Technologies
ModRetro Chromatic Review: The Perfect Game Boy Restomod
ModRetro went in a dramatically different direction with this Game Boy re-creation, and it succeeds in capturing the original’s charm.
Our Experts
Pros
- Beautiful screen
- Sturdy construction
- Vibrant design and colors
Cons
- Batteries
- Delicate paint job
- Price
- Mono sound
Lots of brands attempt to market nostalgia, but few succeed in capturing its warm essence. From hot pink flip phones to guitar amp-inspired Bluetooth speakers, these retro callbacks have the sheen of decades prior but are nothing more than reskinned modern tech. The ModRetro Chromatic, a modern Game Boy from Oculus Rift inventor and co-founder of defense company Anduril Industries Palmer Luckey, however, makes deliberate old-school compromises. Mainly, it uses less pixel-dense LCD displays to elicit emotions from yesteryear. It’s these forced compromises that help the Chromatic stand out even if, on paper, it doesn’t have all the most cutting-edge tech.
The result is a super-premium, slightly hindered Game Boy clone that feels like what Nintendo would have made if cost weren’t an issue. It even includes a copy of Tetris, like the original Game Boy did in 1989, a nice touch by ModRetro. The Chromatic’s high-end materials and features do come at a high price, though: $200, which is substantially higher than the Game Boy Color’s MSRP of $80 back in 1998 — about $160 adjusted for inflation. For the gamer who appreciates high-quality bespoke hardware and a commitment to authenticity, however, the price is well worth it.
Big chunky pixels
The most standout feature on the ModRetro Chromatic is its screen. It’s a 160×144, 2.56-inch IPS LCD display. If that resolution and size seem small, that’s because they are. Unlike modern displays, which have resolutions so high that you can’t even make out the individual blocks, ModRetro keeps things chunky.
This choice allows ModRetro to re-create that original Game Boy experience. Back then, cheap consumer displays weren’t as advanced and had pixels that were simply larger and more visible. For games that used sprites, like Pokemon or Wario Land 3, the pixel layout was a perfect grid to lay art assets on. It was a limitation of the time that game creators used as a canvas.
Modern emulation devices, including emulator apps you can install on your phone, can simply upscale all the in-game assets to make the image look super sharp. This is an approach that 2021’s Analogue Pocket used. When I heard that ModRetro was going to produce a device with big, blocky pixels, I was left perplexed. I believed that Analogue’s approach was the most sound. But after using the Chromatic, I realized there’s a charm to keeping things old school.
In my roughly 20 hours of Pokemon Crystal and Tetris gameplay over the past few months, I was slowly won over to the charms of the Chromatic’s screen. The lower resolution is what Pokemon was meant to look like. Sure, the Analogue Pocket, as well as a whole host of other emulation devices, can mimic the retro grid of the original Game Boy using filters, but it’s not the same. You can tell it’s software making the pixels look chunky.
In terms of colors, the IPS display ModRetro has sourced for the Chromatic is excellent. Visuals pop, and the overall presentation is clean without any smearing. The only way it could have been better is if ModRetro had opted for an OLED display. The glass atop the display is also of remarkable quality, using Sapphire crystal glass. Sapphire is a high-quality and expensive material known for its durability and transparency. It’s most often found on the faces of high-end watches and camera lenses.
The Chromatic captures in my mind the rose-tinted memories I had of playing my Game Boy Color on long road trips back when I was in elementary school. It’s something that the Analogue Pocket couldn’t do. Although the Pocket does have a Nintendo Switch-like dock and lets me play games on my giant television, a novelty I very much enjoy.
The Chromatic feels substantial
There’s been a long-running meme about the indestructible nature of the Nokia 3310, a beloved classic cellphone from the year 2000. It was made with chunky plastic and could survive just about any drop. The original Game Boy and Game Boy Color had that same design philosophy in mind, with one even surviving the Gulf War. The minimalist iPhone style hadn’t yet entered mass-market electronic design.
The ModRetro Chromatic adopts the ’80s and ’90s chunky design philosophy and opts for magnesium alloy instead of plastic, which offers both durability and heft. The three AA batteries inside also add to the weight and feel, but bring back ’90s handheld annoyances. A set of AA batteries lasts about 6 to 8 hours, depending on the screen’s brightness. As someone who loves the Game Boy Color, one thing I don’t miss is looking under seat cushions for batteries.
After some delay, the rechargeable battery pack is now available for $30.
Despite the shortcomings of AA batteries, as I mentioned previously, the Chromatic feels like what Nintendo would have made if costs weren’t a concern. It’s something I love about it. So rarely do we see electronics leaning into absurdity with little worry about cost. The expenditure in developing the display is something Luckey spoke of on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.
