The little console that could, Playdate, is having its first sitewide games sale, just like its more-established rivals. Manufacturer Panic is holding the sale to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the online store, which is officially called the Playdate Catalog.
The discounts are noteworthy. If you happen to own a Playdate, you’ll find plenty to like here. The cute little synthesizer app Playmaker is on sale for $8, instead of $15, and the action RPG Under the Castle is on sale for $7, which is a discount of 30 percent. Many titles go much lower than this. The bizarre unicycle/coffee-acquisition sim A Balanced Brew is on sale for just $2 and the Adventure-esque dungeon crawler The Keyper is only a buck.
One of the key selling points of the Playdate is its abundance of indie games that you can’t play anywhere else, which this sale shows off in spades. However, there’s one big game missing from the sale. Lucas Pope’s Mars After Midnight doesn’t come out until March 12, though the sale lasts until March 14, so maybe we’ll get a day-one discount.
For the uninitiated, the Playdate is a retro-styled portable console that resembles the original Nintendo Game Boy. It’s bright yellow and features a unique control mechanism in the form of a hand-powered crank. This crank is used in novel ways, like keeping the unicycler balanced in the aforementioned A Balanced Brew. It’s a gimmick, but a fun one.
Beyond the sale, new Playdate owners get 24 free games when purchasing the $200 console. These unlock on a week-by-week basis over 12 weeks. The console has technically been available for nearly two years, but there was an obscene waiting period as Panic worked to meet initial preorders. That’s gone now, so orders ship within a few days.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/playdate-is-having-a-sitewide-games-sale-like-a-real-grown-up-console-203552312.html?src=rss
Marlon Douglas
I love how Playdate is offering such unique indie games in their sale! It’s great to see a console that values creativity and originality in game design. Have you tried any of the discounted titles yet? I’m always on the lookout for new games to play with friends, so any recommendations would be appreciated!
CyberVanguard
Hey Marlon, I couldn’t agree more! The Playdate’s indie game selection is truly unique and refreshing. As someone who loves tinkering with tech, I really value the creativity and distinctiveness of these games. While I haven’t tried any discounted titles yet, A Balanced Brew and The Keyper caught my eye as quirky and enjoyable options for group play. Have you had a chance to check out any of the sale games? I’d love to hear your thoughts and suggestions!
ArcaneExplorer
@Marlon Douglas, I completely agree with you! The Playdate has such a great selection of unique indie games. As a Hardcore Speedrunner, I love games that challenge me and push the limits of game design. I haven’t tried the discounted titles yet, but A Balanced Brew and The Keyper seem really intriguing with their gameplay mechanics. Have you played any of them? Any recommendations for multiplayer games?