ModRetro
Electronics company based in California
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ModRetro is an American consumer electronics company founded by Palmer Luckey and Torin Herndon.[1] It is best known for the Chromatic, a retro handheld console[2][3], and the M64, a recreation of the Nintendo 64.[4][5]
Logo used since 2023 | |
 Chromatic, the company's flagship console | |
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Founders |
|
| Headquarters | United States |
Key people | Torin Herndon (CEO) |
| Products | Chromatic, M64 |
| Website | https://modretro.com |
It also operates an independent game studio, responsible for first-party development and publishing of external titles.
History
Online forum (2009-present)
In 2009, Palmer Luckey and several others founded internet forum ModRetro, for the discussion of retro consoles and hardware modding. The community became notable for the practice of "portablization", modifying home consoles to convert them to handheld game consoles.
As of 2026, the community still exists, however the website is largely inactive.[‡ 1]
Consumer electronics (2023-present)
In 2023, Palmer Luckey and Torin Herndon re-established ModRetro as a hardware company.[‡ 2]
Torin Herndon previously worked as an engineer at Oculus and Anduril, companies also founded by Palmer Luckey. Following the revival of ModRetro as a hardware company, Herndon joined Luckey as a co-founder and helped oversee the development of the Chromatic handheld and the company's expansion into game publishing and hardware manufacturing.[6][7]
In June 2024, ModRetro announced the Chromatic, a handheld console inspired by the Game Boy Color.[‡ 3] The system uses open-source components from the MiSTer FPGA project.[8]
In July 2025, ModRetro permanently restocked the Chromatic after the initial First Edition sold out. The relaunch introduced additional color variants, optional Gorilla Glass models, new accessories, and additional game releases.[9]
The permanent restock introduced seven standard color variants: Cloud, Midnight, Wave, Inferno, Bubblegum, Volt, and Leaf.[10]
In 2025, ModRetro announced the M64, an FPGA-based recreation of the Nintendo 64. The console is planned for release in 2026.[11]
Reception
In March 2026, multiple publications reported that ModRetro was seeking new funding at a valuation of approximately $1 billion.[12][13]
ModRetro's hardware has been covered by several media outlets, including The Verge, Vice, Wired, Popular Mechanics, and GamesRadar+.[14][15][16]
In 2025, ModRetro participated in several promotional collaborations with other companies and media personalities. One of the most widely reported events was a partnership with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and GameStop to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Goodyear Blimp. The event featured a Pokémon battle played on ModRetro Chromatic handhelds aboard the blimp and included participation from Palmer Luckey and YouTuber Casey Neistat.[17][18]
The collaboration also included a limited-edition Chromatic giveaway produced jointly by ModRetro and Goodyear.[19]
Games and publishing
ModRetro publishes new titles and reissues games in physical cartridge format.[‡ 4]
| Platform | Category | Title | Year | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chromatic[a] | Original | Dragonyhm | 2024 | [20] |
| Patchy Matchy | 2024 | [20] | ||
| In The Dark 2 | 2024 | [20] | ||
| Traumatarium Penitent | 2025 | [20] | ||
| Hermano | 2025 | [21] | ||
| Chantey | 2025 | [22] | ||
| Gravitorque DX | 2025 | [23] | ||
| Wicked Plague | 2025 | [23] | ||
| Self Simulated | 2025 | [23] | ||
| First Contact Protocol | 2025 | [23] | ||
| Tales of Monsterland DX | 2025 | [‡ 5] | ||
| Buck and the Cursed Cartridge | 2025 | [‡ 6] | ||
| Re-release | Toki Tori - Ultimate Edition | 2024 | [‡ 7] | |
| Rayman | 2024 | [‡ 8] | ||
| Croc: 25th Anniversary Edition | 2024 | [‡ 9] | ||
| Baby T-Rex | 2025 | [24] | ||
| Project S-11 | 2025 | [‡ 10] | ||
| Sabrina: The Animated Series - Zapped! | 2025 | [23] | ||
| Atari '90s Rewind Collection | 2025 | [‡ 11] | ||
| Croc 2: 25th Anniversary Edition | 2026 | [‡ 12] | ||
| Chikyū Kaihō Gun ZAS | 2026 | [25] |
M64
The ModRetro M64 is an FPGA-based home console designed to play Nintendo 64 cartridges on modern displays.[26] It will be released on July 28th, 2026.[27]
The console includes four original-style controller ports, HDMI output, three USB-C ports, and a microSD card slot.[28]
According to ModRetro, the M64 features wireless OTA updates, fanless cooling, and support for 4K output.[‡ 13]
Notes
- Compatible with Game Boy Color systems.