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# ModRetro’s Transparent Chromatic Is Here, and Mine Is Red
- URL: https://averagetechnerds.com/modretro-chromatic-transparent/
- Published: 2026-10-10T07:40:28.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-10T07:40:28.000Z
- Description: ModRetro’s Chromatic now comes in transparent plastic for $149.99. What changed from the metal model, what reviews say and how it ties to the M64.
- Author: Victor
- Tags: News, Retro Gaming, Handheld Gaming, #retro-handheld

ModRetro’s Chromatic now comes in transparent plastic, and I ordered one. I do own an original Game Boy Color and quite a few Game Boy cartridges, mainly Pokémon, Zelda and Tony Hawk, and the Chromatic plays all of them. I went with the red, for $149.99, without the Power Core or the case. Why the red? I mean, look around the site, won’t you? I kind of have a problem. Let’s call it a vibe. Red and black are my favorite colors, and when it’s an option, everything I have is either red or black. That’s the reason my M64 and my Analogue 3D are red too.

Bottom line up front

## So what does this mean for the *Average TechNerd*?

The transparent Chromatic is ModRetro’s FPGA Game Boy and Game Boy Color handheld in a see-through plastic shell, in smoke, purple, green or red, for $149.99 with a transparent Tetris cartridge and three AA batteries. According to ModRetro’s spec list, the shell is the only change: the same screen, Gorilla Glass lens and hardware as the $199.99 magnesium model.

For the Average TechNerd, it is the cheapest way into a Chromatic yet, and the colours match ModRetro’s transparent M64\. Early reviews like it but warn that the glossy plastic feels less premium than the metal and picks up fingerprints. There is no official battery life on AA, and the rechargeable Power Core is a $34.99 extra.

At a glance

What it is

FPGA handheld for original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges

Price

- $149.99 with a transparent Tetris cartridge and 3 AA batteries
- Magnesium models: $199.99 and $299.99

Colours

Smoke, purple, green and red

What changed

A transparent plastic shell; the rest of the spec list matches the metal model

Extras

- Rechargeable Power Core $34.99
- Case $29.99

Still unknown

- How the plastic holds up over time
- When M64 Transfer Pak support arrives

## What the transparent Chromatic is

The Chromatic plays original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges on FPGA hardware, a chip configured to behave like the original console rather than software emulation. ModRetro’s [product page](https://modretro.com/products/chromatic-transparent?ref=averagetechnerds.com) lists a 160x144 backlit IPS screen behind scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass, which ModRetro says matches the original pixel for pixel, plus a link cable port, an infrared port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack and USB-C video out to a PC, Mac or Quest headset. It runs on three AA batteries, or on ModRetro’s rechargeable Power Core.

The transparent model went on sale on October 8\. Set its spec list beside the [magnesium model’s](https://modretro.com/products/chromatic-tetris-bundle?ref=averagetechnerds.com) and the only line that differs is the shell: transparent ABS plastic in place of magnesium alloy. The transparent model costs $50 less, and the plastic makes it lighter. The Shortcut [weighed](https://www.theshortcut.com/p/modretro-chromatic-transparent-review?ref=averagetechnerds.com) it at 219 grams with batteries, against 252 grams for the metal version.

|             | Transparent                    | Gorilla Glass   | Sapphire        |
| ----------- | ------------------------------ | --------------- | --------------- |
| Shell       | Transparent ABS plastic        | Magnesium alloy | Magnesium alloy |
| Screen lens | Gorilla Glass                  | Gorilla Glass   | Sapphire        |
| Screen      | 160x144, 2.56-inch backlit IPS |                 |                 |
| Price       | $149.99                        | $199.99         | $299.99         |

![The back of the transparent red ModRetro Chromatic, showing a transparent Tetris cartridge and three AA batteries inside](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/23/b323103c-90c0-46a8-9230-7d317a5ebaf3/content/images/2026/10/chromatic-red-back.jpg)

Through the back: the Tetris cartridge and three AA batteries. Image: ModRetro

## Price and what is in the box

Every colour costs $149.99 and comes with a transparent Tetris cartridge and three AA batteries. ModRetro sells the [Rechargeable Power Core](https://modretro.com/products/rechargeable-power-core?ref=averagetechnerds.com) separately for $34.99, rating it for up to 16 hours of play, and a case for $29.99\. The listing does not call it a pre-order and gives no shipping date. My order for the red one does not show a ship or delivery date yet either. ModRetro also gives no battery-life figure for the AA batteries the console ships with.

## What early reviews say

The first reviews are positive, with the plastic as the main trade-off. The Shortcut [gave it](https://www.theshortcut.com/p/modretro-chromatic-transparent-review?ref=averagetechnerds.com) five stars and found the screen and button quality unchanged, though the face buttons and D-pad sound louder, and it noted that plastic is less likely to survive a hard drop. Retro Dodo [scored it](https://retrododo.com/modretro-chromatic-transparent-plastic-review/?ref=averagetechnerds.com) 9.5 out of 10, praising the buttons while calling the glossy shell prone to fingerprints and the battery door very tight. XDA found it [feels noticeably cheaper](https://www.xda-developers.com/modretros-new-transparent-chromatic-game-boy-looks-like-it-came-straight-out-of-the-2000s/?ref=averagetechnerds.com) than the magnesium model and called it a fingerprint magnet.

![The bottom edge of the transparent red Chromatic with headphone jack, USB-C port and speaker grille](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/23/b323103c-90c0-46a8-9230-7d317a5ebaf3/content/images/2026/10/chromatic-red-bottom.jpg)

Headphone jack, USB-C and the speaker along the bottom edge. Image: ModRetro

## The M64 connection

The four colours line up with ModRetro’s transparent M64, The Shortcut [notes](https://www.theshortcut.com/p/modretro-chromatic-transparent-review?ref=averagetechnerds.com). The two consoles are also meant to work together: ModRetro’s [M64 page](https://modretro.com/products/m64?ref=averagetechnerds.com) says Transfer Pak support, the N64 accessory that moved Pokémon and other data between Game Boy cartridges and N64 games, will come through the Chromatic in a future firmware update, alongside video passthrough. There is no date for either yet. I compared the M64 with the Analogue 3D in [this article](https://averagetechnerds.com/analogue-3d-vs-modretro-m64/).

![Hands holding the transparent red ModRetro Chromatic playing a Game Boy game](https://storage.ghost.io/c/b3/23/b323103c-90c0-46a8-9230-7d317a5ebaf3/content/images/2026/10/chromatic-red-hands.jpg)

The red Chromatic in play. Image: ModRetro

## About ModRetro

ModRetro was founded by Palmer Luckey, who also founded Oculus VR and the defense company Anduril Industries, the San Diego Business Journal [reported](https://sdbj.com/retail/oculus-creator-launches-line-of-nintendo-game-boy-clones/?ref=averagetechnerds.com) when the Chromatic launched in 2024\. That connection comes up often in discussions of ModRetro’s products.

## On its own merits

Regarding Palmer Luckey, I’m aware of the connection. But I judge this for its own merit. Maybe that’s controversial, I don’t know. I’m not going to argue it. I’m just an average tech nerd, appreciating technology on its own merits.

Do you have a colour you buy everything in? Share yours. I clearly have mine.

Based on ModRetro’s product pages and the reviews linked above, as of October 10, 2026\. Images are ModRetro’s renders; prices and availability may change.