ModRetro Chromatic: the Game Boy revisited by the founder of Oculus
Palmer Luckey, former Game Boy modder and founder of Oculus, is now a subcontractor for the US military, supplying drones. It is making headlines again with the launch of the ModRetro Chromatic, a game console that takes on the aesthetics and functionalities of the Game Boy. Priced at $199, the Chromatic will ship during the holiday season; it promises to delight fans of retro games.
Retro, but stylish
The ModRetro Chromatic features a magnesium alloy body, sapphire crystal glass to protect the screen, PBT buttons, and an IPS screen that faithfully reproduces the size, resolution, and pixel structure of the Game Boy and the Game Boy Color. With a brightness of more than 1,000 nits, it is possible to play even in direct sunlight.
“ We wanted to recreate the authentic Game Boy experience, down to the smallest details » explains Luckey. The console incorporates an FPGA, similar to that of the Analogue Pocket, a chip that allows you to read the original cartridges as if you were playing on a Nintendo console.
The Chromatic not only reproduces classic games, it also offers original cartridges with new games. “ We're planning physical re-releases and remasters of classic titles, as well as new launches of Game Boy games canceled before release » Announces Palmer Luckey.
The console includes a Link cable port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a zero-latency USB-C video output. Powered by three AA batteries, the console can also be equipped with an optional lithium-ion pack, and it is possible to recharge NiMH batteries via USB-C.
The ModRetro Chromatic also comes with an in-house developed (and duly licensed) Tetris game, which includes reimagined versions of the game's famous music and multiplayer functionality via the Link cable. “ We wanted to pay homage to one of the most iconic consoles with this project » says Luckey, explaining that the hardware and software design of the console was entirely developed by ModRetro.
This Palmer Luckey project is not unanimous. Known for his controversial political donations and military projects with his company Anduril, he remains a divisive figure. Some players will be hesitant to support an initiative associated with such a character. But fans of retro consoles could well put their hand in their pocket because the ModRetro promises to be technically very interesting and rather stylish.
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