Wind Up Console Playdate Debuts on the Market
Playdate is an unusual wind up console, having already sold about 20 thousand copies in pre-orders. What is behind such interest?
Does a small console that costs about $180, has no backlight, offers a single-bit screen with a resolution of 400 x 240 pixels and does not support additionally purchased games have a chance to sell well? If the developers have a good idea for their device, it can, and exceptionally well! Announced in May 2019, Playdate is a small, unusual console that can satisfy both lovers of retro as well as people who are interested in modern technologies. The device has just debuted on the market.
What is Playdate?
Playdate is a small console with a very small screen, which does not have additional lighting. The device is equipped with two function keys, a d-pad, and a crank. The latter, fortunately, is not used to run the device and you do not have to keep it turning for as long as you intend to play. It is part of the controls in games and, as can be seen from the first reviews, it is extremely sensitive. The small device features one built-in mono speaker and a headphone jack, and the developers from Panic inform about the possibility of buying additional accessories, such as a stereo speaker, which, when plugged in, makes the console look like a small retro TV.
Highlight
If Playdate has such a poor specs and in addition - let's be honest here - is expensive for what it offers, why about 20 thousand units have already been preordered? Recall that we cannot buy additional games for this bright yellow console. The main advantage of this device is that games will appear on it automatically, in the form of seasons. Every week users will receive two new titles, continuing for twelve consecutive weeks. Thus, console owners will always be accompanied by the effect of surprise, because they will never know what game they will play next time.
Order
At a price of about $180, plus shipping, we get a small, charming console, which despite poor specs offers interesting-looking games, usually characterized by a surprisingly rich audio setting. Playdate is not just a gadget to show off to your friends, but a full-fledged, yet unique mobile console that you can actually have fun with. Add to this the fact that the interest of Panic's device owners is constantly maintained by the publication of new surprise games. No wonder that Playdate has already sold about 20 thousand copies - it is simply an ambitious and very creative project. The console can be ordered directly from manufacturer's website, but be aware that further units will be delivered to buyers only in 2023.
