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I love Playdate games that don’t use the crank. Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate titles that do use it in inventive ways. But I also like when developers experiment with the limited palette, screen dimensions, and size of the system to approach other genres in unusual ways. Most notably, I’ve really appreciated the range of adventure games showing up on the Playdate over the last year, as the range of options gets diverse, engaging, and inclusive.

I first realized how much I enjoyed the various adventures that did show up on Playdate once I played the game Echoes of Emergent. It’s a gorgeous visual novel from RNG Party Games that essentially accomplishes miracles with the limited color palette of the handheld. The post-apocalyptic story follows a woman named Ayumi as she comes to with what happened and what’s next. I was stunned by how gorgeous and the realism the developer accomplished with it, as well as the touching story. It’s so engaging, and the minimalism helps make the tale stand out even more.

This feeling of the handheld working well with the genre ended up solidified with Terratopia: March of the Demon King. Kodiak Games’ adventure feels like a hybrid of the old school, first-person RPGs and point-and-click adventure games, given its perspective and approach. You assist a princess in preparing to defend a kingdom. This means investigation, interacting with people around you, learning more about the world, and training so you can fight back. It’s clever and I felt encouraged to explore, especially since it features such a fun script.

As I mentioned earlier, some of these Playdate adventure games seem to be getting extra inclusive too. One of the most obvious examples being Julie and Anders Bjørnskov’s Escape the Boardgame. It’s an escape room adventure that involves getting out of board games after being mysteriously shrunk down to the size of their pieces. It’s a follow-up to their previous title Escape the Arcade, and both tie together nostalgia, family-friendly situations, and puzzles that anyone of any age and skill level can enjoy. 

But all this is really exemplified by just how much is showing up to enhance the library of adventure games on the Playdate as of late. I picked up Wegiout of curiosity, even though I’m usually not as interested in horror adventures, and found Pixel Addict Games and Keith Baker, and found it even darkly funny sometimes! Hundred Rabbits’exploration and puzzle game Oquonie caught my eye because it is so detailed and features such unique characters and rooms, and I loved finding a way through a world where I didn’t know the language. Even though Hablet, from PiousPigeon, is more of a simulation, I also feel like the nature of visiting daily and interacting with The Concierge as I build up the town almost feels like I’m on my own adventure when I play. 

I feel like the adventure games on the Playdate really highlight other creative things developers can accomplish with the handheld. We know the crank is fun and can do neat things. But with various adventure games showing up on the handheld, we see how folks are taking advantage of its other unique features to tell stories in unusual ways.

Panic’s Playdate is available now, and Season 2 of games for it debuts on May 29, 2025. 

The post Playdate Is Proving to Be a Home for Adventure Games appeared first on Siliconera.

During the Playdate Update 7 on April 17, 2025, Panic confirmed the Season 2 games will begin to debut on May 29, 2025. It will cost $39, and one of its games will be a version of Shadowgate designed for the system. Those who pick it up for the handheld will get access to new titles that, like Season 1, will gradually roll out on a weekly basis. It also confirmed networking is coming in update, as is a general OS one. A yellow Playdate cover is also available for the first time.

Here are all of the Playdate Season 2 games. They will drop each week if you buy the .

• Black Hole Havoc
• Catcha Diablos
• Chance’s Lucky Escape
• Dig Dig Dino
• Fulcrum Defender 
• Long Puppy
• Otto’s Galactic Groove
• Shadowgate PD
• Taria & Como
• Tiny Turnip
• Wheelsprung
• The White out

Here is the full Playdate Update 7:

As a reminder, Season 1 appeared alongside the handheld when the Playdate debuted in April 2022. It consisted of 24 games. Each week, another two would unlock and appear on the console, granting the owner access to them. When you buy the system, you automatically also own that season.

Here are the 24 Season 1 games, as a reminder:

• Bb360
• Battleship Godios
• Boogie Loops
• Casual Birder
• Crankin’s Time Travel Adventure
• DemonQuest 85
• Echoic Memory
• Executive Golf DX
• Flipper Lifter
• Forrest Byrnes: Up in Smoke
• Hyper Meteor
• Inventory Hero
• Lost Your Marbles
• Omaze
• Pick Pack Pup
• Questy Chess
• Ratcheteer
• Sasquatchers
• Saturday Edition
• Snak
• Spellcorked
• Star Sled
• Whitewater Wipeout
• Zipper

Playdate Season 2 will start on May 29, 2025, with the final of the 12 games released on July 3, 2025.

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Panic announced a handful of new Playdate games and updates to existing titles alongside a full Season 2 slate of titles. While some of the new games will appear before 2024 ends, the new season and others won’t show up until the next year. 

