The unusual Playdate console exceeded all the expectations of the creators

An unusual portable Playdate console with a functional handle has sold 53 thousand pieces since the opening of pre-orders in 2021.

According to the developers from Panic, who invented and designed it, this figure more than doubled their expectations — initially they hoped to implement only 20 thousand pieces.

“It's been a great year for Playdate. When we first started, we had no idea how many people might be interested in this unusual thing.

They asked the plant to assemble 20 thousand pieces," said project manager Greg Maletich.

Due to a shortage of components amid the coronavirus pandemic, Panic was forced to postpone the launch of Playdate for a whole year.

Today, interest in the console remains high, and developers expect that it will continue to gain an audience.

"The fact that more than 53 thousand units have been sold at the moment (and this is not the limit) is encouraging.

Today, the deadlines for completing our orders are shortened, and users get their consoles faster. So we are looking forward to an even more successful second year."

Earlier this year, Playdate got its own digital store. At the same time, Panic announced that it would increase the cost of the console by $20.

Playdate, first announced in 2019, is equipped with a "black-and-white screen with high reflectivity, crystal clear image and no backlight."

The console is designed from scratch and operates on the basis of the unique Playdate OS operating system. Game developers have received a fully functional SDK.

The main distinguishing feature of Playdate is the handle on the sidewall, which is used directly in games.

For example, in Crankin's Time Travel Adventure, you can use the handle to control time by rewinding it back and forth.

Playdate is not sold in retail — you can only order it directly from the developers.