Leak Shows Four Transparent ModRetro Chromatic Handheld Colors

ModRetro's Chromatic may be preparing to add a distinctly retro set of transparent shells to its lineup. A newly surfaced video shared by yoshitendo on X appears to show four unannounced plastic versions of the Game Boy-compatible handheld together: transparent green, transparent red, transparent purple, and a smoke or clear-looking edition.

The handhelds have not been formally detailed by ModRetro at the time of writing, so the information visible in the video should be treated as unconfirmed. Even so, the footage offers a relatively clear look at the apparent designs, their controls, packaging details, and a possible price point. If the devices do arrive as shown, they could offer a much less expensive route into the Chromatic ecosystem than ModRetro's premium metal handheld.

Four see-through designs appear in the leak

Transparent hardware has long been one of the most recognizable looks in handheld gaming. From the varied Game Boy Color shells of the late 1990s to later special-edition consoles, the appeal is simple: the casing makes the machine's internal components part of its visual identity. The leaked Chromatics lean fully into that style, exposing the circuitry and internal construction beneath colored plastic.

The video appears to show the following four colors:

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• Transparent green
• Transparent red
• Transparent purple
• Smoke or clear

Green had previously been glimpsed briefly in a social-media post from Logan Paul, while other possible new Chromatic finishes had also drawn attention after appearing in marketing imagery. The newly circulated footage is notable because it places all four transparent variants side by side, providing the strongest look yet at the apparent range.

Each color has its own personality. The green model evokes classic translucent handheld designs particularly closely, while the red option makes the internals stand out under a more saturated shell. Purple is paired with contrasting pink-toned controls in the footage, creating one of the bolder combinations. The smoke or clear unit has a more understated look, with the components visible through a darker, neutral casing.

The purple-and-pink color treatment may also be familiar to fans following ModRetro's M64 console releases. The combination appears to match colors used on those systems, potentially giving collectors an easy way to build a coordinated ModRetro setup across hardware generations. That visual overlap has naturally led to speculation about whether the new handhelds could receive some form of compatibility with the M64's Chromatic Passthrough feature in the future. There is no confirmation of such functionality at present.

Core Chromatic functionality appears unchanged

While the exterior material appears to be different from the metal-bodied Chromatic, the leaked devices seem to retain the basic form factor and control arrangement of the existing handheld. The face buttons, directional pad, screen placement, and overall proportions look consistent with the original design.

The video also indicates that the transparent systems would continue to support the same core power options as the established Chromatic. They can apparently run on included AA batteries or with ModRetro's Power Core accessory. That flexibility is a meaningful part of the platform's retro-minded appeal: players can use readily available batteries when necessary, while those who prefer a rechargeable solution can opt for the Power Core.

Game compatibility also appears unchanged. The new models are shown as supporting ModRetro Chromatic releases as well as original Game Boy games. For a handheld focused on preserving the feel of cartridge-based gaming, that continued support is central. It means a prospective buyer would not be limited to newly produced software and could instead use a personal library of older Game Boy cartridges alongside current Chromatic titles.

That compatibility makes the potential devices relevant to more than just collectors chasing a new colorway. Transparent handhelds tend to appeal strongly as display pieces, but a plastic Chromatic at a more approachable price could also become a practical everyday unit for playing original cartridges. Games such as Dragonyhm, along with the broader Game Boy library, would be natural candidates for the hardware if the shown specifications prove accurate.

Gorilla Glass reportedly replaces sapphire

The most significant reported material difference concerns the screen covering. The leak states that the transparent Chromatics use Gorilla Glass rather than Sapphire Glass. This would place them in line with the less expensive second-generation versions of the original Chromatic rather than the higher-end metal model.

Sapphire glass is typically positioned as a premium material because of its resistance to scratches, while Gorilla Glass is a widely used toughened glass solution found across consumer electronics. The apparent move does not suggest that the transparent devices are changing their fundamental purpose or cartridge support; instead, it seems to be one of the compromises that helps lower the cost.

For buyers, the difference may matter depending on how the handheld will be used. People looking for the most premium construction may still prefer a metal Chromatic with sapphire glass. Those who primarily want the system's game support, controls, battery flexibility, and display experience could find the use of Gorilla Glass a reasonable trade-off, especially if the reported price is close to reality.

The plastic construction itself is also likely to divide opinion in a productive way. Metal hardware has obvious luxury appeal, but transparent plastic is not simply a budget substitute in the retro space. It is a design language with its own history and fan base. For some players, being able to see the hardware inside could be more desirable than the heft and finish of an aluminum shell.

A possible price of ¥26,500 would change the comparison

The leaked information lists a price of ¥26,500. Based on the conversion cited alongside the footage, that is roughly $168 or £127, though final regional pricing, taxes, shipping, and exchange-rate changes could make real-world costs differ substantially. ModRetro has not confirmed that figure, so it should not be considered final.

If accurate, the price would represent a substantial reduction compared with the $299/$277 metal Chromatic. It would also put the transparent model below the standard $239 price of Analogue Pocket hardware. The comparison is not entirely like for like, since the two handhelds have different approaches and feature sets, but price remains a major factor for anyone considering dedicated hardware for Game Boy cartridges.

The potential value proposition is clear: a new-purpose-built handheld that plays original Game Boy games and Chromatic software, accepts either AA batteries or the Power Core, and arrives in four visually distinctive translucent designs. A price under the metal Chromatic could broaden the audience beyond enthusiasts willing to pay for premium materials.

At the same time, it is worth waiting for formal details before drawing conclusions. The leak does not establish whether pricing will vary by territory, whether stock will be limited, what accessories may be included beyond the stated AA batteries, or whether there will be bundle options. It also does not provide a complete technical specification sheet.

Tetris appears to be included

One additional detail visible in the leaked material is the apparent inclusion of Tetris with each handheld. That would be an especially fitting pack-in for a Game Boy-compatible system. The original handheld's association with Tetris remains one of the defining stories in video game history, and including it would immediately give new owners a familiar game to test on the device.

The footage further suggests that two players could connect systems with a link cable, recreating the local multiplayer experience that made portable puzzle matches such a memorable part of the original Game Boy era. This is another detail awaiting official confirmation, but it aligns with the Chromatic's broader effort to retain the physical, social aspects of classic handheld gaming.

Link-cable support is more than a nostalgic novelty. In an era of digital storefronts and online matchmaking, direct device-to-device play offers a different kind of interaction: two people sharing a game in the same room, connected by hardware rather than a server. For retro players, that tactile connection is part of the point.

Release timing remains unknown

Despite the detailed appearance of the leaked units, there is currently no confirmed release date for the transparent Chromatic range. There is also no official word on broader specifications, regional availability, pre-order plans, or whether all four colors will be released at the same time.

Until ModRetro makes an announcement, the safest reading is that these devices are plausible upcoming products rather than finalized retail releases. Colors, materials, pricing, pack-in software, and feature details can all change before launch.

Still, the leak paints an appealing picture for fans of cartridge-based handheld gaming. Transparent shells, Game Boy compatibility, optional rechargeable power, classic AA support, and a potentially lower entry price combine into a package that could be especially attractive to players who want a modern-built device with a very old-school sensibility.

For now, the green, red, purple, and smoke/clear Chromatics remain unofficially revealed. But if the shown hardware reaches retail in this form, ModRetro could soon have one of the most visually playful takes on a Game Boy-compatible handheld yet.