Playdate Console Review

The Playdate is a tiny little handheld filled with wonder and games you can't find anywhere else. Understated 1-bit black and white visuals and quirky crank-turning gameplay give the Playdate a unique charm. But this isn't just a novelty device; the Playdate feels like it has lasting power thanks to its stellar design and open and inviting approach to game development that will undoubtedly lead to many more cool and interesting games after the first season wraps.
You can read the full written Playdate review by Steven Petite on GameSpot.

[@djtomoy]

The screen not being lit is odd to me, I’ve played gba games for years and finally getting one with a backlight was a revelation, so this thing not having one is weird.

[@greatwesternsky]

the black and white visuals on this are gorgeous.

[@kaimargonar1000]

Imagine when you open the new game wrap and it's Bloodborne 2

[@Nyantify]

Can't wait to see someone be able to play doom on this device XD

[@aurafluff]

It'd be so fun to play a modified version of stardew valley on this, or anything with a fishing minigame!

[@LostHope84]

You want to play Stardew valley in black and white? Why?

[@kazzajaxon7566]

@@LostHope84 I think their reason was extremely clear.

[@markzmza]

@@LostHope84 Imagine fishing with that crank doe

[@fckSashka]

@@markzmza fishing minigame is confirmed

[@savagemantis9060]

People seem to be forgetting that the price includes the games as well

[@als_pals]

and that the sdk is free for everyone so there's gonna be a lot of community games imo

[@zilog1]

yeah. that, and that its not some bootleg clone of clone of an emulation handheld.

[@robertobarasa4095]

people always find a way to say something is too expensive without even really giving it thought and how pricing works

[@zilog1]

@@robertobarasa4095 steam deck :/

[@mdo]

That's not the problem. The problem is really the screen. Why monochrome? Why no backlight? A similar screen for the Raspberry Pi Pico for example, color and with adjustable backlight is 12 quid retail. Surely they could have used a similar one.

[@makbar59]

This looks fun. I hope more companies try doing fun things like this

[@claudia.909]

@@stephendavis1274 *d e b a t a b l e*

[@Forthro]

@@stephendavis1274 39-50 is less than its production costs, not even counting all the games it comes with.

[@Forthro]

@@stephendavis1274 no spreadsheet, but I remember Panic saying that each console costs more than 100 dollars to produce, not counting software, QC, customer support, shipping and many other expenses. Also I've searched for average prices of playdate's main components, accounting for acquiring them in bulk. The model of Cortex M7 they are using, costs around 20 bucks, same with the reflective memory LCD. Even these two components are already higher than your lower bid. You can add 10 dollars for crank, screws, buttons and cables. Casing and motherboard are custom, so there is obviously no data about price here, but they are high quality, so a decent amount of costs goes there. Now add assembly and aforementioned expenses and you will get quite a huge price for seemingly a simple piece of technology.

[@titoriano1]

Would love an open source gameboy that’s similar to this to revitalize that style of game. Not a rom device but a new gameboy style system with the ability to even make games with online capabilities

[@napynap]

I love the look of the games! Kind of like a Game & Watch, but way more modern. Not sure I would like playing them on that small screen, so mirror mode is something I would lean towards. Thanks for the review!

[@dannyvickers8278]

good to hear your voice again man! finished Chat Very Good podcast a while back

[@MrWolfchamp-xi3cu]

There's a new console out? I didn't even know about this. Never saw any ads or commercials.

[@Starshorts1234]

thanks to Playdate i found about all the Retro Handhelds that cost half the prize and can play GBA, NES and PS1

[@DrDinB]

I will buy one when they release an updated version with a backlight to play in the darker.

[@CrazyBunny123]

I thought the crank was used to charge the device manually

[@eqmaeve]

Did I miss it? Is this ever going to actually launch? I’ve been hearing about this product for what seems like years (beginning of the pandemic easily).

[@YoshimiGames]

Pre-orders opened last July. They started shipping today.

