ModRetro
| Private | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Consumer electronics, video game hardware, video game publishing |
| Founded 📆 | 2023 |
| Founders 👔 | Palmer Luckey, Torin Herndon |
Area served 🗺️ | |
| Products 📟 | Chromatic, M64, video game cartridges, accessories |
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| 🌐 Website | https://modretro.com |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
ModRetro is an American consumer electronics company founded by Palmer Luckey and Torin Herndon. The company designs and manufactures high-end, retro-inspired gaming hardware and operates an independent game publishing studio, producing both newly developed titles and physical re-releases of classic games.
History
ModRetro began as an online forum founded by Palmer Luckey in 2009, where enthusiasts modified and built custom video game consoles and handhelds.[1] In 2023, Luckey revived ModRetro as a hardware company focused on creating new devices and physical games, emphasizing the preservation of older electronics and gaming experiences.[2]
Products
ModRetro Chromatic
In June 2024, ModRetro announced the Chromatic, a premium handheld console inspired by the Game Boy Color.[2]
Key features
- Machined aluminum and magnesium alloy shell
- Custom LCD tuned to match Game Boy Color pixel characteristics
- Sapphire glass lens and tactile mechanical buttons
- Optional rechargeable battery pack or AA battery support
- USB-C port for video capture and accessories
- Compatibility with Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges
- 160×144 resolution IPS display
- 10:9 aspect ratio matching the original Game Boy Color
The system uses open-source components from the MiSTer FPGA project, replicating the original Game Boy Color hardware logic at the gate level to achieve low-latency accuracy.[3]
Games and publishing
ModRetro operates a dedicated publishing division that develops new titles and reissues classic games in physical cartridge format for the Chromatic and future platforms.[4]
Re-released classics
ModRetro's "Re-Released Classics" line includes updated editions of legacy handheld games, such as:
- Toki Tori – Ultimate Edition[5]
- Rayman (ModRetro Classics Collection)[5]
- Croc: 25th Anniversary Edition[5]
- Baby T-Rex[5]
These titles are sold as new physical Game Boy compatible cartridges.
Original titles
ModRetro publishes newly developed Game Boy Color compatible games created by independent studios. Early titles included:
- Dragonyhm
- Patchy Matchy
- In the Dark 2
- Traumatarium Penitent
These games were included in early Chromatic bundles.[6]
On July 10, 2025, ModRetro released additional original games and one re-release:
- Wicked Plague
- Self-Simulated
- First Contact Protocol
- Gravitorque DX
- Sabrina: The Animated Series – Zapped! (re-release)[7]
ModRetro M64
In 2025, ModRetro announced the M64, a modern FPGA-based reinterpretation of the Nintendo 64.[8]
Collaboration with Koss
ModRetro collaborated with Koss Corporation to create limited-edition versions of the Porta Pro, offered in six colorways designed to match the Chromatic.[9]
Reception
ModRetro's hardware has been covered by several media outlets, including The Verge, Vice, Wired, Popular Mechanics, and GamesRadar+. Reviews consistently highlight the Chromatic's build quality, materials, and nostalgic authenticity while noting that the device primarily appeals to retro gaming enthusiasts.[10][11][12]
References
- ↑ "The Official ModRetro Forums". The Official ModRetro Forums. January 5, 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "The Future is Retro". ModRetro. July 9, 2025.
- ↑ "MiSTer-devel". GitHub.
- ↑ "No Distractions. Just Play". ModRetro.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Re-Released Classics". ModRetro.
- ↑ "ModRetro Chromatic Release Titles Bundle Impressions". GBAtemp.net - The Independent Video Game Community. March 21, 2025.
- ↑ "Modretro launches 4 new Game Boy Color games and one re-release today". GoNintendo. July 10, 2025.
- ↑ published, Phil Hayton (July 24, 2025). ""Inflation isn't nostalgic" - Modretro's FPGA N64 console will arrive later this year for $199.99, but I'm curbing my retro console enthusiasm". GamesRadar+.
- ↑ "ModRetro x Koss Porta Pro®". Koss Stereophones.
- ↑ Hollister, Sean (December 21, 2024). "ModRetro Chromatic review: an arms dealer's Game Boy is among the best ever made". The Verge.
- ↑ Cichacki, Shaun (December 9, 2024). "The ModRetro Chromatic Is the Bespoke Game Boy We Deserve as Adults (Review)".
- ↑ "This Modern Day Game Boy Is the Best Device I've Found for Playing the Old-School Titles". Popular Mechanics. October 21, 2025.
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