Pre-orders for Playdate handheld possible from July

Panic announced on Tuesday that the Playdate handheld can be reserved from July. A release date has not yet been announced, but according to the manufacturer, the console should appear this year. The Playdate will cost $179.

The Playdate is a handheld console with a black and white screen and a rotary handle. This lever should enable experimental games. In an extensive update, Panic let us know what Playdate users can expect once the console comes out.

When the Playdate was announced, the handheld was supposed to be released in 2020, but development was delayed and the release had to be postponed. It is the first console from publisher Panic, which previously released the game Firewatch.

The update also announced the first accessory for the game. It is a stereo dock where the console can be placed. The stereo dock serves as a bluetooth speaker and also charges the handheld.

Panic has devised a subscription model for the Playdate games and will release games in ‘seasons’. When purchasing the console, everyone will receive the first ‘season’ of games in which 24 titles will be released. Once the console is available, the publisher will release a new game every week.