If you've been a regular reader of Retro Dodo for a while now, then you'll have no doubt read our coverage on the ModRetro Chromatic. It's one of the most beautiful handhelds that we've ever had the pleasure of playing, and when the 1st editions sold out in a matter of months, I was really glad that I put my order in and got one delivered.
We put the original Chromatic through its paces, taking a knife to the screen to see if it was scratchproof and actually driving over it to test the claims that the magnesium alloy shell would survive. It's one of the strongest, most durable handhelds we've ever reviewed, with a screen that is pixel-perfect and a catalogue of amazing games that made us feel like we were back in the 90s.
Our review of the 1st Edition ModRetro Chromatic
Now, six months after its debut, the Chromatic is back, and it's here to stay. There's also a new colourway in the white and purple 'Cloud' variant. It's a super clean design with retro purple buttons reminiscent of the Super Nintendo controller. All of the other colour variants, Wave, Inferno, Midnight, Leaf, & Bubblegum are available and won't be going out of stock anytime soon. Though they won't have the first edition branding like my one at home...
Are we the only ones thinking that ModRetro is basing their designs off Pokemon types?
If you look at the lineup in the featured image of this article, it's clear that Palmer Luckey is a huge Pokémon fan. It's no secret, really - he appeared on our podcast wearing a Pokémon shirt, after all.
But with the colour of every type of Pokémon already used in the previous line-up and a new variant that wouldn't look out of place being played by a Mewtwo or a Galarian Rapidash, I'm sure Palmer has consulted his personal Pokédex when designing this newest addition.
Palmer and the team have brought a second screen option with the 2nd Edition consoles, with both Gorilla Glass and Sapphire Glass displays on offer. Gorilla Glass provices scratch resistance and excellent drop protection, where as the Sapphire Glass display that was a part of the original drop remains the most scratch-proof and most durable display on earth.
While the Sapphire Glass Chromatics will retail for $299.99, the Gorilla Glass variants will have a cheaper price of $199.99, giving gamers on a budget a chance to experience the brilliance of the Chromatic with a screen that will be perfect for most people who are only planning on playing their Chromatic at home.
All of the new handhelds come bundled with Tetris as standard, but ModRetro have also announced today that there will be 5 new games joining the Chromatic's back catalogue too. Gravitorque, Sabrina: The Animated Series - Zapped!, Wicked Plague, Self-Simulated, and First Contact Protocol will be joining the likes of Baby T-rex and Dragonyhm, all priced at $39.99 each.
The ModRetro cart clinic is in full swing too, allowing all Chromatic users to download new additions and modes to their carts.
That's not all, though; ModRetro really know how to plan a release announcement! There are new accessories heading our way too, available for all Chromatic owners. Ditch the batteries with a rechargeable power core ($29.99), grab a link cable for trading and battling ($14.99), mod parts in with the ModKit ($14.99), and pair some matching Koss headphones with your Chromatic ($49.99).
Chromatics are fully back in stock at the time of posting this article, so for anyone who missed out the last time, head on over to the ModRetro website for more information!
