The wait is almost over as preorders for the Playdate will begin in July. While no exact date has been announced, developer Panic revealed that a warning will be sent out a week before the preorders start. The first units of this new handheld video game system are to be shipped sometime later this year. By the way, it’s currently priced at $179.
So what makes this one different from others? Besides the usual buttons, the Playdate has a crank or a rotational analog controller. The screen has no backlight but is super reflective. The question then is why would someone buy this new gaming device? In a post, Panic shared that the plan with Playdate is not to compete with other devices but instead complement them. That means this gaming device is projected to be used in between the times a player spends with their console or PC.
In a statement, Panic co-founder Cabel Sasser revealed that they hope those who can get the first units can have a pleasant experience.
The Playdate unit isn’t the only one that’s going to be available. There’s also the Playdate Stereo Dock, which is set to be its very first accessory. With these, users can store as well as charge their unit especially when it’s not in use. They can even do it without the need to plug the unit. That said, it can even act as a Bluetooth speaker. Don’t get your hopes up though since no word has been released on the price and availability.
Playdate is also introducing Season. This is a collection of games scheduled for release over a period. Currently, the plan is to release one game each week. Season One is expected to have 24 titles. Of these, 21 have been unveiled:
- Crankin’s Time Travel Adventure
- Battleship Godios
- Boogie Loops
- Casual Birder
- DemonQuest 85
- Echoic Memory
- Executive Golf DX
- Flipper Lifter
- Forrest Byrnes: Up in Smoke
- Hyper Meteor
- Lost Your Marbles
- Omaze
- Pick Pack Pup
- Questy Chess
- Ratcheteer
- Sasquatchers
- Snak
- Spellcorked!
- Zipper
- Saturday Edition
- Whitewater Wipeout
What do you think? Will you be trying this one?
