ModRetro Chromatic Review: The Ultimate Game Boy from an Arms Dealer’s Perspective

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If Lockheed Martin made a Game Boy, would you consider purchasing one?

During the 1990s, many kids were captivated by military aircraft, a fascination bolstered by films like Top Gun, which glamorized fighter jets like the F-14 Tomcat. While many were drawn to the sleek design and thrilling action of these planes, I found myself particularly enamored with the Lockheed F-117A, dubbed the “Stealth Fighter,” and the high-speed Lockheed SR-71. As a child, I would have eagerly grabbed a limited-edition black Game Boy designed by Lockheed Martin, attracted by its stealthy charm. However, maturity brings awareness; Lockheed Martin is not just a manufacturer of impressive aircraft, but also a weapons supplier. The reality is sobering—I have no control over the distribution of their technologies or the conflicts they may contribute to.

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on Lockheed Martin while reviewing a much simpler device: the ModRetro Chromatic. This high-end reinterpretation of the classic Nintendo Game Boy might just be the pinnacle of Game Boy remakes. Yet, it’s produced by a company reminiscent of Lockheed in many ways: Anduril, a defense contractor known for developing drone technology, surveillance systems, and other military apparatus.

The founder of both ModRetro and Anduril is Palmer Luckey, the visionary behind the Oculus Rift VR headset. Luckey, an avid enthusiast of anime and gaming, owns a vast collection of video games stored in a decommissioned U.S. nuclear missile silo. His interests juxtapose sharply with his role in the defense industry, raising questions about the intersection of technology and militarization.

Luckey’s endeavors have made headlines not just for innovation, but for his political stances and affiliations. He has drawn criticism for a past project aligning with politically charged ideals. Furthermore, the military roots of his technology projects provoke thought about the implications of blending entertainment with defense.

Many technology companies today are entwined with military contracts. Contracts like Google’s Project Nimbus with Israel raise significant ethical concerns, underscoring a pervasive issue in Silicon Valley where commercial interests occasionally clash with humanitarian principles. Microsoft is augmenting military capabilities with its augmented reality technology, while Meta has opened its AI platforms to defense contractors. Despite widespread implications, most consumers conveniently overlook these issues in day-to-day product interactions.

Yet, as these corporations navigate the defense sector under the guise of “just business,” ModRetro presents a fun yet unnecessary product that directly ties to Luckey’s politically charged views on military engagement and technology. Hosting fundraisers for political figures, he fervently promotes the idea that tech industry ties with the military are beneficial, viewing it as a personal mission rather than a mere commercial endeavor.

As someone who has spent time using the ModRetro Chromatic, I appreciate its quality and design, finding it to be an exceptional way to experience classic Game Boy titles. However, the connection to Luckey and the implications of supporting a product emanating from a military contractor complicate my enjoyment. What follows is a straightforward review of the Chromatic, a device that I found enjoyable but also leaves me grappling with some moral conflict.

Pros

• Exceptional build quality
• Authentic Game Boy experience, especially the display
• Good battery longevity
• Clear audio from speakers
• Convenient USB-C charging

Cons

• Avoidable association with Palmer Luckey
• Compact design may not suit larger hands
• Lack of save states can hinder gameplay for some
• Headphone output isn’t very loud
• Incompatibility with Game Boy Advance games

For Luckey, the Game Boy holds personal significance—it’s where his tech journey began. His venture, ModRetro, initially focused on modifying existing handheld consoles. Now, the Chromatic is a high-end reimagining that remains loyal to the aesthetic and principle of the original Game Boy.

The Chromatic, priced at $220, rejects modern enhancements like supporting various cartridges or save states for a more authentic retro experience. While devices like the $220 Analogue Pocket modernize and adapt the Game Boy concept, the Chromatic is a homage, preserving the original’s quirks while enhancing its durability with modern materials.

Internally, the Chromatic merges characteristics from both the 1989 Game Boy and the 1998 Game Boy Color. Unlike the Analogue Pocket, this device is focused strictly on playing original cartridges, booting them seamlessly when powered on. The FPGA technology allows for a gameplay experience that’s smooth and responsive, avoiding the flaws often associated with software emulation.

Playing titles like Pokémon Pinball on the Chromatic emphasizes the experience as originally intended—high stakes and real-time engagement with no save states to rely on. For many players accustomed to contemporary gaming conveniences, this might prove challenging; however, it effectively captures the essence of retro gaming, channeling the spirit of the original device.

The overall tactile feedback of the Chromatic—its button designs, layout, and weight—revive the nostalgia of the Game Boy experience, offering homage where it counts while still innovating where possible. Nonetheless, there is undoubtedly a shadow of conflict looming over these advancements, directly tied to the founder’s military pursuits.

Ultimately, while the Chromatic stands out for its build quality and dedication to preserving the nostalgia of the classic Game Boy, the underlying connections to military technology contribute an unsettling layer to what should be a purely fun experience. With equipment that evokes fond memories yet is tied to disconcerting realities, consumers may find themselves in a moral quandary as they choose whether to support such products.

This Model is designed well and built to last, but the amalgamation of childhood nostalgia with modern-day military implications reinforces that complex dialogue surrounding technology and warfare. While it offers a superior way to relive retro gaming, it carries emotional weight that goes beyond gameplay.

Source
www.theverge.com