It is.I spent a ton of money developing a custom display that is accurate all the way to the subpixel level, which is critical given how subpixel-aware good art of the time had to be.The panel isn’t even standard RGB, we used custom color filters to mimick the GBC LCD.
— Palmer Luckey (@PalmerLuckey) June 5, 2024
Even though there’s a good heft to the Chromatic, there didn’t seem to be any room for stereo speakers. Regrettably, there’s just a single speaker at the bottom of the device. A large part of the Game Boy library actually does support stereo sound, so headphones will be required to get the full sonic experience. There’s no Bluetooth either, so you’ll need to stick to wired cans.
Vibrant but delicate paint job
The ModRetro Chromatic is almost the antithesis of the Analogue Pocket. It opts for metals over plastics. It sports a lower-res screen over one that’s literally 14 times more dense. And instead of black or white, it gives consumers a wide range of color options, all with wonderful flourishes to give each unit a distinct identity. A few weeks back, all colors, except the muted GameStop-exclusive gray were sold out. Now, all colors are back in stock, including a new cloud colorway, which is white with purple accents.
(Note: Analogue has done limited edition re-releases of the Pocket in a wide range of colors, including ones inspired by the original Game Boy Color and Game Boy Pocket lineups, as well as a $500 aluminum variant.)
Our first-edition review unit in yellow, which ModRetro calls Volt, has red face buttons and brown and beige accents in the corners, reminding me of the earth tones present in homes from the 1970s. The ModRetro Chromatic is as much a plaything as it is a display piece.
Unfortunately, ModRetro didn’t spray a clear coat over the Chromatic’s luscious paint job. Sure, it gives the Chromatic a satisfying matte texture, but it makes the paint very delicate. Even with my careful use, I’ve already marred it with two small nicks, revealing the bare metal underneath. It makes me scared to take the Chromatic out of my house, which defeats the purpose of handheld gaming.
A worthy Game Boy revival at a high price
The ModRetro Chromatic’s gorgeous screen, magnesium build, stand-out paint job and sapphire crystal come at a $200 price. Well, at the time of this review, it was $200. Now, if you want a Chromatic with sapphire crystal, it’ll cost $300. Thankfully, there’s still a $200 option fitted with Gorilla Glass, meaning it’s not as strong but is luckily still scratch resistant. Either way, that’s a lot to pay for an electronic that can only play games from the ’80s, ’90s and early 2000s. Well, ModRetro is publishing newer Game Boy games, and companies like Incube8 Games, Bitmap Soft, and Mega Cat Studios are also releasing newer as well as homebrew titles on classic cartridges.
For $200, you could get a Nintendo Switch Lite and gain access to a massive library of modern titles as well as older games via the Nintendo Switch Online service. There’s also a slew of emulation devices filling up Amazon, AliExpress and TikTok Shop that offer thousands of old-school preloaded Game Boy titles of legally dubious origin for less than $50.
Here’s the thing: Emulation can’t beat the original. Even on the newly released Nintendo Switch 2, game emulation of older content still introduces input lag, which is the amount of time it takes for a button press to show up on screen. For hard-core gamers, this is suboptimal. Only when the original code is running through real circuits and transistors does it deliver an authentic experience.
If you’re the type that doesn’t care about authenticity and a true-to-form gaming experience, well, you likely aren’t reading this review. For this person, one of those emulation handhelds will suffice. There are dedicated sites that review the sea of retro gaming handhelds coming out of China, seemingly on a bi-weekly basis.
But if you’re the person who wants the satisfying snap of docking in an old-school Game Boy cartridge and sinking into the corner cushions of your couch with a pouch of Capri Sun resting on your chest, there really isn’t a much better experience than what the ModRetro Chromatic offers.
Technologies
Kohler Wants to Put a Tiny Camera in Your Toilet and Analyze the Contents
The company’s new Dekoda toilet accessory is like a little bathroom detective.
Some smart litter boxes can monitor our pets’ habits and health, so having a camera in our human toilet bowls seems inevitable. That’s just what kitchen and bathroom fixture company Kohler has done for its new health and wellness brand, Kohler Health.
The $599 Dekoda clamps over the rim like a toilet bowl cleaner, pointing an optical sensor at your excretions and secretions. It then analyzes the images to detect any blood and reviews your gut health and hydration status. Depending on the plan you choose, the subscription fee is between $70 and $156 per year.
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At toilet time, you sign in via a fingerprint sensor so that the device knows who’s using the facilities. (Please wash your hands before signing out or tracking your progress.) Then, check in with the app for the day’s analysis and trends over time.
Wait until you’re off the pot, though, before you start doomscrolling your health. The device has a removable, rechargeable battery and uses a USB connection.