The video going over the Fall 2024 update for the Playdate first focused on games available outside of Season 2. Lukas Wolski’s Owlet’s Embrace platformer will launch in late 2025, and it appeared first in the showcase. After that, the adventure game Comet appeared. That still is only listed as “coming soon.” Office Chair Curling, a curling game where you use rolling, swivel chairs instead of stones, is also “coming soon.” The word puzzle gamewill debut on November 26, 2024. Devils on the Moon Pinball is another 2025 release that came up in the showcase after that. 

The games Under the Castle, Rowbot Rally, and Root Bear will also get updates with new content this year. The Under the Castle update is live now. The Rowbot Rally one follows on December 17, 2024. There’s no launch window beyond 2024 for the Root Bear one. 

As for Playdate Season 2, that came up at the 12 minute mark. Owners of the system will be able to buy the new season from the cata 2025, but there’s no price for it yet. Those games will roll out in 2025, much like the first season.

Here’s the full showcase:

Playdate is available now, and the Fall Sale 2024 is live until November 14, 2024.

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Now that the Playdate has been around for a while, there are a ton of paid games in its official storefront and via itch.io to help build up a library of quick titles to play when you have some time. To help you sort through them and find something that suits you, here are some we’d recommend to get started with the system. Now, keep in mind there are tons of great titles, and we're just highlighting some of the best ones to keep in mind when you go shopping.

Best overall Playdate Game: Mars After Midnight 4v616b

Mars After Midnight is a whimsical take on Papers, Please, as you’re trying to help aliens with groups. This means targeting the right areas, having the right refreshments, and letting the correct characters into the meeting. There’s a good balance between simulation and silliness, it looks fantastic, and it’s just a well-designed marvel that shows the system off perfectly.

Mars After Midnight is $6 on the handheld. 

Best game played in short sessions: Root Bear 5le6j

Root Bear is about pouring root beer for bears via turning the Playdate crank. You get a minute to fill as many glasses as perfectly as possible, with the customers tipping you for performance. Those tips determine your scores. Since you have to for different glass shapes, foam, and fill requirements, it always feels fresh and fun to play for a few minutes.

Root Bear is $3 on the handheld.

Best action game on the Playdate: Pullfrog Playdate Deluxe  3p91

Pullfrog Playdate Deluxe is a combination action and puzzle game. You’re trying to clear lines of blocks, a la Tetris. However, the way you move said blocks is by directing a little frog around and pulling them with their tongue. You also can hit fallen blocks to chip away at them to make them fit or fall. Plus, there’s a roguelike element as you get additional power-ups or enhancements as you clear lines. It’s great!

Pullfrog Playdate Deluxe is $8 on the handheld.

Best infuriating, but fun, game on the system: A Balanced Brew  d163m

A Balanced Brew makes me want to scream sometimes, and that’s why I love it. You use the crank to help a person get a cup of coffee. Said person insists on using a unicycle on the most perilous and winding road ever. This means you need to balance, speed up, slow down, and handle situations where you ride a unicycle on a unicycle to get your latest cup. It’s tricky, but so satisfying when you get it right.

A Balanced Brew is $8 on the handheld.

Best game to play every day on the Playdate: Bloom 362p58

If you enjoy casual games with daily life simulation elements, Bloom is probably the closest you will get on the Playdate. Run a flower shop, grow flowers, and exchange text messages with folks as you go through a casual life that encourages you to stop by each day as you progress.

Bloom is $10 on the handheld.

Best Simulation game on the handheld: Glagstone 5d2i5v

Ready to manage an entire island? One that doesn’t seem quite right? Glagstone tasks you with keeping up with a community and taking on quests as you attempt to manage resources and build up the island while also perhaps finding out what happened to the last manager.

Glagstone is $6 on the handheld. 

Best shooter on the Playdate: Gun Trails  1o3u2z

I had no idea a shoot’em up would not only look so good, but also work so well on the Playdate, but Yoyogi Games proved it is possible with Gun Trails. It’s an amazing shmup with great graphics and modes for newcomers and veterans. There’s even an online leaderboard.

Gun Trails is $6 on the handheld.

Best puzzle game on the Playdate: Generations 3d6t29

Generations is a match-3 game where it is very easy to mess up if you don’t pay attention. You need to place portraits on the wall of a home and ensure ones of people from a similar age group are all next to each other. Doing so starts a chain in which they all come together and transform into one portrait of the next “generation.” You keep doing this as much as possible until you start to clear the board. It’s incredibly strategic, but also easy to play for 5, 10, 15, or even 20 minutes.

