ModRetro Collaborates With A Defense Contractor Because... Why Not?

It was, perhaps, inevitable. When you have one foot in the world of autonomous attack drones and the other in the cosy, pixelated past of the Game Boy, the wires are bound to cross eventually. Palmer Luckey, the wunderkind behind Oculus VR and now the founder of defense technology firm Anduril Industries, has released a limited edition of his ModRetro Chromatic handheld. And yes, it is branded by his weapons company.

The Anduril Chromatic + Porta Pro Bundle is exactly what it says on the tin: a high-end FPGA clone of the Game Boy Color, dressed up in the livery of the military-industrial complex.

Retailing at a hefty $349.99, this is not a toy for the faint of wallet. The standard Chromatic’s magnesium alloy shell has been treated with a "hardcoat anodized" finish (the page also mentions Cerakote, a finish usually found on firearms to prevent corrosion in the field). The screws are coated in Titanium Nitride, and the screen is protected by sapphire crystal, presumably so you can play Tetris in the middle of a shrapnel storm without scratching the display.

The aesthetic is undeniably severe. It trades the cheery "Funtastic" translucency of the 90s for a matte, tactical black that screams "special ops." It also features custom laser etching on every interaction point, because nothing says "tactile feedback" like a grip texture designed for an assault rifle.

Bundled with the console is a pair of Koss Porta Pro headphones, similarly given the tactical treatment. The Porta Pro is an audio icon in its own right—a lightweight, open-back design that has remained virtually unchanged since 1984. Here, it has been stripped of its usual retro charm and dipped in the same stealthy palette, complete with a custom microphone for those who need to coordinate multiplayer sessions with military precision.

It is a bizarre, fascinating product. On one hand, the specs are undeniably impressive: pixel-perfect 160x144 resolution, FPGA accuracy, and a build quality that could likely survive a drop from a drone. On the other hand, there is something delightfully absurd about playing Pokémon Crystal on a device branded by a company that builds autonomous air vehicles.

For those who find the standard Chromatic a bit too whimsical, or who simply need their retro gaming hardware to match their tactical vest, pre-orders are open now. Just be prepared to wait until Summer 2026 for shipping.

You can view the full specs and secure a unit at the link below.

View the Anduril Bundle at ModRetro

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