Cool Uncle's Corner: The Panic Playdate is my Favorite Thing, Let Me Tell You Why

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Did you know it costs over $100 to manufacture the Playdate? That plus 24 games included from the get-go puts a lot into perspective and rounds out to about only $4 a game.

[@mixolumia]

omg a shout out from my Cool Uncle Marisa??? thank you so much and I'm glad you like your Playdate!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Always!

[@BobbyTomio]

Okay, okay. I'm sold. I've been eyeing the PlayDate since it was announced. You've convinced me on many, many levels!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

I hope you have a great time with it!

[@switcheezy]

Just be ready to wait at least 3 months till you get it lol I been waiting for mine to ship since September 😅

[@dinckelman]

The Playdate was something i thought genuinely had no market, until i saw what kind of unbelievably creative games people had come up with. This thing is absolutely excellent

[@Beastw1ck]

I love my Playdate. It’s so gratifying when someone “gets it”!

[@SquidGodDev]

Your point about there being no true handhelds anymore was like a crazy revelation - feels like something I felt at the back of my head but I didn't know how to put it into words. And thanks for the Core Fault shoutout!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Thanks so much for watching this! I really enjoy your devlogs too :D

[@eraserheadbaby7095]

I couldn’t agree more! I love the play date. I’ve been a gamer for a long time, but my excitement for playing games has stagnated for a long time. The playdate rekindled my love for video games. The games all have so much heart in them. I haven’t been this moved and excited about video games since the 80’s.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

That's incredible! To be honest, since I mostly play retro games currently I hadn't thought about it like that, but I'm only terribly excited about indie releases and some franchise favorites these days.

[@ScottofOakland]

I really appreciate the movie lover analogy. I am the "encyclopedic" person, you mentioned

[@ghost-type]

Thanks for this one Uncle M. Too many times you see videos of people being negative just to be negative. It's okay to say good things about your favourite games. It's okay just enjoy things.

[@ViewtifulSam]

I'm 99% sure I would absolutely love this device and maybe even try my luck developing something for it. Can't buy one right now (due to combination of price, exchange rates and I don't even know what countries it ships to), but I don't question its price at all. I think it's a lively product, really well thought out and it makes me SO happy to know there's such an amazing community around it!!! Seriously, I root for this kind of thing so much.

[@nickwort123]

I think this video might have sold me on buying a Playdate next year

[@Matthew9250]

I absolutely love the playdate, it's such a weirdly wonderful device. So awesome to see you giving it the love it deserve!!

[@boro057]

I’ve been migrating to indie and handheld games over the last couple of years because AAA games have just gotten too broad and complex. It’s kind of exhausting to manage large inventories, stamina and hunger meters, open world maps with endless journal side quests, and controls that cramp my hands. I’m glad those games exist, I just find more joy in relaxing to simpler games I can wrap my head around.

[@ACABANON]

as someone who hadn't looked into it much and assumed this was another emulation handheld, i appreciate you making me more aware! great video!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

I'm so alarmed by how many people thought it was an emulation handheld! I'm glad to clear it up :D

[@ramonazero]

Me still playing her Gameboy DMG (unmodded) :0 15 hours of battery life! wooo

[@rrivillox]

I'm not have a Playdate 'cause the prices in my country are so expensive, but I enjoyed every minutes of your video. Thanks Marisa. Greetings from one of your lovely nephews. :8)

[@jimmynidas]

I want a PlayDate so bad. Honestly, when I saw the little crank I was sold.

[@KDiaz-hy1xx]

Aside from price, my backlog is just too big to take on the Playdate. Like, I kinda have fomo about maybe missing out on some great games, but at this point, there are enough games that I just haven't gotten to. Like, I played Dark Souls for the first THIS year

[@8_Bit_Bear]

I still highly recommend a Playdate if you're interested in indie games.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

So valid. Playing older games I missed out on too creates an insane backlog haha. Still haven't played an official Souls game myself!

[@valala2987]

This is my first time hearing of this and I'm sold! This looks like so much fun (just not for my wallet)

[@TizianZeltner]

Thanks for featuring my little Music Box app!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Thank you for making it!! I'm trying to get my more musically inclined girlfriend to compose something on it 🤭

[@Monsterfrombtwntheseatcushions]

Omg this is yours?? You are a genius, it's so clever!!