[@ggary04]

With pandemic aside I don't think this took that long to launch. It's definitely no Intellivision Amico.

[@usbtypec.]

Question: do the new games get added based on your time, or if you order one in like a year, you missed out on a years worth of games? Aka how do the games get unlocked

[@aurafluff]

It's my understanding that whenever you get it the games start unlocking at the same pace as if you had gotten it first day.

[@usbtypec.]

@@aurafluff ok, thanks

[@The_RedVIII]

This thing is cute, but it should honestly not cost more than 100 dollars. 180 dollars for a device that doesn't even have a backlight? I pass.

[@Mfire33]

It's definitely not cheap but I remember them saying that the production of the console cost around 90$ and they have to pay themselves and the devs making the 24 games included, so it would have been hard to lower the price

[@MegaFinalRound]

@@Mfire33 it won’t sell much at $180

[@ggary04]

@@MegaFinalRound you're right over 40k units isn't successful at all 🤦‍♂️... If you want a switch buy a switch. If you want something new and unique get a playdate. Panics going to surprise you if underestimate this little guy.

[@bradarnold7834]

@@MegaFinalRound It’s been sold out since pre-orders went on sale last year

[@ggary04]

@@bradarnold7834 First 20k units sold out in 17 minutes to be exact. People are highly underestimating what this will be possible of.

[@johnnyrenkiewicz2789]

Fuuuuuggggggg I want this now 😩 I’m still paying off my analogue pocket. So good luck explaining this to wife

[@PlaydateCentral]

Awesome! 🙌

[@fireaza]

Does using the crank drip-charge the battery? If not, that's a wasted opportunity!

[@jojojoma3026]

Could you guys find some VO artists or just anybody who can read copy without sounding like their are chocking on their tongue, please? I mean, was that the first take or did it take a few tries to sound like that?

[@DekuNut353]

basically a wario ware device

[@Sudstah]

Best review

[@evercast9213]

Looks innovative , lot of potential for upgrades (second crank , color screen , multiplayer ?) , mirror and pulp are also nice additions for more invested players/streamers ...

[@christian5256]

Upgrades would ruin the concept.

[@melxb]

this would have been awesome as a kid in the Gameboy days

[@PhoenixPalmer88]

Ngl this looks like something I'd get out of a mcdonalds meal as a kid and forget after a few weeks

[@lofiplays_live]

How cool would be a music app like Spotify on this with cute graphics…

[@43SunSon]

$180, this price almost killed everything.

[@LTJ4CK]

FR

[@X_Leonhart]

I would change that “almost” to “totally”.

[@DuskWolf99]

I almost considered it, but for that price and NO backlit screen? I dunno about that.

[@thunderring3932]

Well the playdate comes with 24 games. So like 5$ per game and 60$ for the device

[@HopelessJester]

Not that bad. Yall being absurd

[@i.warrenhastings2526]

I mean, it IS "just a novelty device"...

[@haunteddreams7856]

It's a novelty

[@Safetytrousers]

There is a place for novelty fun. Novelty is not necessarily a bad thing.

[@smillstill]

@@Safetytrousers $180 novelty. Most are less than $100.

[@Safetytrousers]

@@smillstill I was replying to a comment that simply said 'It's a novelty', not 'It's a novelty that costs too much'. The value of something is an entirely personal consideration, the objective qualities are a matter of fact.

[@wae2117]

I don’t mind the price as long as I’m getting what I’m paying for

[@RoyalKnightVIII]

Would love a saga (final fantasy legend) style rpg for it

[@haunteddreams7856]

Ray tracing?

[@_pluto42_]

Sure wish I hadn’t canceled my order now

[@MrWolfchamp-xi3cu]

I been seeing ads for a handheld gaming system called the Snapdragon G3X. It was shaped like an Xbox or PS controller with a screen the size of a smart phone or something. Once I moved on from handheld consoles I didn't really look back but after seeing that I might have to get back into handheld. I mean with a screen the size of a smartphone that's practically a console you can fit in your pocket. I mean I watch movies and TV shows on a smartphone with virtually no complaints. So if smartphone TV/Movie viewing gives pretty much the same kind of satisfaction as a TV then gaming on a similar device should as well. It might make handheld gaming just as fun as console gaming.