Generations is $6 on the handheld. 

Best RPG on the Playdate: Under the Castle 526nn

I didn’t expect an action-RPG sort of experience on the Playdate, but there are quite a few and Under the Castle is one of the best at making the most of the system. It’s your goal to face the Evil Lord, heading through dungeons and gathering things you need to make saving the day seem possible.

Under the Castle is $10 on the handheld.

Deceptively Difficult: Jolly Chimp Champ 6j3z72

Jolly Chimp Champ is one of the most recent Playdate games, and I’d say it is one of the best at looking simple, but then being much harder than you’d expect. You use the crank to control conveyor belts and get a monkey toy from one point to another. However, there are also hazards like guns, bombs, and gaping holes, and precise timing and thoughtful cranking is the only way to get around each challenge.

Jolly Chimp Champ is $6 on the handheld.

Most Pokemon Like: Shining Gadget and Shadow Gadget 5u311n

There’s no true Pokemon type of game on the Playdate, but the next best thing is a creature-collector of sorts. Shining Gadget and Shadow Gadget, both collecting ghosts with the crank. There’s no RPG element, but there’s still that drive to fill your collection or maybe even use Spirit Swap to share with other Playdate players.

Each of these gamesis $13 on the handheld.

The post Siliconera’s Playdate Games That May Be Worth Your Time appeared first on Siliconera.

Now that Panic’s Playdate is widely accessible and available, it feels like the new Lucas Pope game Mars After Midnight is here to show us what games on the system can do. The design, direction, and charming premise all come together to create what feels like a game that’s less stressful than Papers, Please, but just as artistically appealing as Return of the Obra Dinn.

Things begin with an overview of Mars. There’s the Earth colony, as well as a much larger Off-colony Settlement. After midnight, a standard Air Tight Shipping and Receiving area turns into the Off-colony Community Center. Each day, a certain event is held. So on day one, it’s a Cyclops Anger Management meeting. You man the event and make sure people who should be there are.

Much like Lucas Pope’s Papers, Please, Mars After Midnight is a Playdate game about paying attention to people and letting the right folks inside. Then, after they visit, you clean up and reorganize the refreshment table. Each night, a certain quota of people can visit. So on Cyclops Anger Management night, only beings with one eye and a sad expression can get into the event. Anyone who meets the criteria gets in, and you get credits for if they feel refreshed after possibly sampling the food and feel the meeting helped. 

Your goal is to eventually help all Martians with your meetings. After the Cyclops Anger Management tutorial session, you choose a session topic, the level of promotion, and the refreshments. You need to promote in the right areas to help affected people. Also, refreshments can encourage people to tip more, which means you can reach more people with promotional posters. This adds a management simulation element to the game.

Especially since the game builds on who you can help. For example, you can’t run the Gnat Knife Handling meeting unless you pay for a five dollar accessory for it. This is a one-time usage fee, so if you rerun that session, you need to pay that $5 Some meetings require cartridges you don’t own yet, so you need to hold other meetings first, earn money from them, then buy those cartridges if the vendor comes around during a shift. You can also buy other items, if you get enough funds, like recipes for different refreshments or a translator so you can know what the Martians are saying.

The nature of this means that Mars After Midnight can feel a bit tedious. However, I believe much of the reason why I felt this way is because I wasn’t playing the way Pope intended. All Playdate titles are structured in a such a way that you’re probably only supposed to play for 15 minutes or so at a time. For the sake of the review, I was playing for a few hours straight, going through various sessions. I imagine playing it as intended, in shorter bursts and perhaps at a rate of one session per day, would be fantastic.

Especially since Mars After Midnight basically blends elements of Lucas Pope games like of Papers, Please with the artistry of Return of the Obra Dinn in a wonderful way. This is a gorgeous game that does so much with its 1-bit design limitations. It’s an artistic marvel, just like Return of the Obra Dinn, with personable monster designs, fantastic use of audio and sound effects, and such a great job of creating a Mars colony that feels real and full with so little. Likewise, I love how it has this Papers, Please element, only without the same level of stress that makes me worry about if I’m doing the right thing and going to survive. It’s the epitome of charming.

Most importantly, after playing an array of other Playdate games, I feel like Mars After Midnight is the perfect example of what a game for the system should be. It can be played in short bursts or for an extended period lasting an hour or two. It makes use of the crank in an organic way that suits the situations, be it opening the flap to see who’s outside or trigger a broom to clear a table. The audio makes good use of the small speaker. The artistic direction makes the 1-bit restriction feel optimized. The only time I didn’t enjoy it is when I’d need to position my Martian’s tentacles just so to press the A and B buttons to jam a cartridge for a session into the machine.

