Panic Playdate Review - An Unfulfilled Vision 

I was experimenting with a different set up this video, and I think the microphone placement was bad, so the volume is off. My bad. I thought about re-recording, but then I was hit by a car.

"A potato with a crank" -- Craig :D GOLD

Superb analysis as always. You’re one of the best reviewers of games on the platform.

Thanks for your thoughts on the Play Date. I was never interested in it but I did want to see how you were liking it. Always happy to watch a new video when you are able to make them. Thanks

I heard someone compare the Playdate to a game jam. When developers are given restrictions it forces them to get creative. I am on week three and its been getting better with batch of games. It's a niche device that was made for a very particular kind of gamer. I hope it goes far.

That really is the thing that is keeping me from really _wanting_ the Playdate. There's no games that look enticing enough to buy it. Everything looks like little tiny bite-sized games or games whose visions are only half complete. Even the Game Boy had big games worth getting a Game Boy for.

Thanks a lot!!!!! This video really helps!!!

$180!!! There are Chinese handhelds on Amazon with an ips screen for $35 and a rechargeable battery. Can’t imagine buying one of these except to collect it as a novelty.

Thanks :) this was the best review I’ve stumbled upon, not intentionally digging for knowledge, I’ve gained so much opinion from your video that other didn’t manage to :) Thank you

I'm in the same boat there is no way I could justify the cost. But it is cool to see other devices start to crop up

I love the Playdate! 🟨

personally, i think it's a great little system. i agree with some of the gripes, but overall, i think the value is going to be in the stuff that the community creates. there's a lot of potential for people to make some really cool things on this little device.

Same here: my main interest in the Playdate was the communal experience, I was very disappointed when that got cancelled. I already knew about the high price and lack of backlight and overall simplicity of the device when preordering, so I'm glad you didn't dwell on those things. Hopefully there will be a season 2 that everyone can enjoy together 🤞(although at this point I'd settle for actually receiving the device; my preorder was in the first batch of 20,000 and was supposed to ship late-2021, but has since been bumped to "who knows when" 😿)

That's pretty neat 👌

What a neat little handheld! I really like the crank, it seems so silly but seeing it in action in game and as a charging method made it make sense for me. Also digging the setup in the background. Neku figure and No More Heroes framed is super cool!

i was never interested in this console personally, but it's cool to see your passion show in another video. would love to see your thoughts on the Steam Deck if you get one.

When I first seen the pictures of this handled I thought it was a crank up battery style.... I was so wrong.

Sorry to hear that you're underwhelmed. Are there any of the upcoming games that you are looking forward to?

The concept of this is something I should love. The size put me off, the price put me off further but honestly, not having a backlit screen in 2022 is pretty insulting I feel 😔

Fair enough. Hopefully a season 2 will solve that problem for you maybe

Great video Craig! Heard about what happened on IG, hope you’re feeling better man. 🙏

Great video

i think the design is super cute but i would SO get annoyed that the screen isn't aligned to the middle

Ive had my playdate for a few weeks now and I'm slightly underwhelmed. As you said, the shared aspect isn't really apparent with the staggering of releases for each person and the delays in manufacturing. Maybe people will be more aligned and more systems in hands come a season 2... that is if people choose to buy it. As for the hardware itself there have been many times I've wanted a short gaming session and the playdate hasn't compelled me to pick it up and play even though it should be perfect. The screen is too small the lack of a back light is disastrous for gaming in bed at night (one of my go to options for handhelds) The most enjoyable aspect and the main reason I got the playdate though, is the ability to make content for it. I'll never make anything worthwhile likely, but I've always been interested in tinkering and trying, so this gives a unique system to do that on pretty simply. I've enjoyed delving into others creations too, hopefully a scene can keep going for a while and give us a few games that are worth waiting for.

The crank could be easily replaced with an analogic stick.

I thought there would be premium games from experience developers. But it seems like panic is relying on amateurs to further the games library. I would like to see a season 2 3 or a 4 would be available to purchase, 12 game bundle for whatever price. After season one inception, there has been no nouncement for further games, what’s going on at Bennett? What are they doing?

its like $290 Canadian with shipping and USD to CAD conversion

Hope you are doing great!

I wanted one of these when they were first announced. I almost preordered one when they first went on sale. Overall I’m glad I didn’t. It seems cool but not cool enough to justify the price. It seems like more of a novelty/knickknack to me. If the price was cut in half then I could see getting one but like you said at it’s current price it’s to close to more useful/expansive devices to justify a purchase for many people.

The volume is very very low...

You should try The Legend of Zolt for the Playdate.

for people who want crate or study how to make game, Arduboy FX is better option in my opinion, its cheaper, have backlit, and great community support it.