TL;DR
OpenAI began selling the ModRetro Chromatic: Codex Edition on November 9 for $200, pairing a transparent retro handheld with a programmable cartridge and a Codex-assisted game-making workflow. On November 10, the Supply Co. page said “Restock soon” and listed November 19 as the expected restock date; OpenAI says dates may change.
OpenAI began selling the $200 ModRetro Chromatic: Codex Edition on November 9, pairing a transparent retro handheld with a programmable cartridge for games made using its Codex coding agent. The Supply Co. product page showed “Restock soon” on November 10 and listed November 19 as the expected restock date, while warning that dates may change.
Get business pricing on office and shipping supplies
- Business-only prices and quantity discounts
- Tax-exempt purchasing
- Multiple users, one account, clear invoices
The package includes a Codex Cartridge and three AA batteries. Supply Co. lists a 2.56-inch, 160-by-144-pixel backlit IPS display, Gorilla Glass, PBT buttons, a speaker and a headphone jack. The handheld plays Game Boy, Game Boy Color and Chromatic cartridges. OpenAI says the edition ships to the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the United Kingdom and the European Union.
OpenAI presents the cartridge as the end point of a creation workflow. Users describe a game, add the ModRetro Chromatic plugin in Codex, and refine the result in GB Studio, a visual editor for Game Boy games. They can export a ROM, test it in a browser emulator or stream it from a computer to the handheld, then write it to the cartridge to play on the device.
ModRetro’s quickstart guide says setup requires updating the handheld firmware, entering the activation code supplied with the edition, installing Codex and adding the plugin. The plugin includes “Wrecklight,” an example game users can remix. OpenAI’s developer post demonstrates prompts for drawing sprite sheets, editing collision maps and running a game in an emulator. The company warns that writing a new ROM erases the cartridge’s existing game and can erase save data; its installer does not back up the cartridge.
Make a game with Codex Play it on Chromatic
The $200 Codex Edition pairs a retro handheld with a programmable cartridge and a workflow for making and testing games.
From prompt to handheld
Codex helps create a game; GB Studio can help refine it before it reaches the cartridge.
Use Codex with the ModRetro Chromatic plugin to build and revise game elements.
Edit in GB Studio, then export the game as a ROM.
Try the ROM in a browser emulator or stream it to the handheld.
Write the ROM to the Codex Cartridge to play on the device.
What comes in the box
Chromatic
Transparent retro hardware with a backlit display, buttons, speaker and headphone jack.
Codex Cartridge
Programmable cartridge for games made with the Codex-assisted workflow.
Three AA batteries
The package also includes three batteries.
Before you write a ROM
Getting started
Owners need to set up the handheld and Codex before making a game.
- Update the handheld firmware.
- Enter the activation code supplied with the edition.
- Install Codex and add the ModRetro Chromatic plugin.
- Remix the included Wrecklight example or start a game idea.
A Coding Agent Meets Handheld Gaming
The device gives Codex a tangible use case: a prompt can lead to a game that runs on dedicated hardware, rather than ending with code on a computer screen. That may interest retro-game fans and developers curious about how an AI coding agent can support a small, playable project. The product page describes the intended process, but it does not establish how well Codex-generated games perform or how much technical editing users will need.
The edition also joins two products with different price points. On November 10, ModRetro’s store listed a transparent Chromatic bundled with Tetris for $149.99, while other Chromatic-and-Tetris bundles started at $199.99. Supply Co. lists the Codex Edition at $200 with a programmable cartridge and does not mention Tetris in the box. The comparison is limited to those store listings and does not establish equivalent bundles or features.
For buyers, practical terms matter alongside the development pitch. OpenAI says non-defective items cannot be returned, while warranty and support are handled by ModRetro. The extra Codex Cartridge costs $50 and the carrying case costs $35, according to Supply Co.
Popular right now
De'Longhi Stilosa Compact Manual Espresso Machine with Milk Frother
Dyson V8 Cyclone Cordless Vacuum
KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, Almond Cream
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
From DevDay Demo to Store
OpenAI’s Supply Co. page says the Codex Edition was first introduced as a DevDay exclusive and calls it a “standout favorite.” The supplied account says ModRetro announced the collaboration on X on September 29, 2026, the date of OpenAI’s developer conference. OpenAI later described the retail version as “back with a new look,” and a developer forum post introduced the sale with “By popular demand.”
Supply Co. began as a small merchandise line for employees, according to OpenAI’s explanation cited in the source material. The Chromatic: Codex Edition extends that store into a hardware offer, while relying on ModRetro for the handheld, cartridge support and warranty. OpenAI’s site also lists 13 Codex-made Chromatic games that can be played in a browser or downloaded as ROMs.
Restock and Sales Figures
OpenAI has not disclosed how many units were available, how many sold, or whether the November 19 restock date will hold. The company says restock dates can change. The supplied material also does not report independent testing of the Codex workflow, the quality of generated games, or how much manual work is needed to complete them.
The extra cartridge’s activation code unlocks Chromatic Developer-Mode, which OpenAI says is limited to two devices and exclusive to the Codex Edition. The source material does not clarify how device limits are enforced or what happens if a user replaces a device. Buyers should also note the stated no-return policy for non-defective items and that ModRetro, rather than OpenAI, handles warranty and support.
The November Restock
The next listed milestone is the November 19 restock on Supply Co., subject to change. Prospective buyers can check the product page for availability and shipping eligibility. The source material does not specify how many units the restock will include or whether OpenAI will offer further sales.
For owners, the next steps are to update the handheld, activate Developer-Mode, install Codex and its ModRetro plugin, then test a ROM before writing it to the cartridge. Because flashing can erase existing games and saves, the warning should be considered before replacing cartridge contents.
Key Questions
What is the ModRetro Chromatic: Codex Edition?
It is a $200 ModRetro Chromatic handheld sold through OpenAI Supply Co. The package includes a programmable Codex Cartridge and three AA batteries.
How do users make games for it?
OpenAI describes a workflow using its Codex coding agent and the ModRetro Chromatic plugin, with GB Studio for refining the game and exporting a ROM. Users can test the ROM in a browser or on the handheld before writing it to the cartridge.
When is it expected to be available again?
As of November 10, Supply Co. listed an expected restock on November 19, 2026. OpenAI says restock dates may change, and it has not disclosed the number of units planned.
What happens when a new game is written to the cartridge?
OpenAI warns that writing a new ROM erases the existing game and can erase saves. The installer does not back up the cartridge.
Who handles warranty and returns?
OpenAI says ModRetro handles warranty and support. Supply Co. says non-defective items cannot be returned.
Source: Thorsten Meyer AI