Honestly, the only downside to Mars After Midnight for me is the knowledge that it won’t reach as many people as past Lucas Pope games due to the fact that this is likely going to be referenced as the signature Playdate game of 2024. This is such a pleasant and entertaining game that makes the most of the platform’s unique features. I love what it does and feel it is probably the signature game for the system now that it is here.

Mars After Midnight is available for the Playdate.

The post Review: Mars After Midnight Shows What a Playdate Game Can Do  appeared first on Siliconera.

Panic aired Playdate Update 3 and went over things to come for its handheld, and among the major reveals were a price increase and look at new games available in the just-added Catalog. Starting on April 7, 2023, it will go up to $199 from $179. There are also new games out immediately, two being free, via the Catalog storefront’s launch. The presentation also ended with a confirmation that the stereo dock peripheral is still in the works.

With regards to the price increase, it is due to costs to make a Playdate going up. The announcement noted that any orders already placed won’t be affected. Also, Panic chose to increase the price on April 7, 2023, rather than immediately, to give people “on the fence” a chance to get one at the original price.

As for the new games, you can gain access to them on your Playdate by updating the handheld to get the Catalog. Two of them, called Recommendation Dog!!! and Reel Steel, are free. They are retroactively being added to the Season One titles. However, the following additions alongside the Catalog shop release cost money.

• Bloom - $10
• The Botanist - $9
• Carve Jr. - $8
• Direct Drive - $15
• Down the Oubliette - $5
• Eyeland - $2
• Grand Tour Legends - $6
• Hidey Spot - $6
• A Joke that’s Worth 99 Cents - $1
• Playmaker - $15
• Skew: A The Last Worker Spin-off - $6
• Swap Machina - $5
• Tapeworm Disco Puzzle - $9
• Word Trip - $6

Finally, the stereo dock is still being developed for the Playdate. It will be a charger and bluetooth speaker. Panic has beta samples on-hand.

Here's the full update video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qr1_f-Q8Klw&ab_channel=Panic

Playdate is available worldwide, with a price increase coming on April 7, 2023 and new games now available in the Catalog on the handheld.

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The Playdate handheld release window ended up pushed back. Rather than releasing in 2021, they will instead show up in 2022. The first 20,000 will appear in early 2022. The next 30,000 are expected in the second half of 2022, but will involve a new U. In addition to detailing what caused the delay, Panic also went over other releases and details about the system.

First, all batteries are being replaced with different ones. This is due to a “critical battery issue” with the original one. The new ones will also last longer than originally expected. All of the Playdate handheld batteries in the 5,000 ones that were ready are being replaced by hand. Also, all other new ones will already have the new batteries.

There will also be pandemic-related delays. This caused a shift in the U used for future 2022 Playdates. Since there would have been a 730 day delay for the current parts, there will be a revised U board. The goal is to get more Playdates out in 2022 as a result. The current estimate is that the first 50,000 systems should appear in 2022, with others launching in 2023.

As for the other dates, there are two notable ones. In January 2022, the Pulp Public Beta will take place. Apparently, PCs will be fine for it. No Playdate is needed. In February 2022, the SDK will launch.

Following this delay, the first 20,000 Playdate handhelds will launch in early 2022. They were originally expected to ship at the end of 2021.

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Back in June 2021, Panic confirmed it would begin taking Playdate pre-orders at its site in July 2021. Now, the company offered exact details about when these orders will open. It also went over how the process will look and promised it won’t “sell out.” People can place an order starting at 10am PT/ 1pm ET / 5pm GMT on July 29, 2021. The first round will ship before 2021 ends.

Panic also explained how the Playdate pre-order process will work. There will be batches sold. When someone places an order, they are paying for it right away. So if someone just gets a Playdate, it will be $179. The first run will consist of about 20,000 units, and those will ship at the end of 2021. Additional orders will ship in 2022. Only select countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania will be able to place orders.

Here’s the list of countries where Playdates can be shipped. Only two can be ordered per person.

• Australia
• Belgium
• Canada
• Denmark
• Ireland
• Italy
• Japan
• Netherlands
• Poland
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• United Kingdom
• United States

The Playdate pre-orders will open on July 29, 2021. The first around 20,000 units will ship at the end of 2021.

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Before the June 8, 2021 Playdate Update, Panic confirmed we’d see pre-order details. As expected, people can order one in July 2021. It will announce the exact date a week before they open. There will also be multiple phases. Also, here will be a stereo dock accessory for the system. Its first season of games will include 24 titles as well. There will also be Playdate Pulp, an application that lets you make your own games in a browser.