[@AutumnRain]

FINALLY someone mentions the state of handheld gaming being nonsense. a clunky pc in my hands does NOT fit in my pocket 😭 the playdate is such a fresh breath of gaming

[@akpokemon]

👎the jumpscare sneeze :'(

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

The sneeze has been making waves. I promise it won't be a theme

[@rbndr]

I wish pico 8 had its own proper device like this

[@JohnParkMakes]

Pocket CHIP!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Big same. The 1:1 screen emulation devices are close, but I hope one day!!

[@TheKryce]

I had no idea Season 2 was coming! This is so cool!

[@zeugundso]

Thanks for making this video! You can clearly sense that Panic did not start out to make a low cost console and rather started with the features and constraints they liked and built upon that by investing in lots of labor to actually have good hardware and a great environment for developers. Does this approach make it pricy? Yes, but for me as a now 2 year playdate owner it is totally worth it.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Great points! It's amazing how they managed to make something luxurious yet toy-like.

[@Rex_Cosmos]

Very nice

[@gabhoule]

This thing is made for me, but here in Canada, at the moment, a PlayDate order sums up to 368 CAD $ (260 USD). I wish I had that kind of money.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

The international shipping is incredibly rough. My friend wanted to get the pizza cover shipped to the UK and it cost I think double the cover so he passed on it.

[@osohista]

love the little slice of cheese.

[@tiend15]

Wonderful video! I definitely plan on buying one!

[@RetroGamingMonkey]

The Playdate is great! A very unique handheld. The creative result of working with the limitations of this handheld are amazing! 😍

[@QuietMisdreavus]

I feel like you've convinced me to be interested, and now i have to convince my partner to let me buy a $200 gadget when i already have a lot of gaming gadgets >_>;;

[@officialr313ntless]

34:54 My ears perked up when I heard my boi Caleb from Blood 1997.

[@ericitchyd2311]

I think the switch and the wonderful world of handheld emulators has shown us that... every game is a handheld game, and every game is a console game. Virtually every single game we are playing now will one day be emulated on a little folding handheld that fits in your pocket, and that same device will probably be able to connect to a big screen and let you play that game on your tv. Whether you're in a penthouse or an outhouse you'll be able to play Mario Kart. Ubiquity of gaming is the future. Personally I'm looking forward to the waterproof handhelds with sapphire screens that will be getting in a few years.

[@ScottofOakland]

I'm glad that it brings you joy! Unfortunately at that price point, there are myriad other options for entertainment for me, personally.

[@akr4s1a]

oh hell yeah, debating one for a xmas gift this might be a make or break video for whether I get it

[@8_Bit_Bear]

With current shipping and fulfillment times it may not arrive by Christmas. But I still highly recommend getting one! Especially since the Community awards will be presented in February (most likely) so you'll learn about some great games that have come out in the past year. And there is also Season 2 on the horizon which will offer even more great games!!

[@reeddraws]

Welp, I gotta start saving now. The Playdate has shown up on my feeds occasionally since release, but I didn't look closely enough at it. I thought that there were legitimately only 24 short games that were Warioware-esque and wasn't an emulator, so the price tag felt really unjustified. I wish I had looked a bit closer

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

I'm so glad this helped clarify! It sucks a lot of coverage on it is so surface level and unserious.

[@JustJagsOG]

I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THE PLAYDATE AND HYPED FOR ANOTHER VIDEO!!!! Rarely get to see things past season 1 games Edit( just realized there's only been one season lol) I so desperately want one.

[@Ensu_Verna]

They announced a season 2 coming next year, I'm really excited

[@yourtubeccount]

I'm just here to listen to someone's opinion on things and listen to them talk about video games and related

[@Screwy]

I've tried out a friend's Playdate and I've definitely been left really intrigued, though I'm wondering if they're gonna do another colorway. I respect the move to only sell it in yellow as a trademark quality, but it would be cool to see even one more color option (though the cases are a really cute half-measure of sorts, really partial towards the pizza box one).

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Haha, nah, I don't think there'll be another colorway. Yellow is such a statement.

[@SFoX]

Have you ever had your reasons for liking games change? Because I went from enjoying any and every game to wishing I wanted to play more on my own. It's so much more comfortable to play just with friends

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Not yet, but the only constant is change. I've heard your experience a lot, though! I think especially as we get older, using games to connect with others in the spare moments we have can be so lovely.

