Despite a few niggles, the Modretro Chromatic gaming handheld is one of my favourite gaming devices of all time.

With the recent resurgence of handheld gaming consoles, it's no surprise that retro gaming is making a comeback, too. If you're on the hunt for a stylish and durable device to play through your Game Boy collection, then the Chromatic gaming handheld by Mod Retro is a fantastic option. Compatible with Game Boy, Game Boy Colour, and Modretro's Chromatic cartridges, it allows you to play through your old titles and reimagined games.

The Chromatic gaming handheld is a perfect option for those who want a gorgeous device which is comfortable to play on for hours. Packed with additional features, including the ability to output video to your for capture or streaming, and filter options to make your gameplay look as crisp or old-school as you like, the Chromatic is the perfect addition to your handheld collection.

Coming in at £160 / $199 / AU$318 and available to purchase from the , the Chromatic gaming handheld has a hefty price tag. However, alternatives on the market, such as the , are consistently sold out and cost slightly more even when in stock at £175 / $219.99 / AU$350 (with UK and AUS pricing being a rough conversion).

Resembling the standard Game Boy, the Chromatic features a super nostalgic design and comes in various colour options. I picked up the Bubblegum option, which features a baby pink shell with magenta buttons and accents. The casing itself is built from a magnesium alloy shell rather than plastic, which gives it a premium feel but adds a slight amount of heft to the device. However, even after a few drops and bumps here and there (sorry!), the chassis remains in practically perfect condition, meaning you don't have to worry about chucking your Chromatic in your backpack.

The device's face features the typical D-pad, A and B, and the Start and Select buttons. This is paired with a 160x144 pixel IPS backlit and sunlight-readable display that allows you to play in any environment. I was stunned at how gorgeous it looked, even when not at full brightness. Made from scratch-resistant material, the screen is super durable again, and even through all of my clumsiness, it doesn't have a single imperfection.

The Chromatic uses batteries in the same fashion as the Game Boy. Three AA batteries are included in the box; however, you can also pick up a custom lithium battery pack to make the handheld rechargeable via USB-C. If you're a retro gamer, you'll know exactly where to find one of these. If you don't have spare batteries, you can also use the device plugged in.

For those looking to capture footage or stream, you can also plug your Chromatic straight into your PC and get a video output. This was pretty seamless, and I didn't encounter any lag while giving it a go. It's a great way for streamers to share their favourite retro games with viewers.

Using the Chromatic was an amazingly pleasant experience. I'll admit, the free copy of Tetris that came with the device almost consumed me as I sat and constantly tried to beat my own high score over and over. One thing I did notice while playing is that I often found myself fat-fingering the D-pad. While trying to hit the left button, I'd hit the up one instead and send my Tetris piece barreling down in the wrong place. The buttons on the Chromatic are quite sensitive.

Another thing worth noting is that sometimes the device wouldn't recognise the cartridge I was putting in the first time. I'd have to remove it and put it in again for it to appear on screen. While this didn't really affect my usage once I was in the game, it was a little frustrating at times.

Otherwise, the Chromatic was an absolute joy to use. I genuinely couldn't ask for a better retro cartridge gaming handheld. The battery life was great, I would say I got roughly 20 hours of usage from one set of batteries and of course swapping out the batteries is simple enough anyway.

I was somewhat hesitant about the comfort of the device at first glance. Of course, modern-day handhelds like the Steam Deck are built with so much consideration for ergonomics, which wasn't the case with the original Game Boy. As the Chromatic, of course, follows suit of the Game Boy, I thought it might be somewhat uncomfortable to use for hours on end, but as I entered my 100th Tetris game in a row, I was proven wrong. I could hold and use the device for a long time without any worry; it was super comfortable and lightweight.

All in all, I have loved using the Modretro Chromatic. Being able to play old classics and titles reimagined on Chromatic cartridges on the handheld is a great experience. As well as being comfortable to use and the device itself being durable, so you can take it anywhere without worrying about scratches or bumps, you also get a gorgeous device, which you could easily put on display. Right now, I'm torn between using the Chromatic every day and mounting it on my wall!

While I had a few niggles with the Modretro Chromatic, such as sensitive buttons and some cartridges not being recognised straight away, these were easy to see past, considering how perfect the device felt otherwise.

Score: 5/5