this post was submitted on 25 Feb 2024
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Playdate Console

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For discussion on the unique yelllow, crankable handheld, the Playdate!

Developed by Panic, the Playdate is an esoteric, low-tech handheld featuring a crank input for unique gaming experiences.

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Panic has announced that the Playdate is now shipping as soon as orders come in!

If you've been on the fence about getting a Playdate due to the long waiting times, now is your chance!

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 8 months ago (2 children)

I don't get the point of this console. All I see is the ability to play no-name games with an added cumbersome control on a monochrome display.

Is this for toddlers or something?

[–] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago

It's an esoteric device for sure. I've really enjoyed the titles that the console ships with, and it actually has some relatively big names who have developed games for it. Crankin's Time Adventure was developed by the makers of Katamari Damacy. The upcoming Playdate game "Mars After Midnight" is being developed by Lucas Pope, of "Papers, Please" and "Return of the Obra Dinn".

The lo-fi aspect is part of the appeal, but obviously not for everyone. That being said, Panic has struggled to keep up with the overwhelming demand, and itch.io is filled with thousands of titles developed for the Playdate, and it has a very active online community surrounding the device (outside of Lemmy).

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago

Don't forget server lock-in!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (2 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

It's certainly an esoteric product. I bought mine before the price increase (when they were I believe $170), and I've been quite pleased with it. It's fun, has creatively made games on it, and makes for a perfect waiting room time-killing device. But it certainly isn't for everyone at its price point. The build quality is very nice though, as you'd expect from something designed by Teenage Engineering.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Yeah $200 seems quite steep even though it does look cool!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 months ago

Uh, I'll keep waiting, thanks.