Install Shiny Relay on your Chromatic
Shiny Relay lets your ModRetro Chromatic play link-cable games over Wi-Fi, with friends nearby or over the internet. This page installs it over USB. Everything happens in your browser.
Loading the installer...
Please open this page in Chrome or Edge on a computer
This installer talks to your Chromatic over USB, which only Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge on a Mac, Windows or Linux computer can do.
- Install Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge on your computer (both are free).
- Open this same page there and plug in your Chromatic.
- Phones and tablets cannot install firmware. You can still set up Wi-Fi on the Chromatic itself afterwards.
This page did not load correctly
A file of the installer did not pass its check, so the page will not touch your Chromatic. Reload the page. If it keeps happening, try again later.
Before you start
- Charge your Chromatic, or put in fresh AA batteries, and switch it ON.
- Plug it straight into this computer with a USB cable that carries data. Only one Chromatic at a time: unplug any other Chromatic until this page says Done.
- Close the ModRetro Update Tool and other programs that use the Chromatic.
- Plan about 15 minutes. Most of it is the backup.
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Connect
Your Chromatic shows up as two devices, so Chrome asks twice, once per click.
First click Connect. In the list Chrome shows, pick Chromatic - Player 01 and click Connect.
The name can also look like cu.usbmodem... (Mac), COM3 (Windows) or ttyACM0 (Linux).
Then click Connect once more. Pick GWU2X and click Connect.
Wait a few seconds: Chrome's list can take several seconds to show GWU2X. Do not close it while it looks empty. If GWU2X was not in the list: unplug the USB cable for 5 seconds, plug it back in, then click Connect again (switching the Chromatic off and on also helps).
GWU2X is the part of the Chromatic that holds its console chip.
If Chrome lists two GWU2X or two Chromatic entries, another Chromatic is plugged in. Every Chromatic has the same names, so unplug the other one before you pick. The installer also checks that both connections are the same Chromatic before it changes anything.
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Check
Makes sure this is a Chromatic the installer knows, and reads which firmware it has now. This changes nothing.
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Back up (first part of installing, recommended)
Before anything changes, the installer copies your Chromatic's current firmware into 3 files that you save on this computer. With them you can put everything back later, and the installer can undo a failed install by itself.
Keep the 3 files together and private: they also hold the Wi-Fi password saved on your Chromatic. While it copies, the Chromatic's screen goes dark and the game stops. That is normal. It takes about 9 minutes and changes nothing.
The copy is ready. Save the 3 files one by one: click the button, pick a folder on this computer (for example Documents) and click Save. The installer checks each file after it is saved.
Save file 1 of 3
Where are they? In the folder you picked in the Save window. If you did not pick one, your browser put them in its download folder (the one set in the browser's settings, for example Downloads or Documents). This page cannot see which folder. Move all 3 into one folder you keep, for example a folder called "Chromatic backup" in Documents.
Use the backup you saved before. Choose the 3 files from THIS Chromatic (names start with chromatic- and end in backup.json, esp32_flash_4MB.bin and fpga_flash_4MB.bin). If you did not move them, they are in your browser's download folder. The installer checks that they belong to this Chromatic and its firmware now, and that none is damaged.
Skip the backup? Not recommended.
- Without a backup, this page cannot put this Chromatic's current firmware back by itself. Its settings memory (for example saved Wi-Fi networks) is not copied either.
- If the install fails, the installer writes the new firmware again instead of going back. If the Chromatic stops showing up, Rescue puts the installer's own console chip firmware on.
- To go back to official firmware later without a backup, use ModRetro's free Chromatic Firmware Updater (MR Updater). It says a Chromatic with Shiny Relay is "up to date" (our version numbers are higher): click Update anyway. That put ModRetro's firmware back on our test Chromatic. It installs ModRetro's newest firmware, not a copy of what yours has now.
Type the words NO BACKUP (capital or small letters both work).
Only wanted to check your Chromatic? -
Install
Installs Shiny Relay, checks every byte, and restarts your Chromatic. It takes about 4 minutes.
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Wi-Fi (optional)
The easiest way is on the Chromatic: press MENU, open SYSTEM, then WI-FI and pick your network. Or type it here and the installer sends it to the Chromatic over USB.
2.4 GHz networks only. The password goes to your Chromatic and nowhere else.
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Done
Shiny Relay is on your Chromatic. You can unplug it now.
Next, on the Chromatic (press MENU, then SYSTEM):
- WI-FI: pick your network and type the password with the D-pad. Or choose SET UP WITH PHONE and follow the steps on your phone.
- ONLINE: press A to pair. On your phone or computer, open shinygen.ai/link and enter the code the Chromatic shows. This links it to your Shiny Gen account.
- LINK CABLE: leave it on AUTO. It finds a Chromatic nearby, or plays over the internet.
- Play a Shiny Gen game against the Shiny Gen app or a friend: in the app, host the game and press Invite my Chromatic before you start MULTIPLAYER on the Chromatic. Already in MULTIPLAYER? Pick MY DEVICES. Or share a room code: HOST on one side, JOIN CODE on the other.
Keep your 3 backup files. To go back to the ModRetro firmware later, use "Put my old firmware back" below.
Working...
What to do:
Put my old firmware back
Choose the 3 backup files you saved in step 3. Restore puts back both chips. Use Rescue only if the Chromatic no longer shows up as "Chromatic - Player 01" after an interrupted install: it needs only GWU2X.
No backup? Rescue without a backup puts this installer's own console chip firmware on (it cannot put your old one back), so the Chromatic shows up again and Install can finish.
Connect first (step 1), then:
ModRetro's Chromatic Firmware Updater (MR Updater) can also install the official firmware: it says "up to date", click Update anyway. ModRetro's Cart Clinic needs the official firmware.
Details
The technical log. It never contains your Wi-Fi password.