If you keep yourself up to date with the latest gaming-related news, then you would probably be familiar with this new handheld gaming device set to make its debut next year — the Playdate.
Images of the Playdate, produced by Panic Inc., have been making rounds social media, generating a lot of interest over the unique design. An homage to classic handheld gaming consoles, the Playdate looks like a pocket-sized, old school Nintendo GameBoy, and it’s definitely triggering some major nostalgia for us!
Source: playdate
An excerpt from Panic Inc’s press release reads,
“Playdate is both very familiar, and totally new. It’s yellow, and fits perfectly in a pocket. It has a black-and-white screen with high reflectivity, a crystal-clear image, and no backlight. And of course, it has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, and a headphone jack.”
“But it also has a crank. Yes, a crank: a cute, rotating analog controller that flips out from the side. It’s literally revolutionary.”
“Think of the crank like an analog stick — but one you can turn endlessly. It tucks into the device nicely and adds a new element to Playdate games that can’t be found anywhere else. It does not charge the device.”
Oh yeah, the crank! No, it doesn’t power the device. It’s a flip-out rotational controller that puts a fresh spin on fun. Some games use it exclusively, some use it with the d-pad, and some not at all. pic.twitter.com/XYW97nLZKK
— Playdate (@playdate) May 22, 2019
Source: playdate
According to Playdate’s website, the handheld console has a black and white screen, and its crank is used as a controller. The device will also have 12 brand-new games, with one game being released every week. An excerpt from their press release reads,
“The games will be delivered over-the-air, once a week for 12 weeks, and they’ll be a surprise: when the new game light flashes, you’ll never know what you’re about to play. Panic recruited some of the world’s best game designers — some well-known; others under the radar — to make games exclusively for our system. Playdate isn’t just hardware: it’s a complete experience.”
In the run-up to this device’s much-anticipated launch, it was also revealed that the Playdate is actually being developed right here in Malaysia!
This information was confirmed by an engineer at Panic Inc, Dave Hayden, who added that this console is being produced at a factory in Sungai Petani, Kedah.
Yes, in Sungai Petani! Our production consultant recommended a factory he works with there, and they're a great fit for this project. We've visited a number of times over the last year and have totally fallen in love with Malaysia. Wonderful people! Incredible food!
— Dave Hayden (@davehayden) May 25, 2019
According to its website, the Playdate will reportedly be priced at USD$149 (approx RM623), and will be ready to ship in early 2020, with pre-orders expected to open in late 2019. Meanwhile, it is unclear which countries the Playdate will be made available in.
Will you guys be purchasing the Playdate once it’s out? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
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