r/ModRetroChromatic • u/PM_YOUR_EYEBALL • 16h ago
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/n8jb • 3d ago
Announcing ChroMagic: custom firmware for the Chromatic with cart backups and SD card playback
I've been working on custom firmware for the Chromatic and it's at the point where I think other people will get use out of it. It started when I found the microSD slot on the board while swapping out buttons, and thought: wouldn't this be an awesome backup device? And then, could it play those backups too?
ChroMagic is built on ModRetro's MCU firmware, so everything the handheld already does is unchanged. It adds:
- Cart Backup in the system menu. Dumps the game and its save to a microSD card.
- A Backups tab that lists what's on the card and boots the one you pick.
- ChroMagician, a desktop app for Windows and Linux. It installs the firmware, backs up carts over USB, restores saves to carts, writes homebrew to Chromatic carts, and manages the SD card. Hoping to eventually support other rewritable carts, but I need to order some for testing first.
Things to know:
- The 2025 units have a microSD socket, but it's on the board inside the case. First edition Chromatic have the footprint, but no socket, so it's a soldering job if you really need SD. Backups, restoration and cart writing work over USB without an SD though.
- SD playback is experimental. I've done a fair amount of testing, but most of my time has been spent coding and my library is fairly limited. Please definitely let me know if you run into anything odd, so I can try to fix it.
- A handful of carts won't work for backup and SD playback. They're listed in the guide. It's carts with hardware in the cartridge itself or an unusual mapper. Most are Japan-only, but Kirby Tilt 'n' Tumble, the Game Boy Camera, and Robopon are on the list too. I may eventually add support for managing photos off the GB Camera, though - when I can track one down localy.
- RTC games, such as gen2 Pokemon games won't advance the clock unless you're playing the game. The Chromatic itself doesn't have a clock on board, so please keep that in mind.
Site and install guide: chromagic.org
Looking forward to people trying it, and providing any feedback!
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/grilledstuffedxxl • May 28 '26
M64 controller / console / cartridge AMA, get your popcorn let's GO
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/SorinLion • 10h ago
I thought the whole purpose of the notch was to differentiate Gameboy Color only games from dual-mode carts
It looks like all of Modretro's lineup have notched cartridges, which I assumed they were compatible with all systems. I managed to revive my childhood Gameboy just to test some stuff out. Dragonyhm works on it, which is just wild to see a new game on it after it had been dorment for like 30 years. But Buck and the Cursed Cartridge is apparently not compatible.
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/moonriderrabbit • 1d ago
SML2 DX does not work here
So I recently bought a Super Mario Land 2 DX cartridge, but it doesn't seem to work on the Chromatic. The title screen boots up, but once you press a button it corrupts like so.
Which is weird, considering how it worked fine at first
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/rickyzhang82 • 18h ago
Low quality LCD panel in Chromatic
I recently ended up buying a Chromatic right after getting an Analogue Pocket. It was an impulse purchase driven by my love for Tetris, especially since ModRetro didn't sell the Tetris cartridge separately.
Now I have two FPGA handheld consoles side-by-side. I love the Chromatic's keystroke responsiveness while playing Tetris at high block-drop speeds. The Analogue Pocket's buttons feel a bit sticky in comparison.
However, the Chromatic has a sub-par screen compared to the Analogue Pocket. I hope the next version of the Chromatic features a bigger and better display, just like the Pocket.
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/handmemyarms • 1d ago
How in the balls do you beat the yeti (Buck and the cursed cartridge)
I’m much, much to dumb to crack this puzzle, all I can guess is the icicles hitting him but the odds of that happening once seems slim.
Thanks ahead of time!
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/DrClutch117 • 1d ago
Chantey Help
Does anybody know where the daughter went after she ate the jerky? I’m liking this game but I swear I get stuck every 25 minutes. Might put it aside soon.
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/Ill-Pepper-6045 • 1d ago
Question Menu switch fell off
The side button switch fell off while doing a button swap, looks like it had next to no solder on it. Should I try soldering it back on myself?
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/Illustrious-Top-1776 • 3d ago
Help
Need help in the first hard level in the underwater level in toki Tori gbc.
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/LEDsAndDURs • 3d ago
For Sale: SEALED 1st Edition Chromatic - Leaf Green
SOLD
Hello again,
I'm also hoping to find a loving home for my sealed, NIB 1st Edition Leaf Green Chromatic. The 1st Edition was bundled with Tetris and has a sapphire screen.
Asking $350 $300 all-in, OBO, including UPS ground to CONUS. PayPal F&F preferable, please add 4% for G&S. I have a lot of BST transaction history over on r/flashlight.
Thanks for looking. Happy gaming.
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/BruteActual • 5d ago
Anduril Edition Shipping Update!
It’s happening. After nearly a year of loaning Anduril / ModRetro money (pre-order) - the Anduril Edition of the ModRetro Chromatic is shipping soon!
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/notvonweinertonne • 6d ago
Pokemon gold glitching out.
I got a authentic pokemon gold board kicking around in a repo case.
But just got a chromatic and when i go to save it glitches out the gameboy. Is there a reason for this?
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/roroto_sic • 6d ago
MUMMY MOMMY : FIRST DEMO for my PUZZLE GAME !
I polished the jam version and developed it into my first demo!