[@SFoX]

@yourcoolunclemarisa I HAVE had a little bit of luck with my 3DS, once in a while I'll lock in playing spectrobes😂 but other than that is team games with friends

[@NunchuckPup]

So real! I used to play everything, then I only enjoyed playing with others. But over the past few years I've found joy in playing single-player again, especially more puzzle & strategy games that I used to hate. As humans grow and change, sometimes our reasons for play change too. I think that's cool!

[@nerdzone]

You are correct. I am an uber nerd and defintely love my PlayDate. I love what it represents either. In how homogenized the gaming industry is right now, a lot of gamers and sadly even critics do not know what to make of the PlayDate. I am glad you get it!

[@nerdzone]

I am like 30 minutes in and I ADORE your take on it. You are asking many of the same questions, having a lot of similar points as my while clearly putting enough time to illustrate them briliantly. You said this video is not a review and you are completely wrong. This video is a review of PlayDate in the context of our the contemporary gaming landscape and it's a review of said landscape as an extention. It's a must watch for anyone that's a gaming nerd, really.

[@philfriethegamingguy7759]

I have found myself playing a lot of playdate lately while my switch gathers dust. I just bought the pizza box too.

[@lizlesss]

If only they weren't so pricey, love the Playedate!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

I really wish I'd had faith in it when it was at launch price / pre-Covid T_T

[@lizlesss]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa Couldn't agree more! After just graduating college, I'm hoping to, in the near future, grab one myself :)

[@alexander-prime]

there's a lot of good stuff to say about the playdate. my personal little fun fact is that my cat is in the game Loops! she's the pirate kitty. my partner submitted a picture of her in the playdate discord.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

that's so cool! famous kitty 🩷💚

[@thechansen]

I love the Playdate, the community around it, and most importantly the games.

[@MrMountie11]

Unsubscribing because every week you make me want to buy stuff.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Hahah, watch the reviews where I hate the product to take away the pain? A big reason I don't like to do too many reviews, I don't want to encourage consumerism, just share what I love or help folks make informed decisions :')

[@MrMountie11]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa In all seriousness that's why I like your channel a lot, you can tell you're actually passionate about the stuff you give positive reviews of. Feels a bit rare these days.

[@autistz]

Damn I love this thing I just heard about

[@switcheezy]

This is a beautiful video 😢

[@paisleyboxers]

I've had my playdate for about a year, I love using it when I make time to. Also - if you haven't played with the latest Arduboy FX, I have an extra one to lend! (I thought I lost mine, bought another one, found the one I thought I lost)

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Someone else also suggested the Arduboy, I have yet to check it out!

[@isaG56]

Loving your vid! I'm gonna give my 2 cents: I agree the Switch isn't actually a handheld, I call it hybrid most of the time. I think Nintendo is and always was the only one actually trying to be kind of different. They learned their lesson on the GameCube, and they've been doing weird and quirky things since them. That's why people keep calling them gimmicky, and pretending they're not cool. Because the Wii depended a lot on its motion capabilities, and the Wii U, although not successful, did try to do things differently (and now Sony copied it lol), the DS and 3DS make absolutely no sense nowadays, but they were crazy concepts that somehow worked out. Nintendo has been doing weird things all this time, and that's why I love them for it. The Switch, although not that different nowadays, was looked down upon launch because it's a hybrid. Nowadays the portable PCs are popular BECAUSE of the Switch (not despite), and somehow people still look down on it. I'll always die on the hill that Nintendo AND specially Indie devs are doing a lot more for this industry than the 12 billion pentabytes microsoft's new box (no hate, I just don't find it as fun). Also, I really want a Playdate. I need me moneys.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Yep, entirely agree with you. I think I mentioned in the video how people were shit-talking the switch before release but I was hyped. I'm honestly a wee bit bummed if the Switch 2 ends up just being the same thing but a little bigger. At least give us a cuter / customizable home screen :(

[@isaG56]

@yourcoolunclemarisa this!!! You did, I just wrote the comment way before finishing the video lol sorry. My 3DS has my custom made theme since it's hacked, and all the official themes (which I never bought bc Nintendo only accepted international cards in my country for the 3DS) that were just so cute! I hate the bland themes for the Switch, and I love being able to get various options for my pfp from the Nintendo Online (it should be free!!), I change mine every week lol. Also, I do want something new for a new console, I just don't think Nintendo's gonna do it... The Switch is successful as Wii/DS was, and we know how the Wii U/3DS ended up (basically same console but quirkier™)...

