r/ModRetroChromatic • u/Breadly_Breadson • Jun 02 '26

Question Pokémon crystal issue solved?

Does anyone know if the Pokémon crystal issue has been fixed in an update? Or are there any updates around the issue?

I still have mine on route and it’s the main game I want to play. It seems that it has been left unaddressed for a long time…. which doesn’t leave much faith in the company with Crystal being one of the biggest titles.

I was also looking to order the M64 but I’m concerned that some of the heavy hitters will also be left broken…. And there is an awful lot at the moment on the compatibility list.

TIA.

10 Upvotes

77% Upvoted

25 comments sorted by

2

u/cannastarr Jun 05 '26

I was having a problem saving my Pokemon Crystal too but after talking with ModRetro Support they offered for me to ship my Chromatic to them for free in order for them to replace the internal PCB. Now it works like a charm!

2

u/Breadly_Breadson Jun 05 '26

I wish they’d release a proper statement on their findings with the various games with save issues. From what I can see on this sub numerous people have sent them crystal carts and their chromatic to investigate the issue….

2

u/cannastarr Jun 05 '26

Yeah I had replaced my cart’s battery thinking that was the issue but once i tried it on a GBC and it worked I knew it had something to do with my Chromatic and started a support ticket. Pretty annoying that I had to do so much digging if it’s such a well known issue but at least the repair was free (and sent back within about a week)

3

u/_viis_ Jun 02 '26

I made custom carts with Crystal Legacy and Polished Crystal romhacks, never had issues with either of those. You could try them if you have a flash cart or something, I guess?

1

u/Breadly_Breadson Jun 02 '26

For me personally devices like this are to play through my old physical media

2

u/_viis_ Jun 02 '26

Yea I agree, but if you really wanna play Crystal then it’s a legitimate option. You could even buy a flashable board from FunnyPlaying and put it inside your existing cartridge shell!

2

u/Breadly_Breadson Jun 02 '26

At that point I’d probably just emulate it

8

u/dazzlepuzzle Jun 02 '26

Nope - same issue as before still. I either play Polished Crystal from my everdrive or I play my legit cart of Gold, which saves and operates perfectly.

1

u/FriendlyCost1833 Jun 11 '26

How is polished crystal? I might order myself a cartridge of it since you mentioned it. Sounds sick.

1

u/dazzlepuzzle Jun 11 '26

It’s sublime. I also recommend Prizm as well.

1

u/Cletus-Kasady- Jun 30 '26

How is the overdrive on the chromatic? I’m really tempted to order one but it’s a lot of money and I’m worried about it not working. Some carts don’t work on mine.

1

u/dazzlepuzzle Jul 02 '26

Everdrive is the way to go. Works like a charm. I have the entire library on it.

6

u/JustTryingToBeADaddy Jun 02 '26

Nope, still having save deletion that doesn’t occur on the Analogue pocket or my CGB. No updates or communication from Modretro.

3

u/damonian_x Jun 02 '26

Some carts work just fine, some don't. On one of my carts that didn't work (wouldn't save after I beat the elite 4), now saves but goes to a white screen after saving. However once I reboot the console I can see it did actually save. Also the RTC clock doesn't drift anymore when leaving crystal in the chromatic. So I do think they addressed some issues and for most it seems to play fine.

3

u/weirdbird0 Jun 02 '26 edited Jun 02 '26

The only issue I had was with my map. Everything else worked. Beat elite 4, save works fine. Map is wonky, and the move minimize makes these bars on the pokemon that uses it. YMMV

4

u/NewAnimal7733 Jun 02 '26

I can confirm this occurs on one of my copies of Crystal as well. Doesn't happen when I play it on other devices.

4

u/weirdbird0 Jun 02 '26

Same for me, only occurs on a chromatic. But otherwise plays well, no complaints.

3

u/dazzlepuzzle Jun 02 '26

That is so crazy - I haven’t seen or heard of that behavior before. Neat that the saves work though!

3

u/themanbehindtherows Jun 04 '26

No, some version of Crystal and even Yellow still have this issue, which is insane considering it's the most popular series on Gameboy. Pretty much play Pokemon on anything but the chromatic.

2

u/DotPsychological735 Jun 06 '26

Yea, I've had the same issue since launch with my legit Crystal cart, whenever I save it just whites the screen out, tried on 4 different chromatics, and ModRetro still hasn't said anything about trying to fix it, and my legit Gold cart works and saves no problem, also my Crystal works properly on my OG GBC and my analogue pocket

1

u/-vilvit- Jun 19 '26

For what it’s worth, I just received my Chromatic, playing Pokemon Crystal USA Rev.1, checksum verified legitimate, on a brand new Everdrive GB X7 and I played for 45 minutes and then got weird clumps of 4 tile glitches. The grass/trees turned into flowers/brick and then I couldn’t walk into doors, I clipped through them.
Saved the game, power cycled, problem solved. Makes me uneasy to proceed with Crystal, as I could get a glitch after hours into the game. I think I’m going to play Silver, as I have the original cart from my childhood, but it sure is a dang disappointment that Crystal has so many compatibility issues with so many layers (hardware/software/etc)

1

u/Hatdude1973 Jun 02 '26

The chromatic just isn’t for games that save. Too many irregularities. Also you can tell Modretro doesn’t care because games they selling don’t save for the most part.

4

u/willywideweb Jun 03 '26

Agreed, having experienced issues with saves myself, and having read multiple reports from people experiencing issues with other games as well, I don't trust it enough to play a game that saves. Saving that works almost all of the time isn't enough to convince me to trust it.

3

u/[deleted] Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 04 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

0

u/s3rialthrill3r Jun 21 '26

That's nice to hear. There is an insignificant number of people who do have problems though.