software and updates
Chromatic has received regular software updates, which is commendable for a retro product.
Still, there’s one important downside:
in an ecosystem based on original or licensed cartridges, the lack of save states is noticeable. It would have been extremely useful, especially for original Game Boy DMG games, and would have reduced the need to resort to a universal flashcart. After all, a flashcart is the exact opposite of using original and licensed game cartridges, which is precisely what Chromatic seems to want to promote.
Flashcart compatibility – real-world test
Before ordering Chromatic, I looked for information about flashcart compatibility, but the available data was inconclusive. Most sources mentioned EverDrive, which works perfectly. I don’t want to be misunderstood here, I respect the work of the developers behind the EverDrive system, but they are extremely expensive in some respects and simply not for everyone.
For those interested in a more affordable option:
Chromatic works perfectly with flashcart clones from platforms like AliExpress, especially those running GB OS v4. I personally tested a randomly chosen model and didn’t encounter any issues.
Conclusion: what’s left after the hype
After almost a year of use, Chromatic remains a device:
- extremely well built, the kind you rarely see these days
- with an exceptional screen
- simple
- with a few minor compromises
aimed at those who want the authentic Game Boy experience, without emulation, and with premium materials.
After many months of use, Chromatic hasn’t dropped out of rotation. And that, in itself, says more than any review written at launch.
