Although the Switch 2 looks like a step in the right direction for Nintendo's capability to run big third-party games, it also feels like the end of an era. As Nintendo doubles down on the hybrid console model, it seems clear that we won't be getting anymore handheld-only consoles from them, which feels like a big loss. Luckily, the indie development scene has been working to create alternatives for fans of retro handheld consoles, and ModRetro's Chromatic feels like the exact type of console I've been missing.

When the Switch 2 was officially revealed back in January, I discussed my thoughts on how it was likely a death sentence for Nintendo's handheld-only consoles. In that article, I discussed that one of my main issues with Nintendo - and seemingly all major gaming companies - moving away from these types of consoles was that we would no longer be getting bespoke handheld experiences specifically designed around the style and limitations of a handheld console. Now, ModRetro and their Chromatic console have taken some steps towards bringing back the handheld landscape I'm missing from Nintendo.

ModRetro's Chromatic Handheld Console Is More Than A Game Boy Clone

The Chromatic Has Original Games And Has New Features

At first glance, the ModRetro Chromatic may seem similar to a Game Boy substitute like the Analogue Pocket. While the console does play old Game Boy and Game Boy Color (GBC) games, it also has one unique feature that sets it apart from the competition. ModRetro is also releasing their own unique retro games for the console, which is exactly what I've felt has been missing from the Switch.

Aside from the original titles, the ModRetro Chromatic is a major upgrade from the original Game Boy or GBC in of its hardware. As mentioned in Screen Rant's review of the Chromatic, the screen looks beautiful, and I'm especially a big fan of the adjustable brightness. My vision is bad enough, so the last thing I need is to squint at a poorly lit Game Boy screen, but it's also nice to have the option to turn the brightness down and emulate the original GBC experience.

The ModRetro's handling of the options menu is also a big plus for me. There is no landing screen like there is on most modern consoles. Insert your cartridge, turn on the system, and you're already playing your game, just like it was on the original GBC. However, there is also a settings menu you can access while in the game if needed, by pressing a button on the side of the console. It's easily navigable, while also being unintrusive. Overall, I'm mostly pleased with the system itself, as I am with the original Chromatic games that I've played so far.

ModRetro's Original Titles Are What I Want From A Handheld

Original Titles Like Dragonhym Are New Games With An Old-School Feel

So far, I've played two original titles for the ModRetro Chromatic: Tetris and Dragonhym. I don't have a ton to say about this new version of Tetris, as you pretty much know what you're getting when it comes to a Tetris game. That said, I do like that this version came bundled with my Chromatic, as it's always nice to get something to play out of the box with a new console. I see Tetris as a good alternative to mobile games if I want to kill time and don't want a barrage of ads.

Dragonhym is the exact type of game I miss from the Game Boy Color era. It's an RPG by developer Spacebot Interactive with turn-based combat not dissimilar from Pokémon in of battle mechanics. The game presents a unique fantasy world, and I was surprised how quickly I got sucked into it. Original fantasy IPs can sometimes fall into tired tropes and stock creature designs, so I was happy to see the creativity on display in Dragonhym.

The gameplay is a nice mixture of combat and puzzle solving. One of my greatest joys about playing Dragonhym has been revisiting the feeling of playing old handheld RPGs. I've been intentionally avoiding getting any help with the game from the internet, instead relying on the hints provided through NPC dialogue. This has successfully recaptured the feeling of working my way through games like Pokémon Blue or Dragon Warrior 3 on my Game Boy Color for the first time.

Games with a more retro feel like Dragonhym or Tetris are more inline with what I hope to see from a handheld console. While the Switch does have some nice retro options - the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster series is a good example - we aren't getting a ton of new games for the Switch or seemingly the Switch 2 that lean into this retro handheld feeling. That isn't surprising, given the cost of the Switch 2 or its software, but it's still nice to have an alternative like the Chromatic for original games with a retro feel.

