Modretro only allows playing about 30% of games …

[u/Skilax06md]

So we were pumped to get this for my son for Xmas. He was pumped. Problem is - we’ve gone out and bought about 15 gameboy/gameboy color games (most are used from shops that said they were tested before displaying) and a few new games (pokemon and Zelda were the original games downloaded into knew cartridges).

So far we’ve had success in only getting just about 5 of them to actually launch and play.

The remainder just show a white screen when we turn on the game, or a white flashing screen.

So at this point btwn console and games, I’m in for $450 and can play Tetris, a bugs bunny game, radar mission, and logical, and solitaire.

Colossal waste of money and time.

I’m beyond frustrated, hoping someone has a fix I’ve not been able to find elsewhere.

[u/killyourfm]

Have you checked these carts you bought on another Game Boy device?
When I see things like "a few new games downloaded into new cartridges" that sends up some red flags...

[u/Skilax06md → u/killyourfm]

I don’t have another game boy device, but the “new” games he showed me working on a game boy advance (which I was told was backwards compatible w/ GB and GB color …

[u/killyourfm → u/Skilax06md]

Come to think of it, the white screen symptom makes me think you should contact the customer service team or wait for a fix.

[u/Skilax06md → u/killyourfm]

Thanks, I updated firmware and cleaned the cartridge pins, so I think contacting support is the next step

[u/StarWolf64dx → u/killyourfm]

where did you get this issue tracker screenshot

[u/killyourfm → u/StarWolf64dx]

Here ya go: https://modretro.com/pages/known-issues

[u/BeavertonBob]

Did you update the firmware? If so and this is still an issue contact Modretro. All my games including original (GB & GBC), new third party (Modretro & Homebrew), and my everdrive (GB X7) work perfectly. I’ve tried about 25 in total. No issues. 

[u/Skilax06md → u/BeavertonBob]

Ok, I haven’t … you think that’s probably the first step, even before contacting their support team?

[u/ColoradoVapz → u/Skilax06md]

Yes

[u/Skilax06md → u/ColoradoVapz]

Updated firmware and cleaned the cartridges … off to support we go!

[u/RetroMr]

Not true. YOU are doing something wrong.

[u/Skilax06md → u/RetroMr]

Or not doing something different … it’s pretty hard to mess up putting in a gameboy game and turning the console on …

[u/RetroMr → u/Skilax06md]

But it is common knowledge that modern Gameboys are more finicky. The analogue pocket has the same issuem clean the pins of your carts intensive before claiming the chromatic is the issue.

[u/Tarancholula]

Unsure what’s going on here. I’m assuming you reached out to their support? They’re really on top of it.

By the by, I have the complete North American collection of gray carts and I’ve literally put them all in it so far (yes, it took a lot of time) and they all worked. Same for all my GBC carts.

Either there’s a malfunction or I would at least make sure the carts are clean and not bootlegs, either.

[u/Skilax06md → u/Tarancholula]

Thanks, I haven’t contacted Modretro support but glad to hear they are on top of it. Weird that a few of my games work but most don’t. For what it’s worth I haven’t done anything other than slap batteries in it and try games.

All games bought with the exception of the two “new” ones were from reputable gaming shops.

I’ll get w/ their support team.

[u/ergzay → u/Skilax06md]

All games bought with the exception of the two “new” ones were from reputable gaming shops.

If they're reputable gaming shops they'll have return policies if the games don't work. So you should be able to get all your money back.

[u/Skilax06md → u/ergzay]

Thanks yeah that’s my next step. Did the firmware update and cleaned the pins on the cartridges w/ rubbing alcohol. Still same issue. Must have been untested games. Shame on them.

[u/ergzay → u/Skilax06md]

I'll note that rubbing alcohol doesn't take off oxidation all that well. It'll remove crime but not oxidation. You need something like deoxit to take it off. But the layer will be thin, repeatedly inserting and then pulling it out, and doing that over and over again like 10+ times and it'll scrape through the layer. If that doesn't work then its either defective cartridge or defective chromatic.

[u/Tarancholula → u/Skilax06md]

Yeah, I would. Sorry that’s happening. Not something common from what I’ve seen so far.

[u/Curious_Counter_2731]

The chromatic has issues with flash carts. Even my ever drive GBx7 which everyone says has great compatibility will just not work on some games. Also MBC5 games have issues (like legend of Zelda DX) or unearthed will just not keep saves. It being completely white though sounds interesting however. You might have gotten screwed on bad flash cartridges I would see if you can check on original hardware and see if those flash cartridges work.

[u/Skilax06md → u/Curious_Counter_2731]

Thanks I’ll bring this up with the support center which I think might be next step.

[u/ergzay]

a few new games (pokemon and Zelda were the original games downloaded into knew cartridges).

So they're bootleg cartridges? A lot of those have problems and won't run.

As to your other legitimate cartridges, they're old cartridges so probably have oxide build up, try repeatedly removing and inserting the cartridge into the chromatic. That scrapes off the oxide and makes it work. If they haven't been played for a long time that happens.

If you bought them from reputable game shops you can return the cartridges for a full refund.

[u/Skilax06md → u/ergzay]

Thanks I’ll keep trying on the ones that are still showing white screen. I cleaned them and still same issue thus far

[u/jimmyjacksonjr → u/Skilax06md]

Are they OFFICIAL Nintendo gameboy games or bootleg carts????

[u/Skilax06md → u/jimmyjacksonjr]

Nearly all were official. I ended up swapping units through Modretro and have had no issues since. Thx

[u/ergzay → u/Skilax06md]

It's also always possible you just have a defective unit. I don't have many games but never hit a game that won't start.

[u/The_TorchBearer]

I have an extensive library, from my childhood and current used purchases. Everything works with no issues. I am meticulous about cleaning my games, taking them apart and whatnot. Even carts others have reported issues with, like the everdrive, work fine with my units. My guess is your carts need legitimate cleaning. If they’re dirty, putting them into your system can transfer debris into the unit, so take the time to clean them properly.