Quick answer

Start with a Link Cable if you ever play with someone in the same room, then add games like Buck and the Cursed Cartridge once your console is set up. Skip anything that duplicates a feature your Chromatic already handles. Buy accessories in the order you will actually use them, not the order they appear in a store.

The only two questions that matter before you buy

Every accessory decision comes down to two things: how many people play at once, and whether you want to carry your setup anywhere. If you always play solo at home, your accessory list is short. If friends regularly pick up a second controller, or if you want to play on a train, the list changes fast. Answer those two questions honestly and most of the catalog sorts itself out.

The Link Cable connects two Chromatics for multiplayer on supported titles. It is 6.5 feet long, so you can sit comfortably apart rather than shoulder to shoulder, and it needs no Wi-Fi. That last point matters: local play works anywhere, including places with no network. The limitation is equally clear. It only helps if you have a second Chromatic and a friend who wants to play the same supported game. If neither is true, the cable sits in a drawer.

Games are accessories too

A console with nothing to play is a paperweight. Buck and the Cursed Cartridge is a self-contained single-player game about a retro gamer pulled into a cursed cartridge, and it runs on the Chromatic without downloads or logins. If you are buying a Chromatic for one person, a game like this does more for your first week than any cable or case. If you are buying for a household, pair it with a multiplayer title so the Link Cable has something to do.

Decision rules for buying Chromatic accessories

  • Rule 1: Buy for the second player, not the first: If a second person will realistically play with you in the same room, buy the Link Cable. If not, put that money toward a game instead. No regular second player means no Link Cable.
  • Rule 2: Buy a game before you buy a gadget: A single-player game like Buck and the Cursed Cartridge delivers value on day one. A cable with no second console and no supported game delivers nothing. One game beats one unused accessory.
  • Rule 3: Match accessories to where you play: If you play at home, prioritize multiplayer and comfort. If you play on the move, prioritize portability and battery life. The Chromatic itself already handles the core experience, so buy around your habits. Your play location decides your list.

Products that match these decisions

  • Link Cable: The ModRetro Link Cable connects two Chromatics for multiplayer gameplay on supported titles, is 6.5 feet long, and needs no Wi-Fi. Buy this only if you have a second Chromatic and a supported multiplayer game. If you do not, it is the easiest accessory to skip.
  • Buck and the Cursed Cartridge: Buck and the Cursed Cartridge is a single-player game where Buck is pulled into a cursed cartridge and must battle through pixelated worlds and glitchy bosses. This is the right first purchase if you play alone. It gives your Chromatic something to do immediately without needing a second player or a network.

Who should buy Chromatic accessories

Best for

  • Players who regularly have a second person in the same room and want local multiplayer
  • New Chromatic owners who need at least one game before anything else
  • Buyers who want a short, practical list instead of a full catalog

Not for

  • Solo players who never host a second player and already have games
  • Anyone expecting accessories to fix a console problem rather than add a feature
  • Buyers who want a single all-in-one kit rather than choosing per habit