In this article, we take a look at Playdate’s key features and list the reasons to love this innovative handheld. For something so small, it does actually carry a lot of potential, from its colors and controls to its upcoming upgrades.
1. Playdate Features a Black and White Display
Great visuals are what some of the best video games have in common today, including beautiful colors and high resolution. Even so, gamers love revisiting classic consoles and titles, despite (or even because of) their simpler graphics. In that case, Playdate’s monochromatic display is a smart move.
On a scientific level, studies like one in the International Journal of Computer Games Technology show that the brightness of colors in video games affects players’ emotions. Playdate’s lack of colors, except for its yellow body, removes this factor from the equation.
In other words, you should be able to enjoy the black and white games without getting too emotionally involved. At the same time, the Playdate’s battery should last longer than on other gadgets.
2. Playdate Offers a Funky Design
The point of Playdate is pure fun, and its design couldn’t make that clearer. Firstly, it’s pocket-sized, so you can carry it around anywhere and everywhere.
Secondly, the bright yellow color demands attention and joy. Then, you have an actual crank (used to control some games) alongside buttons you’d find on any handheld gaming device.
All these small-but-eye-catching details create a unique gadget and experience, which is very refreshing.
3. Playdate Boasts Multiple Functions
In this case, simple doesn’t mean boring. Playdate’s processor, audio, and online connectivity are far from shabby, incorporating both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The initial package comes with a USB-C to A cable too. And, when you’re not gaming, the device works as a clock, another practical application from such an innocuous machine.
Overall, Playdate should last between 8 hours and 14 days on a single charge, depending on how you use it. Based on all these features, there’s a lot you can get out of it before the upgrades even arrive.
4. Playdate Does More Than Just Play Games
Once you run out of Playdate’s free video games, don’t worry. Panic won’t leave you hanging. More titles are on their way to keep you busy for a long time. How much they’ll cost is a different matter; one the company hasn’t discussed yet.
A cover will become available for your Playdate, as well as a stereo dock, so the fun can continue while the device charges. The dock even comes with a pen and holder. Unfortunately, it doesn’t produce paper, but we wouldn’t put it beyond Panic at this point.
At the end of the day, between your Playdate and its peripherals, you’ll have a great source of entertainment wherever you are. Gaming, music, writing, and drawing are just some of the activities this ingenious gadget brings to the table.
5. Playdate Offers Creative Opportunities
The gaming community is excited about Playdate because of its developers, as well as the device itself. Panic is going out of its way to produce a really fun-loving venture, providing not only entertainment but also opportunities for developers.
When the device launches, Panic will let you create your own black and white games. According to the development options on the Playdate website, you’ll have access to the company’s standard SDK and Pulp, a more user-friendly tool for designing games.
On top of that, there’s Caps, Panic’s bitmap font editor, and the Playdate Mirror, which display’s your gadget’s screen on your computer in real time. Basically, you’ll get to produce titles, from their gameplay to their text, and exchange creations with friends. Why not record and share experiences on Twitch too?
Another work in progress for the company is deciding how far it’s going to take these opportunities. Their device, platform, and buzz surrounding them sound like the start of a big and lively scene.
Keep an Eye Out for More Handheld Gaming Devices
Gaming on the go is a must for players and developers. Instead of following mainstream trends, however, Panic is changing the rules with its unique and multifunctional Playdate.
In the spirit of retro gaming, it’s stripping its titles and design down to the bare-but-fun essentials, while adding handy tools users might appreciate. And the community seems to like the idea a lot.
That said, you’ll probably want to do some proper gaming from now and then, so always keep an eye on the likes of Sony, Microsoft, and Valve for the next level in mobile gaming technology.