Kohler says it secures your data via the aforementioned fingerprint scanner and end-to-end encryption, and notes that the camera uses «discreet optics,» looking only at the results, not your body parts.
«Dekoda’s sensors see down into your toilet and nowhere else,» the company says.
Kohler warns that the technology doesn’t work very well with dark toilet colors, which makes sense. I’m sure there could be an upsell model with a light on it. Maybe the company could add an olfactory sensor, since smell reveals a lot about your gut health too. It could track «session» length or buildup under the rim to alert whoever has responsibility to clean it.
Kohler must have been straining to find appropriate lifestyle photos to include with the publicity materials. Many of the images are hilarious, featuring fit-looking men and women drinking water and staring off into space contemplatively — probably thinking about gas.
Technologies
Who’s Up to Fight Mega-Corporations in the Outer Worlds 2 on Xbox Game Pass?
Save the universe by fighting one CEO at a time in The Outer Worlds 2, plus play other great games coming to Xbox Game Pass in October.
Space is the final frontier, and it’s packed with some devious mega-corporations who are out to make a buck in The Outer Worlds 2. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can fight them in the highly anticipated sequel starting on Oct. 29.
Xbox Game Pass offers hundreds of games you can play on your Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, smart TV and PC or mobile device, with prices starting at $10 a month. While all Game Pass tiers offer you a library of games, Game Pass Ultimate ($30 a month) gives you access to the most games, as well as Day 1 games, like Hollow Knight: Silksong, added monthly.
Here are all the games subscribers can play on Game Pass soon. You can also check out other games the company added to the service in October, including Ninja Gaiden 4.
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PowerWash Simulator 2
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can start playing on Oct. 23.
If you’ve ever spent hours watching people on YouTube clean dirty rugs, cars and other grimy objects, you should check out PowerWash Simulator 2. As the name suggests, this sequel is all about blasting away dirt and filth from pools, homes and other objects around town. You have a furry kitty companion, and yes, you can pet them when you’ve finished cleaning.
Bounty Star
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can start playing on Oct. 23.
The American Southwest has devolved into a lawless, post-apocalyptic desert called the Red Expanse in this game. You’re out to clean the place up in this game by taking down major bounties issued by the government, and the best way to do that is by piloting and customizing a giant mech, of course. When you want to nurse your wounds, head back to your run-down garage to rest, grow and cook food and raise animals. It’s like a cozy Armored Core game.
Super Fantasy Kingdom (game preview)
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can start playing on Oct. 24.
After returning from a hunting trip, you find your 8-bit kingdom wrecked in this game. You must rebuild your domain in this roguelite, city builder. But as night falls, hordes of monsters emerge to tear everything back down. Build, mine, cook and grow your home, and prepare to defend it from all dangers.
Halls of Torment
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass subscribers can start playing on Oct. 28.
Get ready to descend into the deadly Halls of Torment in this retro, horde survival game. You can choose between 11 playable characters, each with their own playstyle, and equip various items and abilities to survive waves of enemies. This game is like Vampire Survivors, so if you like that game give this one a shot.
The Outer Worlds 2
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can start playing on Oct. 29.
Clear your calendar for this sequel to the award-winning sci-fi adventure, The Outer Worlds. This time, you’re an Earth Directorate agent investigating the cause of devastating rifts that could destroy humanity. You have a new ship, new crew, new enemies and mega-corporation goons standing between you and the answers.
1000xResist
Game Pass Ultimate, Game Pass Premium and PC Game Pass subscribers can start playing on Nov. 4.
One thousand years in the future, humanity is hanging on by a thread after a disease spread by alien occupation forces people to live underground in this sci-fi adventure game. You play as Watcher, and you fulfill your duties well, until one day you make a shocking discovery. This game won a Peabody Award in 2024, and it was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Game Writing that same year, so get ready for a story like no other.
Football Manager 26
Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can start playing on Oct. 29.
Get ready for a more immersive matchday experience in the latest installment of the Football Manager franchise. You can build a star-studded squad with new transfer tools, and this entry features official Premier League licenses and women’s football for the first time in the series’ history.
Game Pass subscribers can play the standard or Console edition of this game.
Games leaving Game Pass on Oct. 31
While Microsoft is adding those games to Game Pass, it’s also removing three others from the service on Oct. 31. So you still have some time to finish your campaign and any side quests before you have to buy these games separately.
Jusant
Metal Slug Tactics
Return to Monkey Island
For more on Xbox, discover other games available on Game Pass now and check out our hands-on review of the gaming service. You can also learn about recent changes to the Game Pass service.
Technologies
Does Charging Your Phone Overnight Damage the Battery? We Asked the Experts
Modern smartphones are protected against overcharging, but heat and use habits can still degrade your battery over time.