[@LostHope84]

Why would you invest in an unknown console instead of just using an ipad, cloud gaming, and a controller? I can literally play game pass games on my ipad with my xbox controller and it's an amazing experience. Why would you spend more money on something that only plays games, especially if they don't have any good ones?

[@MrWolfchamp-xi3cu]

@@LostHope84 I don't that much about the thing. But it looks like it makes up for space. Playing a game on a tablet or PC with a controller vs a smartphone sized console shaped just a like a controller that doesn't take as much space. To be able to take that wherever you go with not as many pieces or parts. Just one device to carry. Plus how do you know it only plays games?

[@Matthew-zn3zm]

"This isn't just a novelty device..." be honest, how many takes did you have to do to avoid laughing or groaning when you said that?

[@Marci921]

Being left handed doesn't mean that everything has to be inverted. Especially not controllers.

[@CaptainMonocle07]

So excited to get mine!

[@ONEWAYLEEWAY]

You’re going to play it once then never touch it again 🤦‍♂️ You could have bought literally anything else 😂

[@haunteddreams7856]

@@ONEWAYLEEWAY wow that's insane that his bank balance affects your life 🤭

[@ONEWAYLEEWAY]

@@haunteddreams7856 They can buy what they like(obviously) I’m just letting them know they’re probably going to regret this purchase 😂

[@CaptainMonocle07]

@@ONEWAYLEEWAY Why are you so negative for a console you don't like? I'm hoping to be able to try making games for it since its a more stripped back developement environment. I just don't get why you're being so negative when it doesn't affect you?

[@the_gmer1955]

@@CaptainMonocle07 Just because he didn't like the console, is he negative?? Did you know that everyone has the right to have their own opinion? He had good intentions talking about his experience. The negative here by the way is you!

[@penyuwan]

Great for casual gaming for long commutes me think.

[@LostHope84]

lol.... I'd be bore to death in 2 minutes.

[@tristanward9937]

No it's not because it doesn't have a backlight. Could have made this much better.

[@AfroPlaylist]

Crank Dat Playdate Console

[@anonamatron]

As a leftie I'm insulted that you think I can't turn a crank with my right hand.

[@anonymousvagrant]

Now they should build a Nintendo GB emulator in this device

[@brijenmakwana2040]

Gadget is good but the pricing is too high

[@yokaigypsy]

Cool. 👀

[@T0asty-]

This is just OUYA, but more portable.

[@o-parts]

At least the OUYA was in color.

[@SleepyPossums]

People who don’t see the appeal of this clearly can’t imagine playing something other than decades old ROMs.

[@thunderring3932]

Exactly I just her someone you can just/get an emulator console instead. These are new and unique games you can only play on this and people can make their own games for it. I think it has a lot of value. It’s a little overpriced but you get 24 games with it. That’s like 5$ per game and 60 for the device itself.

[@VOAN]

They probably won't be able to play this thing all the time anyways, the thing had no backlight thus can't be play in the dark at night. They also can't play this in the day either as they had to go to work or school so yeah playing this thing is limited.

[@SleepyPossums]

@@VOAN Y’all clearly never had to play an original gameboy and it shows. I played that thing everywhere and any time, even if just by streetlights as my dad drove.

[@thunderring3932]

@@VOAN I feel like it’s perfect to play during the day, it’s tiny and has small but fun games you can play for just a few minutes when you have spare time. Like me, I’m doing art like 24/7 so I don’t really have time dedicated to really get into any of my switch or steam games. So it’ll be nice to have a fun little console to pick up and play some fun and unique games completely away from my work for a few minutes as a quick break without getting too distracted.

[@NH-hs3es]

But can it run doom?

