Torin Herndon
| Torin Herndon | |
|---|---|
| File:Torin Herndon.jpgTorin Herndon.jpg Herndon in 2025 | |
| Born | |
| 🏫 Education | Stanford University |
| 💼 Occupation | Engineer, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Co-founder and CEO of ModRetro |
Torin Herndon is an American engineer and entrepreneur who serves as the chief executive officer and co-founder of ModRetro, a consumer electronics company focused on retro-inspired hardware and software. He previously worked at Oculus VR and Anduril Industries before co-founding ModRetro with Palmer Luckey in 2023.
Early life and education
Herndon studied mechanical engineering and product design at Stanford University.[1] According to Digital Trends, his interest in video games and interactive technology influenced both his academic studies and later work in consumer electronics.[1]
Career
Oculus VR
Following his studies at Stanford, Herndon joined Oculus VR as a product designer. During his time at Oculus, he worked on virtual reality hardware and product development as the company expanded following its acquisition by Facebook.[2]
Anduril Industries
In 2017, Herndon joined Anduril Industries, the defense technology company co-founded by Palmer Luckey. He worked on engineering and hardware development projects during the company's early growth period.[3][2]
ModRetro
In 2023, Herndon and Palmer Luckey incorporated ModRetro as a consumer electronics company focused on retro-inspired gaming hardware.[4]
As chief executive officer and lead engineer, Herndon oversaw development of the ModRetro Chromatic, a handheld console designed to play original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges using FPGA technology.[5]
In interviews, Herndon has stated that repairability, long-term hardware support, and physical game ownership were major goals behind the company's products.[6]
Under Herndon's leadership, ModRetro expanded into game publishing, releasing original cartridge titles and re-releases of classic games for the Chromatic platform.[7]
In 2025, ModRetro announced the M64, an FPGA-based recreation of the Nintendo 64. Herndon stated that the project was intended to provide compatibility with original cartridges and controllers while supporting modern display technology.[8]
Public profile
Herndon has represented ModRetro in interviews with gaming and technology publications, discussing hardware design, FPGA technology, manufacturing, and preservation of legacy gaming systems.[6][5]
In 2025, Herndon participated in a promotional event organized by Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and GameStop to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Goodyear Blimp. The event featured a Pokémon battle played aboard the blimp and included Palmer Luckey and YouTuber Casey Neistat.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "35 years later, the Game Boy still shapes how we play games". Digital Trends. August 13, 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Palmer Luckey's Retro Gaming Startup Nears $1B Valuation". Observer. March 9, 2026.
- ↑ "Palmer Luckey's new defense company Anduril looks to build a border wall". TechCrunch. October 19, 2017.
- ↑ "How ModRetro Built a Screen Nobody Wanted to Make". Hyperlific.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "The ModRetro Chromatic Is a Game Boy Fit for Your Apocalypse Bunker". Wired. July 10, 2025.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Interview: ModRetro CEO On What Makes Chromatic The Ultimate Game Boy In 2024". Time Extension. July 30, 2024.
- ↑ "Games". ModRetro.
- ↑ "ModRetro Is "Contributing To" The MiSTer FPGA Project And Not Looking To Replace It With The M64, Says CEO". Time Extension. September 19, 2025.
- ↑ "Goodyear and GameStop Take Gaming to New Heights for 100th Anniversary Showdown in the Sky". Goodyear. August 7, 2025.
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