Plugging your phone in before you head to bed might seem like second nature. That way by the time your alarms go off in the morning, your phone has a full charge and is ready to help you conquer your day. However, over time, your battery will start to degrade. So is keeping your phone plugged in overnight doing damage to the battery?
The short answer is no. Keeping your phone plugged in all the time won’t ruin your battery. Modern smartphones are built with smart charging systems that cut off or taper power once they’re full, preventing the kind of «overcharging damage» that was common in older devices. So if you’re leaving your iPhone or Android on the charger overnight, you can relax.
That said, «won’t ruin your battery» doesn’t mean it has no effect. Batteries naturally degrade with age and use, and how you charge plays a role in how fast that happens. Keeping a phone perpetually at 100% can add extra stress on the battery, especially when paired with heat, which is the real enemy of longevity.
Understanding when this matters (and when it doesn’t) can help you make small changes to extend your phone’s lifespan.
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The science behind battery wear
Battery health isn’t just about how many times you charge your phone. It’s about how it manages voltage, temperature and maintenance. Lithium-ion batteries age fastest when they’re exposed to extreme levels: 0% and 100%.
Keeping them near full charge for long stretches puts additional voltage stress on the cathode and electrolyte. That’s why many devices use «trickle charging» or temporarily pause at 100%, topping up only when needed.
Still, the biggest threat isn’t overcharging — it’s heat. When your phone is plugged in and running demanding apps, it produces heat that accelerates chemical wear inside the battery. If you’re gaming, streaming or charging on a hot day, that extra warmth does far more harm than leaving the cable plugged in overnight.
Apple’s take
Apple’s battery guide describes lithium-ion batteries as «consumable components» that naturally lose capacity over time. To slow that decline, iPhones use Optimized Battery Charging, which learns your daily routine and pauses charging at about 80% until just before you typically unplug, reducing time spent at high voltage.
Apple also advises keeping devices between 0 to 35 degrees Celsius (32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit) and removing certain cases while charging to improve heat dissipation. You can read more on Apple’s official battery support page.
What Samsung (and other Android makers) do
Samsung offers a similar feature called Battery Protect, found in One UI’s battery and device care settings. When enabled, it caps charging at 85%, which helps reduce stress during long charging sessions.
Other Android makers like Google, OnePlus and Xiaomi include comparable options — often called Adaptive Charging, Optimized Charging or Battery Care — that dynamically slow power delivery or limit charge based on your habits. These systems make it safe to leave your phone plugged in for extended periods without fear of overcharging.
When constant charging can hurt
Even with these safeguards, some conditions can accelerate battery wear. As mentioned before, the most common culprit is high temperature. Even for a short period of time, leaving your phone charging in direct sunlight, in a car or under a pillow can push temperatures into unsafe zones.
Heavy use while charging, like gaming or 4K video editing, can also cause temperature spikes that degrade the battery faster. And cheap, uncertified cables or adapters may deliver unstable current that stresses cells. If your battery is already several years old, it’s naturally more sensitive to this kind of strain.
How to charge smarter
You don’t need to overhaul your habits but a few tweaks can help your battery age gracefully.
Start by turning on your phone’s built-in optimization tools: Optimized Battery Charging on iPhones, Battery Protect on Samsung devices and Adaptive Charging on Google Pixels. These systems learn your routine and adjust charging speed so your phone isn’t sitting at 100% all night.
Keep your phone cool while charging. According to Apple, phone batteries perform best between 62 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 22 degrees Celsius). If your phone feels hot, remove its case or move it to a better-ventilated or shaded spot. Avoid tossing it under a pillow or too close to other electronics, like your laptop, and skip wireless chargers that trap heat overnight.
Use quality chargers and cables from your phone’s manufacturer or trusted brands. Those cheap «fast-charge» kits you find online often deliver inconsistent current, which can cause long-term issues.
Finally, don’t obsess over topping off. It’s perfectly fine to plug in your phone during the day for short bursts. Lithium-ion batteries actually prefer frequent, shallow charges rather than deep, full cycles. You don’t need to keep it between 20% and 80% all the time, but just avoid extremes when possible.
The bottom line
Keeping your phone plugged in overnight or on your desk all day won’t destroy its battery. That’s a leftover myth from a different era of tech. Modern phones are smart enough to protect themselves, and features like Optimized Battery Charging or Battery Protect do most of the heavy lifting for you.
Still, no battery lasts forever. The best way to slow the inevitable is to manage heat, use quality chargers and let your phone’s software do its job. Think of it less as «babying» your battery and more as charging with intention. A few mindful habits today can keep your phone running strong for years.
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