ModRetro
ModRetro is a private retro gaming hardware company that sells FPGA-based premium consoles, including the Chromatic Game Boy Color-compatible handheld and the M64 Nintendo 64 clone console, targeting nostalgia-driven adult gamers, collectors, and retro gaming enthusiasts via direct-to-consumer e-commerce and retail channels.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersIrvine, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What ModRetro does
ModRetro is a privately held retro gaming hardware company founded in 2023 by Palmer Luckey (co-founder of Oculus VR and Anduril Industries) and led by CEO Torin Herndon, a former Oculus and Anduril engineer. The company designs and sells premium FPGA-based gaming consoles that play original cartridges from legacy systems, targeting nostalgia-driven adult gamers, retro gaming collectors, and enthusiast communities. Its product portfolio centers on the Chromatic handheld (launched 2024), a Game Boy Color-compatible portable with magnesium alloy body, Gorilla Glass screen, and IPS LCD display priced from $199.99, and the upcoming M64 home console (shipping July 28, 2026), an FPGA-based Nintendo 64 clone priced at $229.99 that outputs up to 4K over HDMI.
The company's core technology uses AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGAs for hardware-level emulation that replicates original console behavior at the transistor level, providing lower-latency and more authentic gameplay than software-based emulation. ModRetro integrates a modified version of the open-source MiSTer N64 core and embraces an open-source hardware and software model that differentiates from proprietary competitors such as Analogue. The product ecosystem is being extended through first-party original game cartridge releases (e.g., Dragonyhm, Croc 2 25th Anniversary Edition) and a strategic controller partnership with Hyperkin.
ModRetro generates revenue primarily through one-time hardware and accessory sales via direct-to-consumer e-commerce on modretro.com (Shopify) with multi-currency support across 25+ countries, supplemented by retail demo placements at GameStop locations. Pricing tiers span $199.99-$299.99 for hardware, $29.99-$44.99 per cartridge, and accessory pricing from $14.99-$49.99. To date the company has raised approximately $214 million across a 2024 seed ($19M) and three Q1 2026 Series A rounds ($195M at an $805M pre-money valuation), with additional talks reportedly valuing the firm near $1 billion. Customer acquisition is driven by product-led growth, organic tech press coverage (WIRED 8/10, CNET "Best Retro Handheld," Forbes, Rolling Stone), and the high-profile personal brand of founder Palmer Luckey.
ModRetro firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ModRetro
- Legal name
- ModRetro Inc.
- Website
- https://modretro.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ModRetro is a private retro gaming hardware company that sells FPGA-based premium consoles, including the Chromatic Game Boy Color-compatible handheld and the M64 Nintendo 64 clone console, targeting nostalgia-driven adult gamers, collectors, and retro gaming enthusiasts via direct-to-consumer e-commerce and retail channels.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ModRetro industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Retro Gaming Hardware
- NAICS
- Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (3341)
- SIC
- Computer Peripheral Equipment, Nec (3577)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Arcade & Retro Gaming Hardware (Mini Consoles, Arcade Sticks, Cabinets) (HDACANAK)
Keywords
Where ModRetro is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Irvine
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
ModRetro business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Hardware Sales: One-time hardware product sales including the ModRetro Chromatic handheld console ($199.99) and M64 console ($229.99), along with accessories and game cartridges
- Game Cartridge Sales: Sale of original and re-released game cartridges for the Chromatic platform, including titles like Dragonyhm ($44.99), Croc 2 ($44.99), Wicked Plague ($39.99), and others
- Accessories: Sale of accessories including Chromatic Case, Link Cable ($14.99), Mod Kit, Porta Pro headphones ($49.99), and Rechargeable Power Core
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ModRetro Chromatic handheld console - base model |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ModRetro Chromatic with Sapphire display |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | ModRetro M64 console |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Game cartridges |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
ModRetro product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ModRetro designs, manufactures, and sells premium FPGA-based retro gaming hardware, headlined by the Chromatic handheld console (Game Boy Color compatible, launched 2024) and the upcoming M64 home console (Nintendo 64 compatible, shipping July 2026). The company leverages AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGAs to perform hardware-level chip emulation, enabling original cartridges to run on modern displays with low latency, and complements hardware with proprietary game cartridges and accessories.
Product overview
ModRetro is a retro gaming hardware company specializing in premium FPGA-based gaming devices. The product portfolio centers on two core hardware platforms: the Chromatic handheld (launched 2024), a Game Boy Color-inspired portable that plays original GB/GBC cartridges with a modern magnesium-alloy build and IPS LCD display; and the M64 home console (launching July 2026), an AMD FPGA-powered Nintendo 64 clone that runs original N64 cartridges at up to 4K HDMI resolution. ModRetro also produces original game cartridges for the Chromatic platform and offers complementary accessories including cases, cables, and power solutions. The company leverages FPGA technology for hardware-level emulation, differentiating from traditional software emulators.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Chromatic: A premium handheld console reimagining the Game Boy Color with a magnesium alloy body, OLED display, and compatibility with original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges.
- M64
Products and services
- ModRetro Chromatic Handheld Console Premium handheld gaming console for individual consumers that plays original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges on a 2.56-inch IPS LCD display (160x144 resolution) with a magnesium alloy body and Gorilla Glass screen. Designed for retro gaming enthusiasts who want to use existing cartridge collections on durable, modern-feeling hardware.
- ModRetro M64 Console FPGA-based home console for individual consumers that plays original Nintendo 64 cartridges using an AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGA for hardware-level emulation. Supports HDMI output with upscaled resolutions up to 4K, USB-C power, and various controllers. Differentiates from competitors with an open-source MiSTer N64 core implementation.
