A newly circulated video appears to offer the clearest look yet at four transparent plastic versions of ModRetro’s Chromatic handheld. The apparent line-up includes transparent green, red, purple, and smoke/clear shells, placing the device’s internal components front and centre in the classic see-through style that handheld fans tend to either adore or immediately start inspecting for stray dust.

The important word is appears. These models have not been accompanied by confirmed release timing, a complete specification sheet, or formal pricing details. Still, the material shown aligns with earlier glimpses of a green unit and provides a reasonably detailed picture of what these potential Chromatic variants may offer.

Four transparent shells, familiar Chromatic layout

The video shows the new systems retaining the same general proportions and control layout as the existing Chromatic. That matters for anyone who values the handheld’s current form factor: this looks to be a colour-and-material variation rather than a redesigned machine with rearranged buttons or a new shape.

Each of the four finishes makes the hardware inside visible through the casing. The green option had previously surfaced briefly, while the wider footage brings red, purple, and a darker smoke/clear treatment into view alongside it. The purple model is particularly striking because it uses contrasting pink and purple exterior elements. Those colours also resemble the palette used on recently released M64 consoles, suggesting a coordinated visual direction across ModRetro hardware—though any shared functionality should not be assumed from matching colours alone.

Transparent consumer electronics have an uncomplicated appeal: the shell turns the usual hidden machinery into part of the object’s design. In this case, it lets owners see the boards, connectors, and other components that ordinarily sit behind an opaque plastic panel. It is a cosmetic choice, not evidence of altered performance, but it changes the personality of the handheld considerably.

What the leak says about compatibility and power

The footage indicates that these Chromatics would retain the central practical features associated with the original device. They are said to play both ModRetro Chromatic games and original Game Boy games. For retro players, that compatibility is the point of a device like this: it is intended to use physical cartridges rather than merely evoke the look of an older handheld.

The units are also shown as supporting two power options:

  • AA batteries, which are said to be included.
  • Power Core, an alternative power option referenced in the video.

AA support has a practical advantage beyond nostalgia. Standard batteries are easy to replace and can be useful when a rechargeable option is not available or charged. Conversely, a Power Core offers a different route for users who prefer a dedicated power accessory. The leak does not provide further details on battery life, charging behaviour, or whether the Power Core is included, so prospective buyers should avoid treating the video as an answer to those questions.

The report also indicates that Tetris may ship with every handheld. If that proves accurate, it gives a new owner an immediate cartridge-ready game and points toward a particularly period-appropriate use of the system’s link-cable capability. A link cable is the physical connector used to link compatible handhelds for multiplayer functions. In Tetris terms, that means the familiar prospect of two players, two machines, and an avoidable argument over who was definitely winning before the connection came loose.

Gorilla Glass is the key reported material change

The most meaningful reported hardware distinction concerns the screen cover. Rather than sapphire glass, the transparent systems are said to use Gorilla Glass, the same material identified with less expensive second-generation variants of the original Chromatic.

In simple terms, the glass is the transparent protective layer over the display, not necessarily a statement about the display panel underneath. Sapphire glass and Gorilla Glass are both used as protective materials, but the leak specifically frames Gorilla Glass as the cost-conscious choice relative to sapphire. That distinction helps explain why a transparent plastic model could potentially arrive at a substantially lower price than the metal-bodied Chromatic.

There is no reason to extrapolate beyond that. The footage does not establish changes to the screen itself, internal hardware, game compatibility beyond what is stated, or durability testing. It only indicates a different cover-glass material and a plastic transparent casing in place of the original metal construction.

A reported ¥26,500 price would shift the proposition

The video reportedly lists a price of ¥26,500, described as approximately $168 / £127. As with the hardware details, that figure should be treated as unconfirmed until ModRetro publishes regional pricing and purchase information. Currency conversions move over time, while taxes, shipping, accessories, and regional retail arrangements can alter what buyers actually pay.

Even so, the reported number is notable next to the cited $299 / $277 price of the original metal Chromatic. If the ¥26,500 figure is accurate and translates broadly as suggested, these transparent models would represent a much lower entry point into the Chromatic ecosystem while keeping the cartridge support and overall layout shown in the leak.

That would make the choice less about whether transparent plastic is inherently better than metal and more about priorities. A metal chassis and sapphire glass can be premium material draws. A transparent plastic shell, by contrast, has its own visual appeal and may offer a way into the platform for players who do not want to pay for the more upscale construction. Neither approach automatically suits every buyer; the relevant question is which trade-off matters more: materials, appearance, or the apparent gap in price.

What remains unknown

For all the detail in the footage, several essentials remain unresolved. There is currently no confirmed release date, no complete technical rundown, and no official clarification of pricing by region. The status of the reported included Tetris cartridge, Power Core availability, and any package differences also needs confirmation.

There is likewise no confirmed word on Chromatic Passthrough support with M64 hardware. The palette overlap between the purple-and-pink Chromatic and the M64 consoles may tempt enthusiasts to read more into the pairing, but matching colours are not a feature announcement. Until an update or compatibility statement is published, passthrough remains speculation rather than a promised capability.

Retro handheld news often arrives in fragments—first a colour glimpse, then a video, then a price that may or may not travel cleanly across markets. The useful takeaway here is narrower: four transparent Chromatic designs have surfaced, and the material shown points toward a familiar Chromatic experience with plastic shells, Gorilla Glass, AA battery support, Power Core compatibility, Game Boy cartridge support, and a potentially lower price tier.

For players with a soft spot for physical cartridges, screen-protected handhelds, and translucent shells that make every internal component feel like part of the attraction, this is a promising development rather than a complete product reveal. While waiting for firm details, retro fans can also keep an eye on projects such as Shadows of Belial on ZX Spectrum 128K, another reminder that older formats continue to attract fresh software and hardware attention.