Retroable

Imagine it.
Build it.
Play it for real.

Describe your dream retro game. Retroable builds and compiles a playable ROM — then brings it to life as a real cartridge.

A purple handheld console joined to a wood-grain screen, split between a green dungeon and a starfield
GBC
Coming soon
Coming soon
Coming soon

Real ROMs. Real hardware.

From prompt to playable ROM

  1. 1

    Describe your idea

    Tell Retroable what kind of game you want, in plain English.

  2. 2

    Play your ROM

    Generate the game, write the code, and compile a real, playable ROM.

  3. 3

    Make it physical

    A custom cartridge in a retail box.

SUPPORTED PLATFORMSGBGBCGBANESSNES
A Starbound retail box and cartridges on a wooden shelf

$149

Your game on a cartridge, in a custom retail box.

Limited runs: 250 / 500 / 1,000 copies, from $49, plus shipping. Prices are final, with no VAT.

Pricing

Plans include a monthly credit allowance for creating a game, changing it, and generated art. You pay before the first game. There is no trial.

Lifetime

One payment. The same monthly credits continue. A hardware release is one sample of your game, for one platform, when that feature is available. Shipping is extra.

Starter Lifetime

499 €

once

  • 200 credits each month, for life
  • Limited to the first 250
Get Starter Lifetime

Creator Lifetime

999 €

once

  • 800 credits each month, for life
  • 1 hardware release included
  • Limited to the first 150
Get Creator Lifetime

Studio Lifetime

1.999 €

once

  • 2,000 credits each month, for life
  • 2 hardware releases included
  • Limited to the first 75
Get Studio Lifetime

Ultra Lifetime

5.000 €

once

  • 5,000 credits each month, for life
  • 4 hardware releases included
  • Limited to the first 25
Get Ultra Lifetime

Credit packs

Optional. A pack does not expire, and it stays if you cancel a subscription.

Europe is charged EUR. The United States and Canada are charged USD. The number is the same in both. Prices are final. As a small business under § 19 UStG, Retroable charges no VAT. Subscription credits last until the second monthly anniversary after they arrive. An annual plan still adds credits each month. A hardware release does not include shipping.

Questions and answers

What is Retroable?

Retroable turns an idea into a real game. Describe it in a few sentences, add a sketch if you like, and Retroable writes, builds and tests the game. You play it in the browser and download the ROM. The original Game Boy and Game Boy Color are ready to use. More consoles are in development.

Which consoles can Retroable build for?

Retroable makes games for the original Game Boy and for Game Boy Color. Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, Game Gear, and Mega Drive are in development, and not all of them can be used yet. On the home page, a console that is still in development asks for your email instead of starting a build.

Does it run on a real Game Boy?

Yes. A Game Boy game is a real ROM for the original Game Boy. A Game Boy Color game is a real Color ROM. Both run in emulators. Original Game Boy games also run on flash cartridges and on the cartridges we make for you.

How long does a new game take?

Usually 20 to 60 minutes. You can close the page: we email you when the game is ready.

How many games can I make?

A paid plan includes a monthly credit allowance. The pricing page lists how many credits each plan adds. A build that stops before the game is ready does not spend that work. There is no free trial.

How do changes work?

Open your game and say what to change. Each change uses one edit. Pro includes 100 edits a month, and you can add 50 more at any time.

What if the game misses part of my idea?

The game page lists what it covers. Ask for anything missing with an edit, one idea at a time works best.

Can I share my game?

Yes. Every finished game gets a public page that anyone can play, and it shows in the public library with its prompt and sketch. Switch a game to private in the Share dialog to keep it out of the library. Publish it to get a page at your-game.retroable.dev.

Can I get my game on a cartridge?

Yes. Order a cartridge from your game page. It is made for you and shipped to the address you enter at checkout. Ultra includes one hardware release. Creator Lifetime includes one, Studio Lifetime two, and Ultra Lifetime four. A hardware release is one sample for one platform, when that feature is available. Shipping is extra.

Are prices final?

Yes. As a small business under § 19 UStG, Retroable charges no VAT. See the terms and the right of withdrawal.

Is Retroable made by Nintendo?

No. Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, NES, and SNES are trademarks of Nintendo. Game Gear and Mega Drive are trademarks of Sega. Retroable is an independent service for making games for those consoles.

Something else?

Write to us.

All answers are also on the FAQ page.

Compiled notes from the Retroable Team

Short notes from the bench, as we ship.