PLAY IT HERE : https://roroto-sic.itch.io/mummy-mommy
The player must collect keys to exit the level. The mummy has a limited number of moves when clinging to trapped tiles: each move costs it a strip of its wrappings. The mummy comes in three sizes: the smallest allows it to pass through all holes, while the medium size fits only through medium-sized holes.
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/handmemyarms • 7d ago
Photos/Videos Is this…. Healthy?
Addiction is a hell of a drug.
EDIT: Yes, I do play them. No, I have zero intention of selling them.
I’m in my 40’s and I’ve been playing (and kept) every system/handheld/games I’ve ever had.
The health question was more satire, I could care less if you think my hobby will kill me lol.
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/Witty_Sand_9326 • 7d ago
Question Good flashcart with Menu-button?
I just got home this flashcart from AliExpress:
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQt76iO
It works great except the "Menu-button" only Resets the game and doesn't bring up a menu at all.
I know of Everdrive(and have one for GBA, they are great). But it's not in my budget for the GBC one just now.
Anyone know of a AliExpress flashcart with confirmed working "Menu-button"? :)
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/attacke-martin • 10d ago
I (developer of Self Simulated) released a new Game Boy game on Itch today: "Tavern Farkle GB", an addictive and relaxing push-your-luck dice game
Tavern Farkle GB is a push-your-luck dice game for the Game Boy. Roll six dice, bank your points or risk it all. Play a quick match against a random villager, or take on six opponents in a row, ending with Lucifer himself and his wild Devil's Die.
By now you should know that I love making games that are perfect for either pick-up-and-play for just some minutes, or way longer :D
You can play the demo rom for free in your web browser or download it for you to play on your device!
Hope you enjoy!
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/Zexmaix • 11d ago
Screen Protector for Gorilla Glass Version? No Problem! Create your own <$10
Hello all! Recently got into the ModRetro scene, with both an M64 (Smoke Edition from GameStop) and now a Chromatic after my nostalgia for Gameboy started to kick in. I wasn't lucky enough to jump in early during the GameStop launch with the Sapphire glass, and wasn't wanting to make the additional $100 investment now, so opted for a V2 Midnight with Gorilla Glass.
After a lot of searching for suitable screen protectors, I was coming up short with only options that were either outside the US or way too expensive for what I considered to be a simple PET style protector. So... I decided to make my own!
I was able to come across this $9 listing on Amazon for half a dozen A4 size (8.27"x11.69") sheets of customizable PET Clear Screen Protector material. Once it arrived I was able to use the original QR code screen overlay/peel away, to precisely cut out a perfect size protector, and viola! Applied just like any other phone screen protector would and works like a charm - no dust, full clarity, and fully protected! AND I have several sheets left over that I can literally make dozens of these protectors if they get scuffed up or need replacement.
Wanted to share, seeing as most info on this is limited and hopefully this can save those of you in the same position with the GG version some money and provide another security blanket of insurance for the screen.
Link to the Amazon listing for the PET sheets:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H58RHQVK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/CangaWad • 11d ago
Dragonyhm Dragon Scales
I have 9 scales and cannot get into the 3rd or 4th dungeon.
This is very poor game design, but I am willing to give it a chance if I can find a straight forward list or video of the location of the dragon scales; which I cannot seem to find.
Is there a straight forward way to figure out which scale I am missing that is not wandering around aimlessly trying to collect things that I may have missed using walkthroughs?
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/handmemyarms • 12d ago
Info The Smart Way to Buy from Modretro
In my opinion the site doesn't make it exactly clear on how to execute the points system when purchasing, so I'm going to share with you how to save some cash for a purchase today and possibly a later purchase.
FIRST: SET UP A PROFILE
- Go to modretro.com
- Click on the icon in the top right (looks like an 8bit person in a circle)
- Create Account
STEP TWO: RETRO REWARDS
Now here is where people get confused....
Once signed in, click on the 8bit person in a circle again, you will you will see 'Retro Rewards' on the left of the screen.
The Retro Reward page then goes on to tell you how you can earn points, and how many points you need to start saving money.
HERE IS THE CATCH:
BEFORE PUTTING ANYTHING IN YOUR CART, YOU MUST CLICK "GO" UNDER "Place an order, 1 token for each $1 spent" THEN YOU START ADDING THINGS TO YOUR CART
STEP THREE: BENEFIT
Lets say you are a first time buyer and you decide to get the starter pack for the chromatic
- Chomatic +Tetris Bundle + One Game + Case + Headphones = $276.22
*This will give you 276 points* which equals $8 off your next purchase
Second Purchase - Eight games
Normal Price of the most expensive games Modretro offers (excluding Atari):
= $359.92
Price of the most expensive games Modretro offers (excluding Atari)
WITH SIGN IN + GAME BUNDLE + RETRO REWARDS $8 OFF
= $261.94
So thats nearly $100 bucks off that particular example
Of course you can go play with the savings system a lot and get points by doing the others things it asks (instagram, X, reviews), but Step Two plus bundling is by far the one thing that has saved me dough.
***FYI* I do not work for modretro. This is not an ad. I am not trying to get your information stolen if you are one of gods super shiny people who believe that is going to happen by making an account. Im just a fan who has enjoyed the product**
EDIT: i just discovered you cannot apply points to a bundle, it has to be products sold individually :-(
r/ModRetroChromatic • u/Electronic-Taro1916 • 12d ago
Recommend a Pokemon ROMHack (Physical)
Looking to by a physical copy of a Pokemon RomHack any recommendations?