Panic announced that the highly anticipated Playdate gaming handheld system is now readily available for purchase, following the shipment of over 70,000 pre-orders. This marks a significant milestone for the unique device, which has garnered attention for its unconventional design and a curated selection of indie games.panic
After months of hard work and logistical efforts, Panic has successfully fulfilled all pre-orders, and a limited number of Playdates are currently in stock and available for purchase on the official Playdate website, the company announced in a recent press release. Moving forward, Panic will notify customers when new batches of Playdates become available for shipping.
"Going forward, Panic will notify the public when Playdates are in-stock and ready to ship. Customers will still be able to place an order for a Playdate when it is out of stock, but will be notified that their order won’t ship until Panic has a new batch of Playdates ready to ship," Panic announced.
Founded in 1999, Panic Inc. has a rich history of developing innovative software and publishing acclaimed video games. Notable releases include Firewatch and Untitled Goose Game, and with Playdate gaming handheld, Panic continued its tradition of creating products that resonate with audiences and spark joy in the gaming community.
In a move to broaden its global reach, Panic has expanded the list of countries Playdate is shipped to, now encompassing 22 additional nations. Notably, this includes Malaysia, where the Playdate is manufactured. The newly added countries span across Europe, Asia, and Oceania, marking a significant step towards making Playdate accessible to a more diverse audience.
The list of new shipping countries includes Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, Norway, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Alongside this expansion, two new highly anticipated games have been announced for release next week: Pullfrog: Playdate Deluxe from Amano Games and Oom from developer Gregory Kogos. These additions contribute to Playdate's diverse library of titles, which now boasts over 120 games available on Catalog, the curated on-device and web-based store.
Playdate, characterized by its charming yellow design, compact size, and unique crank feature, aims to capture the essence of gaming through innovative gameplay experiences. Created with meticulous attention to detail by Panic, Playdate offers players a platform to discover and enjoy imaginative and inventive games from talented creators.
The handheld console has received significant attention from gaming enthusiasts since its initial launch, with a surge in sales propelling total units sold to 70,000. Despite a recent price increase, Playdate continues to attract customers with its appeal and innovative features.
In addition to its curated selection of games, Playdate gaming handheld encourages creativity and exploration through its suite of easy-to-use development tools, empowering users to create their own interactive experiences. With its compact size, black-and-white screen, and eight-hour battery life, Playdate offers a unique gaming experience tailored for on-the-go play.
Looking ahead, Panic plans to host a new edition of Playdate Update, a video showcase highlighting upcoming titles and features. This event promises to offer insight into the future of Playdate and further engage the growing community of users and developers.
As Playdate gains momentum with its expanded availability and growing library of games, the future looks promising for this unique handheld gaming device. With expanded availability, new games on the horizon, and ongoing support from Panic, Playdate continues to carve its niche in the gaming landscape, bringing joy and creativity to players worldwide.
Playdate gaming handheld is available for purchase at the price of $199, and it comes with 24 free games.