ModRetro is also re-releasing some classic games, like Baby T-Rex and Toki Tori - Ultimate Edition. I've only played Baby T-Rex so far, and it's a perfectly fine version of a less than perfect game. The game itself isn't bad; it's a platformer where you play as the titular T-Rex, who handles like a slower Sonic with Luigi's slippery jumping. The main issue with the game is that it only offers about an hour of playtime, which isn't much at an asking price of $34.99

Chromatic Makes Streaming GBC Games Much Easier

The Chromatic Can Be Easily Connected To A PC

Another nice aspect of the Chromatic is how easily it connects to your PC for the purposes of streaming or capturing gameplay. You can connect the system directly to your computer via a USB-C cable, and it will be recognized as an external webcam. This makes it easy to capture and stream through something like OBS Studios. This is a big change of pace from trying to stream off an original Game Boy Color, or indeed any Nintendo system.

Whereas companies like Microsoft and Sony have seemingly embraced the new streaming landscape, and have built-in ways to share gameplay easily from their consoles, Nintendo still doesn't. The company in general seems hostile to the idea of streaming games, and I don't see this changing with the Switch 2. Although I don't personally stream, I do find it helpful to record my gameplay for creating guides or grabbing screenshots. In a world where so many people are aspiring content creators, having a system that makes recording gameplay more simple is a big plus.

The Chromatic Is Very Durable

The Chromatic Is Made Of Metal And Has A Durable Screen

One of my biggest issues with the Switch as a handheld is that I rarely feel comfortable using it in public. It's an expensive piece of hardware, and it isn't exactly compact. As someone who has been walking around with a shattered phone screen for a while, I don't exactly relish the idea of dropping and breaking my expensive game console. Luckily, this isn't as big of an issue with the Chromatic as it is with the Switch.

The Chromatic is much more compact, so I can easily stash it in my pocket for safe keeping. Aside from that, it's incredibly durable, as it's made from magnesium alloy instead of plastic. While I'm not sure that I'd run the Chromatic over with my car, as a promotional image on ModRetro's website suggests you can, YouTuber JerryRigEverything did put the console's case and screen through rigorous durability tests, and it came out fine on the other side.

Not Everything About The Chromatic Is Perfect

The Chromatic Is Expensive And Its Founder Is Controversial

While I do like a lot about ModRetro's Chromatic, it isn't exactly perfect. For one thing, it lacks the same functionality as alternatives that are around the same price point. An Analogue Pocket ($219.99) is only $30 more than a Chromatic ($199.99), but it can also play Game Boy Advance games. In an interview with RetroDodo, ModRetro founder Palmer Luckey teased the idea that a Game Boy Advance model could be coming in the future. At this point, though, it's hard to argue the Chromatic offers much more than the competition aside from its impressive hardware materials.

Then, there's the topic of ModRetro's founder himself. While researching the system, I stumbled onto a Reddit thread where the top comment mentioned Luckey as a reason not to buy the console, with another thanking them for the heads-up. Deciding it would be somewhat irresponsible not to see what this might be referring to before giving my recommendation on a product created by Luckey, I looked into the Chromatic's creator and can see where these commenters are coming from.

In a talk at Pepperdine University about his weapons manufacturing company, Anduril Industries, Palmer Luckey made the following comments:

I’m a propagandist. I’ll twist the truth, I’ll put forward only my version of it if I think that’s going to propagandize people to believe what I need them to believe.

It's not exactly comforting to hear anyone say they are open to manipulating the truth to get their way, even less so when that person is developing weapons. I wouldn't blame any conscientious objectors who are unwilling to give their money to Luckey, and I'm happy I didn't (I was provided with a Chromatic and the games discussed for the purposes of this coverage).

If you're looking for a Game Boy Color alternative that is solid both literally and figuratively, and you don't have any scruples about funding ModRetro's owner, then the Chromatic is a good choice. I wish I could celebrate it wholeheartedly, as I really do think it fits what I want from a handheld console better than the Switch 2. Hopefully, more indie companies will be inspired to develop new games like Dragonhym that preserve the art of retro handheld titles.

Sources: JerryRigEverything/YouTube, Reddit, Pepperdine University, Anduril Industries

Screen Rant was provided a Chromatic console and copies of Tetris, Dragonhym, and Baby T-Rex.