"When video game developer and publisher Panic launched its own console, Playdate, back in 2022, it upended just about all conventional wisdom when it came to gaming hardware. Coming just two months after Valve's Steam Deck, the micro-handheld was comparably laughably low in power, brandished a tiny monochrome screen, and took a minimalist approach to physical controls, with only a D-pad, two buttons, and a bizarre crank on offer."
"Defying practically all odds, the Playdate is going strong, recently concluding its second season of curated titles. But with 'appointment gaming' so central to the console's pitch, is it possible-or even worthwhile-to jump in, three years on? Having thoroughly missed the boat on Playdate's launch, I wanted to find out. My first impression of the Playdate as a piece of hardware is that it feels, dare I say it, a little bit hipster-but in a good way."
Playdate is a compact handheld console that pairs deliberately low-end hardware with inventive design choices. The device measures approximately 76×74 mm, is pocket-sized, and features a crisp one-bit 400×240 monochrome display at 173 ppi and up to 50 fps. Physical controls are minimalist: a D-pad, two buttons, and a crank that enables novel interactions. Games initially shipped via season-pass drip-feed, delivering mystery titles weekly, and curated seasons continue to expand the library. The combination of retro aesthetics, tactile controls, and appointment-style releases produces an unexpectedly charming and enduring gaming experience.
Read at WIRED
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