[@rembrandx]

I can see plenty of people asking if it can emulate something, just out of a sense of wonder and exploration. There's no reason to emulate doom on a printer but it's amazing and cool if someone manages to break limitations. The fact it has 2 shitty emulators, is also how I actually found out about the Playdate in the first place, last year. I would love to get one but shipping/importing it into Europe makes it almost $400 😬

[@tjmixmasta]

Does anyone know when the pre-orders will ship? I saw the site said December, but has an official date dropped yet?

[@vj7248]

tbh i want to get it to make games for it cus i love handheld gaming 🤔

[@8_Bit_Bear]

You can still make games without owning one! They have an SDK that they are happy to let anyone make games for and people in the community can test games on the hardware to ensure everything runs smoothly.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

@8_Bit_Bear - That's something I wish I'd remembered to state! It's so cool how many people make games without owning one, and I remember that was like at its peak when it was still in pre-order phase. So wonderful.

[@AnthonyCapps]

I think it was interesting when you brought up the aversion to have people emulate games on the Playdate but I'm honestly in the opposite camp and want to emulate Playdate games on other hardware. I know there's an SDK for it but I'd love to pay for Playdate games and throw them on my Miyoo Mini Plus for example. I can only imagine some of those people who want to emulate other games just want one device that can cover their handheld game needs. I love all of the Playdate games I've seen and I'd really like to play them but I couldn't personally justify spending 200 dollars on another hardware device. I think supporting Panic and all of those devs is amazing and good but I also wish there wasn't a barrier to entry in that regard. I kind of almost wish it was a Pico8 situation.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

One day anbernic will make an emulation device with a crank. They release something new every week, after all.

[@AnthonyCapps]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa yeah i kinda wish they would chill lmao. so much of the emulation scene seems to focus on the hardware rather than you know, actually playing the damn games. which is why playdate is so refreshing because they're giving you this device that kind of opens up a new space of play. it's just a bummer that you can't play those games without that hardware. I think I'm happy waiting for a heavily discounted one or for Panic to eventually release some sort of way to play Playdate games on a device I already own. I'm hopeful that will happen one day :)

[@SerasThings]

3:43 Your channel is well off enough to get review copies you also have a good presentation and you're good at picking topics. The only thing preventing them from offering it is knowing you exist. Don't be afraid to email companies, mention your average viewership, sub count, and your channel. I used to do games journalism and most of them won't send you keys for games unless you message them first. Even some of the bigger review sites. The reality is these are businesses and they're not big consumers of media. They're too busy making the stuff. So they don't always have the time to go find channels, they'll wait for an email, check affiliate sales, do a google search and pick the 3 people who show up, or they'll email you blindly without knowing anything about your channel (don't take deals from these ones, if they don't know your channel they're not worth working with). Send them an email, give them a little tap and say "Hey, I'm here too". Works for me and I have a similar sub count, although you get much more views.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

I appreciate it but I had just started my channel when I got my Playdate, and primarily I don't like doing too many reviews as we're mainly a modding channel. The reviews are filler episodes hehe

[@loopernow]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa I'm sorta new to your channel…do you explain in one of your videos how you got into soldering and modding/fixing? It just seems like such a niche hobby!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

I may have talked about it in my 10k sub q&a or my podcast with Adin Walls? But mainly I just came across videos of upgrading GBCs and it went downhill from there haha

[@shimster13]

Already planning to buy one based on this video. I'm an uber nerd retro gamer and I prefer original hardware. I really love unique controllers. I also loved the sneeze 😂

[@8_Bit_Bear]

The playdate is one of those consoles that looks like it would be a gimmick with the crank, but it actually works so well having a crank as an input. There have been so many great games that make the crank just feel amazing.

[@danreeves8376]

Came here for the playdate review (waiting to hopefully receive mine soon) - but I have to ask: where did you get your jacket? It looks so cool!

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Thank you! It's from Lazy Oaf!

[@danreeves8376]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa Awesome! Thanks 😄

[@yellowg3527]

Dude, I have been saying forever we don't have true handhelds anymore. Sing it! Already happened to have the Playdate ordered. This video is pure vindication

[@Rosabel_Believe]

Do you like pico 8? Based on your feelings on niche media, i feel its well suited for you. Id love to see a video with the games you like on that system. They play very well on 1:1 ratio emulation handhelds. I love pico on the rgb30 personally.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

I really want to get into pico-8, I bought it on my computer. I think I need to run it on a handheld device though to fully vibe with it. I have an upcoming one I'll be sharing with you guys that seems to serve it very well. I'm glad you like the rgb30! I'd bought it for that reason but immediately sold it because I didn't like the handfeel. We are all so fickle in our own ways haha.