[@YoshimiGames]

Yeah someone got Doom on it last year

[@scribeofsolace]

Of course haha

[@zilog1]

the amount of faking polish on not only the physical build but the sprites and animations is absolutely exceptional. This is nintendo level polish wowza

[@savagemantis9060]

Excited to get mines

[@LostHope84]

You could have bought a gameboy from the 90s for a lot less. Better games and a better system.

[@savagemantis9060]

@@LostHope84 i have a gameboy already, this comes with a lot of games included and i wanna support this cool idea. Ba humbug

[@TrashcanGhost]

Probably cant get one until 2024

[@macias1236]

Wow... Has this guy ever played a souldborne game before?

[@CHO0027]

It's not new. It's ipod game. Do you remember Arkanoid in ipod?

[@irishdude1988]

Crankinstein

[@smillstill]

$100 to make (???!!!) plus twenty four 99 cent games leaves about $56 profit on each.

[@VRtheFuture]

This is really cool but as long as the powkiddy V90 is available for $40, this will be a tough sell for most handheld gamers unless the game play can really up the ante.

[@RetroChiZ]

The V90 is astonishing value for money :)

[@fckSashka]

they aren’t even remotely comparable

[@VRtheFuture]

@@fckSashka oh, I'm sorry to hear that

[@livesinalazywonderland4021]

That’s like comparing a window to a drawer

[@VRtheFuture]

@@livesinalazywonderland4021 yes fair point but to the general public, all handhelds are grouped together. interesting that everytime I have used the playdate wether it was during testing or presentations I always get questions comparing it to an anbernic or powkiddy. I agree with you, but one of the questions I get most is literally what I posted. So it's frustrating.

[@viggowhite760]

It's Bimo💁‍♂️

[@ocking]

Make in Malaysia...

[@Boswd]

No mention of that $200 price tag. Interesting omission.

[@FirmanAsa]

"... for Mac, PC, and Linux."

[@kayvahn2141]

will definitely get rev 2 when it has a backlight

[@Que5oFre5co]

Pretty steep price

[@giellesfairon1745]

Extremely over priced especially with a non back lit screen.

[@Daftasabat1]

Any danger of Gamespot having someone read out a review that can pronounce the letter T at any given time? Cheers

[@RiayToons]

"קומיקם דייט"

[@jjrbanana]

Love your reviewing style and voice but please could you make an old man happy and pronounce your ‘T’s’ properly. Thank you 👍

[@chunkabo716]

could I install Gameboy games on here? it would be pretty cool to play Pokémon.

[@VOAN]

You could but I don't think you could play most of it, the system lacks a START and SELECT buttons and no way to link so you won't be able to trade Pokemon with it.

[@chunkabo716]

@@VOAN I would have to make it a RomHack then and put in my own stuff, maybe I can use the to the crank.

[@CosmicSailorV]

Like almost everyone else, I’d buy this if it were $80-$100 not $180. Way too expensive for what it is. There’s plenty of handheld consoles that do more for less (looking at you Retroid Pocket 2+)

[@SerathDarklands]

Yeah, but how much does it _cost?_ That's an extremely important aspect that should be included in a review like this.

[@kevy293]

I preordered last July, the console is $179.00 I preordered the console and a cover for it for $199.00 +tax

[@SerathDarklands]

@@kevy293 That seems a bit high. Even adjusting for inflation, the GameBoy Color was considerably less than that when it first hit the US market.

[@alastairvanmaren5243]

@@SerathDarklands Bear in mind that this price includes the first season of games at least. Someone else I saw break it down as 60$ for the device and 5$ for each of the 24 games :)

[@Tinbeef22]

5/10

[@leok723]

Playdate

[@nvc.]

seems like an idea that Nintendo hould have..

[@davidsgamingworld8935]

this is cool but not worth the $180 price tag

[@tristanward9937]

Why not just play games on your phone? You could get some pretty good games for $180. I don't get the appeal of this.

[@VirtualRobotsRevolt]

Looks great. But I wouldn’t buy this for over 100.

