ModRetro · Updated July 2026

ModRetro Chromatic: price, specs & release date

Name: ModRetro Chromatic
Brand: ModRetro
Price: 199.99 USD
Availability: InStock

The ModRetro Chromatic costs $199.99, #7 cheapest of 9 retro gaming handhelds (median $99.99). It earns a Silver Deskmark — 67/100 pay-blind standing, #3 of 9 in class.

Verified Jul 11, 2026 · figures linked to their source in the table below

See ModRetro Chromatic on Amazon Recorded 2026-07-11 — live price may differ. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Best for Premium magnesium alloy build quality; Bright, faithful custom backlit display.
Skip if Expensive for its narrow, Game-Boy-only scope is a dealbreaker.

ModRetro Chromatic, released 2024-12. Every price and spec below is linked to its source and dated — no guesses.

Source: modretro.com verified 2026-07-11 ✓ corroborated verify in ledger

ModRetro Chromatic — ModRetro — Image: modretro.com (© ModRetro)

Is the ModRetro Chromatic a good buy?

At $200, the ModRetro Chromatic is #7 cheapest of the 9 retro gaming handhelds we track, where the median is $99.99. On the spec sheet, its screen size of 2.56 in is the lowest of the 10, its RAM of 0 GB is the lowest of the 7, and its internal storage of 0 GB is the lowest of the 8. By release date, it is the newest of the 5 we date.

Evidence of Record

Our data

Independent labsmeasured it: 1
Physical metricsrecorded: 1
Outlets on record1 tested · 1 mention-only: 2

One independent lab measured this product across 1 physical metric — battery. These numbers rest on a single hands-on source so far; 1 other outlet has it on record by mention only.

A coverage record, not a rating. How we count

Review consensus · sourced & dated

What reviewers say about the ModRetro Chromatic

Based on 2 reviews · 2 lab-tested · 2024-11-18–2024-12-17

Tested by TechRadar, Digital Trends

Consistently praised

Premium magnesium alloy build quality · 2 sources
Bright, faithful custom backlit display · 2 sources
High-quality PBT buttons and d-pad · 2 sources

Commonly flagged

Expensive for its narrow, Game-Boy-only scope · 2 sources
No Game Boy Advance / fewer features than the Analogue Pocket · 2 sources
Runs on single-use AA batteries

Where reviewers disagree On the AA batteries: TechRadar is frustrated ('using single-use batteries still sucks'), while Digital Trends frames them positively, noting the Chromatic 'doesn't guzzle them up,' lasting over 8 hours at default brightness.

The sources (2)

TechRadar lab-tested · 2024-12-17

The Chromatic's display is genuinely incredible, if you're looking for a faithful Game Boy experience with a little added oomph.

Ultimately, what sets this console back is the game library limitations and the devotion to nostalgia, limiting the hardware compared to 2024's standards.

Well, over 20 years later and using single-use batteries still sucks.

Digital Trends lab-tested · 2024-11-18

battery life (AA, default brightness): over 8 hours

It takes AA batteries, but doesn't guzzle them up, lasting over 8 hours at its default brightness.

Its PBT buttons feel durable, which sets the Chromatic apart from some other Game Boy-inspired handhelds with comparatively low-quality buttons.

At release, it retails for $200, which is pricey for the limited scope of what it offers.

Specifications

Price (US)	$199.99 US MSRP. ModRetro official product page comparison table states "Price — Starts at $199.99 (New)" for the Chromatic. TechRadar (17 Dec 2024) and XDA (25 Nov 2024) both list the list price as "$199". Used the manufacturer's stated starting figure of 199.99.
Brand	ModRetro
Released	2024-12
Screen size (in)	2.56
Screen resolution	160x144
Panel type	IPS
Refresh rate (Hz)	—
Soc	FPGA
RAM (GB)	0
Internal storage (GB)	0
Battery capacity (mAh)	—
Battery life hrs	19
Operating system	proprietary
Weight grams	175
Has Wi-Fi	No

Source: modretro.com (verified 2026-07-11) · corroborated by techradar.com. The ModRetro official product page (Chromatic + Tetris Bundle) confirms this exact model — an FPGA-based cartridge console fully compatible with Game Boy and Game Boy Color games — and its Product Details/comparison sections verbatim give a "160X144 pixel 2.56\" IPS backlit LCD", "FPGA-based architecture", a magnesium alloy thixomolded shell, a "Battery Life 19 hrs" rating, a 6.2 oz weight, and a US price of "Starts at $199.99 (New)". TechRadar's dated review (17 December 2024) corroborates the identity and price ("$199"), the 160x144 display, the no-Wi-Fi connection set (Game Link Cable, USB-C, 3.5mm), and uniquely lists the metric weight as "6.2oz / 175g". Neither page publishes a panel refresh rate or a battery mAh capacity (the console runs on 3x AA cells), so those two fields are left null; ramGb and internalStorageGb are 0 per the methodology's FPGA/cartridge-device convention since the confirmed FPGA architecture has no general RAM or onboard storage.

Is the ModRetro Chromatic worth it vs cheaper retro gaming handhelds?

ModRetro Chromatic against its closest cheaper and pricier retro gaming handhelds on the specs that matter — every value sourced. See all 9 ranked →

Product	Price	Screen size (in)	Screen resolution	Panel type	Soc	RAM (GB)
ModRetro Chromatic this	$199.99	2.56	160x144	IPS	FPGA	0
Retroid Pocket 5	$199	5.5	1920 x 1080	AMOLED	Snapdragon 865	8
AYANEO Pocket Micro	$230.95	3.5	960x640	IPS	MediaTek Helio G99	6

Frequently asked questions

What do reviewers say about the ModRetro Chromatic?

Both whitelisted hands-on reviewers, TechRadar (one month of use) and Digital Trends, recommend the Chromatic as a premium, faithful modern Game Boy Color with an excellent backlit screen and build, but flag its high price and Game-Boy-only library versus the Analogue Pocket. Digital Trends measured over 8 hours of AA battery life at default brightness; TechRadar ran no benchmarks. Praised: Premium magnesium alloy build quality; Bright, faithful custom backlit display; High-quality PBT buttons and d-pad. Flagged: Expensive for its narrow, Game-Boy-only scope; No Game Boy Advance / fewer features than the Analogue Pocket; Runs on single-use AA batteries. (From 2 tester reviews, 2 lab-tested.)

How much does the ModRetro Chromatic cost?

The ModRetro Chromatic has a US price of $199.99 (US MSRP. ModRetro official product page comparison table states "Price — Starts at $199.99 (New)" for the Chromatic. TechRadar (17 Dec 2024) and XDA (25 Nov 2024) both list the list price as "$199". Used the manufacturer's stated starting figure of 199.99.), as of 2026-07-11.

How does the ModRetro Chromatic compare on price?

At $200, the ModRetro Chromatic is #7 cheapest of the 9 retro gaming handhelds we track, where the median is $99.99.

When was the ModRetro Chromatic released?

The ModRetro Chromatic was released 2024-12.

What are the ModRetro Chromatic's key specs?

ModRetro Chromatic (ModRetro): screenSizeIn 2.56, screenResolution 160x144, panelType IPS, soc FPGA, ramGb 0. Full sourced spec sheet verified 2026-07-11.