[@8_Bit_Bear]

Sorry for possible corrections on your video. The playdate discord is community run. Also the playdate direct is community run as well. Panic does do some videos but the directs are for the most part community run.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

I didn't say anything to the contrary. Also, Panic's Creative Lead is extremely active and helps moderate / relay information on the Discord so it would be incorrect to say they are not involved or are not supportive of it.

[@yowamushi6666]

can you get season 1 if you buy a used playdate?

[@8_Bit_Bear]

I believe so. I haven't heard otherwise.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Yes, it's linked to your account!

[@coolduder1001]

I'm glad someone likes it

[@alansmemoriesofnothingands8029]

i can't believe nintendo don't rerelease game boy games

[@Michirin9801]

That thing you said near the start of like... Nintendo stands out because of their IP, like, that is very much a factor, but there's also the other thing of like, their hardware being different, y'know? Particularly in cases like the Wii, Wii U, DS and 3DS, where like, that hardware is SO different and unique that like, it becomes hard to replicate the experience on anything but the real thing? That's much less of a factor now, but still... I'd also say the same thing for like, PlayStation, like, I don't have a PS3, PS4 or PS5, but I got a PS Vita, why? Well, because I wanted to play Project Diva on a portable mainly, but like, the Vita was interesting BECAUSE it was different! Because it was gimmicky and trying new things! (Too bad the rest of the library does so little for me =w=)

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

I totally agree with you! I was mainly focusing on the IP re: the general population of naysayers who end up buying the consoles anyway to play the current games. However, up til the Switch, I feel like the general population was actually still interested in innovation - the PSP/Vita for example even - but now everything has fallen into sameness and a comparison of things via how well they stack up in that sameness.

[@rj6929]

Wait wait; back up. Are u telling me we are allowed to have our own opinions and preferences? The audacity 😮

[@piesareround]

Holy heck Unc, your teeth are so straight! ...I cant wait until i get my braces off.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

omg kind of same because I was technically supposed to be done with Invisalign a few months ago but I had to keep going, then I was supposed to be done last month but we're gonna keep going. Wishing you the best with your braces - I bet it's going to be such a relief.

[@lizard-x3]

Okay, wanting to be able to tinker with and do as much as you can with your own handheld, there is nothing wrong with that. Wanting to run GB games on it, doesn't diminish the value of the Playdate and its own catalogue in the slightest. To do what you want with your own device, isn't sad. I generally agree with you on most things here, but that just seems so arbitrary. The strawman of someone of only wanting to play other games on it, is well.. a strawman. No one wants to buy a Playdate to play GB games on it only.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Not a strawman, I've had people express this to me, but I appreciate the optimism :0)

[@tenminutetokyo2643]

Too much tech. Panic is one of the oldest Mac software companies around. They started in the early 90’s.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

That's incredible, I had no idea. In fact, I didn't even realize until after getting my playdate that Panic is the same Panic who published Untitled Goose Game and Firewatch. I'm very excited to play their new games too~

[@ivanjarmoluk6484]

Do you really think their markup is reasonable? That's what's kept me from buying one. I just can't imagine it costs that much to build a device with the processor and screen of a calculator, and I can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on it even if it's great.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Panic revealed a while back that it takes a little over $100 to manufacture the playdate, plus the games it comes with round out the price at only $4/game, so yeah I think that's a reasonable profit margin.

[@ivanjarmoluk6484]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa Oh I didn't know it came with games included. That definitely makes it much more compelling. Perhaps they'll make a customer of me yet. It's still hard to swallow $200 though. 🤷

[@nathanxbond]

The smugness in these videos ooze through the screen. She’s the type of person that corrects you on the pronunciation of Bon Iver and wears Joy Division shirts even though she’s never once listened to them.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

you sound like a very unhappy person. I hope things look up for you.

[@jsar5409]

Neat, but nowhere near $200 neat lmao. That's a fifty dollar device at most.

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

It literally costs over $100 to produce along with the included season, you cabbage.

[@jsar5409]

@yourcoolunclemarisa lmao I'd prefer the cabbage over this thing 🤣

[@yourcoolunclemarisa]

Sir, this is KZbin. Go to a grocery store.

[@jsar5409]

@@yourcoolunclemarisa haha I may indeed. Cheers!