- ModRetro Chromatic Game Cartridges Physical game cartridges for the Chromatic handheld, including original titles such as Dragonyhm and Chikyū Kaihō Gun ZAS, re-releases such as Croc 2: 25th Anniversary Edition, and other titles priced between $29.99 and $44.99. Designed for Chromatic owners seeking additional or new gameplay content.
- Chromatic Accessories Protective and functional accessories for the Chromatic handheld, including the Chromatic Case (hard shell protection), Link Cable for multiplayer connectivity ($14.99), Mod Kit for device modifications, Rechargeable Power Core (lithium-ion battery), and Porta Pro headphones in multiple colors ($49.99). For Chromatic owners.
Quantifiable outcome
- Price advantage of $70 vs competitors (M64 $199 vs Analogue 3D $270 after tariff-related price increase)
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use ModRetro
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ModRetro technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
ModRetro partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- HyperkincoreHyperkin partnered with ModRetro to produce M64-compatible retro gaming controllers that combine nostalgic designs with modern usability. The collaboration targets both veteran gamers and new players through durable, aesthetically cohesive products that foster brand engagement and collector interest.
- AMDcoreModRetro uses AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGAs in the M64 console for hardware-level chip emulation, enabling authentic Nintendo 64 gameplay on original cartridges with modern connectivity.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
ModRetro competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Analogue: Analogue is the pioneer and most direct competitor in FPGA-based retro gaming hardware, producing the Pocket (GB/GBC compatible), Mega Sg (Genesis), and 3D (N64). Both companies target nostalgia gamers with premium FPGA consoles that play original cartridges, with Analogue using closed-source cores versus ModRetro's open-source approach.
- Hyperkin: Hyperkin manufactures retro gaming accessories and consoles (RetroN, SupaRetroBoy, Pixel) and is also ModRetro's partner for M64-compatible controllers. Both companies serve the nostalgia-gamer market with retro-themed hardware, and the partnership signals overlapping customer bases and complementary product portfolios.
- 8BitDo: 8BitDo produces modern Bluetooth controllers styled after classic consoles (SNES, Genesis, N64) targeting retro gamers and PC players. It competes for the same nostalgia-gamer wallet share as ModRetro's accessories, and both brands emphasize premium build quality and modern connectivity.
Emerging players
- Anbernic: Anbernic is a Chinese manufacturer of budget emulation handhelds (RG35XX, RG405) that compete on price-performance for the same nostalgia-gamer segment as ModRetro's Chromatic. While Anbernic relies on software emulation rather than FPGA, its aggressive pricing and frequent product releases pressure ModRetro's premium positioning.
- Retroid: Retroid produces Android-based handheld gaming PCs (Retroid Pocket 4 Pro, Mini) targeting emulation and indie gaming. It overlaps with ModRetro's Chromatic in addressing the portable retro-gaming use case but competes on price with a software-emulation rather than FPGA approach.
- AYANEO: AYANEO manufactures premium handheld gaming PCs (AYANEO 2S, Kun) that target enthusiast gamers running emulation software. Like ModRetro, AYANEO emphasizes premium build quality and modern displays, though its products use x86 CPUs and software emulation rather than FPGA hardware-level emulation.
- Panic (Playdate): Panic's Playdate is a niche handheld gaming device with a crank and black-and-white display targeting collector enthusiasts and indie game developers. While a different use case, it competes for the same premium-niche-gamer enthusiast segment ModRetro targets and emphasizes premium hardware and curated game libraries.
- Polymega: Polymega is a retro gaming console that uses emulation modules to support multiple classic systems (NES, SNES, Genesis, N64, etc.). It overlaps with ModRetro's multi-platform ambitions but uses software emulation rather than FPGA, positioning at a different price-quality tier.
Broad incumbents
- Nintendo: Nintendo is the original creator of the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Nintendo 64 platforms that ModRetro's products target. Nintendo also sells modern hardware (Switch, Switch OLED) and has launched its own retro offerings (Nintendo Switch Online classic game libraries), creating both an IP risk and indirect competitive overlap for ModRetro.
- Atari: Atari is a legacy gaming brand that has re-entered hardware with products like the Atari VCS and Atari 2600+. While focused on Atari's own back catalog rather than multi-platform retro, it competes in the broader nostalgia-gamer hardware market and represents an incumbent brand attempting similar premium-retro positioning.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
ModRetro social profiles
Digital presenceModRetro financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ModRetro leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
ModRetro funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ModRetro M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ModRetro
What does ModRetro do?
ModRetro designs, manufactures, and sells premium FPGA-based retro gaming hardware, headlined by the Chromatic handheld console (Game Boy Color compatible, launched 2024) and the upcoming M64 home console (Nintendo 64 compatible, shipping July 2026). The company leverages AMD Artix UltraScale+ FPGAs to perform hardware-level chip emulation, enabling original cartridges to run on modern displays with low latency, and complements hardware with proprietary game cartridges and accessories.
Is ModRetro a public or private company?
ModRetro is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was ModRetro founded?
ModRetro was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ModRetro based?
ModRetro is headquartered in Irvine, United States, in the North America region.
How does ModRetro make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are game Cartridge Sales and accessories.
Who are ModRetro's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Analogue, Hyperkin and 8BitDo. Emerging players are Anbernic, Retroid, AYANEO, Panic (Playdate) and Polymega. Broad incumbents are Nintendo and Atari.
Does ModRetro have an API?
No public API is recorded for ModRetro.
What industry is ModRetro in?
ModRetro's product category is Retro Gaming Hardware. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDACANAK, Arcade & Retro Gaming Hardware (Mini Consoles, Arcade Sticks, Cabinets). Its NAICS code is 3341 and its SIC code is 3577.