A Playdate stereo dock will also be available. This is a dock that lets you attach the handheld via magnets. This is a Bluetooth speaker that works with the system or the Poolsuite FM app. It charges the system too. A pen comes with it too.

Playdate Season 1 will send two games each week for 12 weeks. These over WiFi. Here’s the first list of titles. This first season will be free with the system.

• Battle Ship Godios
• Boogie Loops
• Casual Birder
• Crankin Presents Time Travel Adventures
• Demon Quest 85
• Echoic Memory
• Executive Golf DX
• Flipper Lifter
• Forrest Byrnes: Up in Smoke
• Hyper Meteor
• Lost Your Marbles
• O
• Pick Pack Pup
• Questy Chess
• Ratcheteer
• Sasquatchers
• Saturday Edition
• Snak
• Spellcorked
• Whitewater Wipeout
• Zipper

Playdate Pulp is also in the works. It will debut in 2021. People can head to a browser to developer, design, and create games. They can then immediately the game to their handheld.

Here is the full update.

Playdate will launch at $179 and the pre-order phase will open in July 2021.

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Following months of silence, Panic announced a Playdate Update stream that will go over the new handheld. At 9am PT/12pm ET/6pm CET on June 8, 2021, people will be able to see the latest developments regarding the system. The company also went over what people can expect from it then and a few extra Playdate pre-order and games announcements.

First, the presentation will focus on the Playdate’s first season. Surprises were mentioned. However, the focus will be on offering details about pre-ordering the system and seeing what folks will be able to play.

As for actual information, all details also had to do with the Playdate pre-order opportunities and games. Pre-orders won’t open immediately after the showcase. However, when they do, people will need to have $179 for a system. It will have 4GB of space on it. Also, instead of there only being 12 games gradually released at a regular basis for people, people will get 24. These will be free s that automatically appear on your system at certain intervals.

The YouTube placeholder for the June 2021 Playdate Update is already live.

The Playdate is expected to ship in 2021. The system was announced in May 2019 and originally had a 2020 launch window.

The post Playdate Pre-order Details and Games Will Appear in Its June Update appeared first on Siliconera.

After a bit of silence, Panic has come in with a new update about the Playdate console the company is developing. This is the diminutive handheld with a monochromatic screen, two action buttons, a D-pad, a crank, and a plan to gradually roll out its included games to players. While the retail version still has a 2020 launch window, developer versions have been confirmed.

The Playdate preliminary systems are being referred to as the Playdate Developer Preview. These will be development units that won’t include any games. Their purpose will be to test games people have developed to ensure they are working properly. These will be sold on the site in a raffle-like form, with all able to order, but Panic randomly selecting which people will actually be charged, sent the SDK, given forum access, and sent a preliminary Playdate.

As a reminder, the actual Playdate will have 12 confirmed games. Each one is on the system when you get it, but they unlock over a 12 week span. Each week, you get a new one. 360, Bennett Foddy Presents Zipper, Crankin’s Time Travel Adventure, and Executive Golf will all be present. In addition, this update confirmed Panic will have a new and improved crank on the final system that will be stronger and could be fixed by an owner with hex screwdrivers.

The thing about the launch is that the Panic update doesn’t pin down when in 2020 the Playdate could arrive. The initial announcement suggested an early 2020 release window for the $149 device. This latest update only says 2020.

Playdate is in development and will be released in 2020.

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Panic, the publisher behind FIrewatch and Untitled Goose Game, has announced its first system. In early 2020, it will release the Playdate handheld. This will be a system that can fit in a person’s pocket, has two action buttons, a directional pad, and a crank for inputs, has a black and white screen, and will include 12 games. It will cost $149.

The Playdate will work in an unconventional way. All 12 games will be included with the system at launch. However, they will unlock one week at a time. Each week, a new title will be available on it. So far, a few have been confirmed. One is Crankin’s Time Travel Adventure from Keita Takahashi, the creator of Katamari Damacy and Wattam. It is a time travel game where players only use the crank to control the game. Three of the other confirmed games are 360, Bennett Foddy Presents Zipper, and Executive Golf. Zach Gage and Shaun Inman will both be among the feature game creators.

In a Twitter thread, Panic talked a bit about what led to the Playdate. The company has been working on the handheld for four years. It decided it wanted to try making hardware and made a functional prototype. Then, it worked with Teenage Engineering on a more final version of the product. Now, it was finally ready to announce it. However, the company did note that there will be more Playdate surprises to come.

The Playdate handheld will be released in early 2020. The official website is now open, for people who want to for more information.

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