Panic Playdate Review: Tiny, Fun, Creative

The battery manufacturers were switched after Panic discovered drained power cells in early models. I have not run into issues with the battery in my test unit. The battery sat at 30 percent before the day ended, and I played on and off for several hours. I only play a game when I have some time, so you won't have to use the internet for several days.

I was able to try only four games at the time, which made my initial impressions of the console less than ideal. I have dipped my toes into all the games. You won't get instant access to every game when your Playdate arrives because the games are released in a serial manner. Two games are delivered on the same day. You will always have unrestricted access to every Season One game once they land on your machine.

It feels like Panic wants to build the kind of social engagement you typically see when a TV episode airs. I don't think that will happen, many of the games don't have the depth that would warrant that sort of excitement. It's a way to keep the Playdate fresh, with something new to look forward to for at least three months. There is no word on whether there will be a Season Two, but if there are more seasons, they will not be included in the console price.

You will be happy to know that anyone can make a game for the Playdate and release it at any time. The games are easy to side-load onto the device. There is only one game at the moment, which costs $10. It is a game where you can check in on your character's flower shop and even watch their conversations with friends and family over the course of several real-life days. I know a few people that would drink it.

You can think of a Playdate Catalog as an app store where you can find and buy games other than the ones in the first season. The open nature of the system means you can expect to find something unexpected, like this media player a developer is creating to turn the Playdate into an iPod of sorts. There is a headphone jack.

There is good news if you are wondering how accessibility-friendly the Playdate is. Plug your Playdate into the PC and launch the app, you can install it on Windows, Mac, or Linux. You can instantly see your Playdate on your computer. You can make the virtual screen larger so it is easier to see, use standard controllers to play, and have the sound route to an audio device for people with disabilities. This app allows streamers to record audio and video. When I tried it, it worked perfectly.

There is a playpen.

Much of what I have said about the hardware has not changed. The Playdate is the same size as a stack of Post-It's. The industrial design was handled by the firm Teenage Engineering, which is known for its bright and playful gadgets. It is almost like the Playdate is meant to sit on my desk as a clock rather than a handheld device.

Quality control is a concern for me. There is a scratch on the corner of the inner glass. Panic offered to replace my unit but did not mention what caused the scratch. When you get your Playdate, inspect it.