[@cortdaiger5572]

Sadly it costs them just over $100 to make, plus the season 1 of games with your purchase of the console, it makes sense for the price they are charging.

[@VirtualRobotsRevolt]

@@cortdaiger5572 I don’t see how that’s true. Maybe with R&D. But If that’s the case they can drop the price after that’s paid off.

[@At-sr1ry]

@@VirtualRobotsRevolt it costs $98 just to manufacture

[@johnwilliam6092]

Get an Odin

[@jckonline4668]

i will call this hand destroyer, it sure will cause alot hand injure on playing a long time

[@zaenalarifin2293]

Yes n. . Playdate 2 with backligh 😂

[@brokefifa.mp4]

Hard pass. There are too many dual analog having colour handhelds for cheaper. Quirky idea tho.

[@AgentDuck_]

it's basically a gameboy for hipsters 😂

[@SoulKingBK]

Why tho? Seems like these games can be played on the phone

[@afoxdesign]

Does your phone have buttons, a d-pad and a crank?

[@k-mart7475]

@@afoxdesign it has a digital screen that can add those and much more.

[@afoxdesign]

@@k-mart7475 how can a screen add real buttons

[@vito7428]

@@afoxdesign Why would you want a crank

[@afoxdesign]

@@vito7428 answering my question with another question eh ..a crank creates new game mechanics. If you don't want one don't buy one. I didn't buy one either but I think it's an interesting little device

[@andrewedgar3935]

2022 and you can’t put a backlight in it? Are you ok?

[@nilsrodas6967]

This looks amazing, sadly it's too expensive

[@LostHope84]

This does NOT look amazing. And if it's more than 10 bucks it's overpriced. I'd rather play an old school gameboy.

[@scribeofsolace]

@@LostHope84 and yet those go for 50+ lol

[@IceofDream.]

Everything is perfect except the price

[@RafidW9]

Looks like a temporary gimmick device that'll wear off it's novelty after an hour.

[@dang3]

Am I the only one that doesn’t see the appeal of this especially at this price. I can play better games with better graphics on a device I already own. It’s called my phone. This just seems like a novelty device that that would’ve been better suited to be released in the 1980s.

[@toshineon]

I think this being a novelty device is exactly what the point of it is.

[@jpc8133]

Couldn’t agree more… don’t you already have a phone (Blizzcon 2018)

[@NecroMorrius]

I’m completely baffled as to why anyone would want this and why sane people I follow on social media are so excited to get it

[@christian5256]

How old are you? Honestly, I feel like this sparks something in me from when I first played an original gameboy. I can imagine how someone younger than me wouldn't get it, and I wouldn't blame you.

[@Subbefore-di7eo]

Read my bame

[@megaolafur]

$179 LOL

[@t1mblumer]

Beltalowda accent

[@X_Leonhart]

Nobody will remember this thing in six months.

[@ck88777]

you can get a used switch for the same price of 180$ the only people that bought this are very bored people with cash lying around, which is their target market, but still its pretty annoying teenage engineering targets the same market, makes sense this is a joint venture with them

[@WilsonSilva90]

It is also attractive to software engineers, like myself, because the documentation, tooling and support for game development are top notch.

[@dopenerd]

The crank is what kept me from getting this. It's very gimmicky. I'd wager the next version will have a removable crank, or they might go with some sort of wheel or remove it all together.

[@STFUppercut69]

This is for people, who hate money.

[@powerstrokethunder]

Buy a used 3DS……

[@Arklay_98]

I dont get it? Looks really lame.

[@willissudweeks1050]

I wouldn’t buy this for 20 bucks

[@Desasterific]

cashing in on nostalgia ay? for that price I'll pass

[@googlewolly]

Cool, but it's overpriced.

[@LostHope84]

$180 dollars for bad games and a console with the specifications of a gameboy from the 90s? HAHAHAHAHA

[@ahah86]

Am I the only one who think this is just a hyped toy for hipsters?