Bonkey Kong Posted July 15, 2021 Share Posted July 15, 2021 3 hours ago, Bill Loguidice said: It has no backlight. And to be fair, that hasn't been acceptable in a portable device for a lot longer than 2021. What's interesting is that for whatever reason this device is appealing to people who normally wouldn't be interested in such devices. The hook(s) they have are working. However, that's a double-edged sword I think. While that audience may be intrigued by it, I also don't think they can appreciate how some of the purposeful design decisions may affect the actual user experience. In other words, things like the lack of a backlight (as just one example) can have the potential for real frustration in actual usage, but it's not something the average person can appreciate because they haven't had exposure to such devices in a very long time, if ever. I suspect this may be one of those devices that does well out of the gate, but once it's out in the real world and people actually use the thing (and the reviews hit), the various quirks will irritate and sales will slow to a crawl. We'll see, though. Yes and to be fair, they are clearly a niche product and always cool to see something uniquely innovative. As weird as that crank looks, it is at least something that has not been done before. I don't even care that the screen is not color. Have an optional backlit version even if it costs more and I am in all the way. Hopefully they will upgrade it and release a future version with a backlight but that would surely piss off people who bought the 1st model. I just remember my frustrations with the first GBA that was not backlit. It was the worst fooling with the light bulb attachments and they never worked good. 4 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4864182 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hwlngmad Posted July 15, 2021 Share Posted July 15, 2021 Agreed with the other sentiments on the screen. In theory, the screen should be fine, but having it backlit seems like a no-brainer. Will just have to see how this goes in real world use. 3 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4864247 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osgeld Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 I did not know they even offered screens without backlight's in 2005 wait what year is it? Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868530 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cebus Capucinis Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 It has a backlight, you just have to use the crank to power it ? 1 3 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868544 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hwlngmad Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 Honestly, don't see myself getting this product anymore, especially with the Steam Deck coming out in 2022. Put down the $5 toward that product as I can honestly see lots of uses for it. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868823 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeefy Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 Pretty good write up of hands on the Playdate from Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/07/playdate-preview-you-wont-believe-how-fun-this-dorky-179-game-system-is/ 2 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868911 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cebus Capucinis Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 24 minutes ago, MrBeefy said: Pretty good write up of hands on the Playdate from Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/07/playdate-preview-you-wont-believe-how-fun-this-dorky-179-game-system-is/ B-b-but after they reviewed the VCS and Amico I was told they have zero integrity and are worthless and incorrect 24/7! How can this be so? 1 3 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868936 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeefy Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 1 minute ago, Cebus Capucinis said: B-b-but after they reviewed the VCS and Amico I was told they have zero integrity and are worthless and incorrect 24/7! How can this be so? Well at least one of those doesn't have hardware to send them for hands on play, without having people hover over you. 1 2 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868939 Share on other sites More sharing options...
digdugnate Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 5 minutes ago, MrBeefy said: Well at least one of those doesn't have hardware to send them for hands on play, without having people hover over you. Don't forget the shaking to make it work right. 2 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868946 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeefy Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 1 minute ago, digdugnate said: Don't forget the shaking to make it work right. That's the exclusive feature. Shaking, hand cranks, what is next? Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868948 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Loguidice Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 34 minutes ago, MrBeefy said: Pretty good write up of hands on the Playdate from Ars Technica. https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2021/07/playdate-preview-you-wont-believe-how-fun-this-dorky-179-game-system-is/ The battery life is brutal (on a relative basis) if the roughly 6 hours is accurate. This should be in the 10+ hours range without breaking a sweat, and frankly with the screen, processor, etc., that it has, it should be considerably more than even that. Such an odd duck. 3 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868949 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeefy Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 5 minutes ago, Bill Loguidice said: The battery life is brutal (on a relative basis) if the roughly 6 hours is accurate. This should be in the 10+ hours range without breaking a sweat, and frankly with the screen, processor, etc., that it has, it should be considerably more than even that. Such an odd duck. You saying that based on how big they've said their battery is or just on how long a handheld should last? It is an odd duck. Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868954 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Loguidice Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 1 minute ago, MrBeefy said: You saying that based on how big they've said their battery is or just on how long a handheld should last? It is an odd duck. Putting aside battery size/specs, I'm just saying that in general you would think that in 2021 a handheld with such modest specs and throwback screen would have as one of its features a battery life that exceeds something like a Nintendo Switch. Maybe one of the reasons there isn't a backlight is it would have cut that already overly modest battery life in half or something. Some things like that just aren't adding up for me. I know they're not and there are people legitimately excited about the thing for reasons of their own, but it's almost like we're being trolled with this system. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868961 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColecoJoe Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 22 minutes ago, digdugnate said: Don't forget the shaking to make it work right. I suggest you go to the doctor immediately and have that checked out! 4 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868963 Share on other sites More sharing options...
digdugnate Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 6 minutes ago, ColecoJoe said: I suggest you go to the doctor immediately and have that checked out! more than twice, as they say... 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868968 Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzip Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 17 minutes ago, Bill Loguidice said: Putting aside battery size/specs, I'm just saying that in general you would think that in 2021 a handheld with such modest specs and throwback screen would have as one of its features a battery life that exceeds something like a Nintendo Switch. Maybe one of the reasons there isn't a backlight is it would have cut that already overly modest battery life in half or something. Some things like that just aren't adding up for me. I know they're not and there are people legitimately excited about the thing for reasons of their own, but it's almost like we're being trolled with this system. Maybe the low battery life is because it's secretly mining crypto for its creators? ? 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868973 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Intellivision Master Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 44 minutes ago, Bill Loguidice said: The battery life is brutal (on a relative basis) if the roughly 6 hours is accurate. According to the Playdate website under the specs, it says battery life is 8 hours. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868983 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeefy Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 33 minutes ago, Bill Loguidice said: Putting aside battery size/specs, I'm just saying that in general you would think that in 2021 a handheld with such modest specs and throwback screen would have as one of its features a battery life that exceeds something like a Nintendo Switch. Maybe one of the reasons there isn't a backlight is it would have cut that already overly modest battery life in half or something. Some things like that just aren't adding up for me. I know they're not and there are people legitimately excited about the thing for reasons of their own, but it's almost like we're being trolled with this system. Yeah it seems fairly small so I wonder if it isn't a very big battery. We might be getting trolled. I know they have me in their web and I'm interested in seeing more. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868986 Share on other sites More sharing options...
roots.genoa Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 47 minutes ago, MrBeefy said: That's the exclusive feature. Shaking, hand cranks, what is next? Actually shipping? An underrated feature these days... 2 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868987 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Loguidice Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 4 minutes ago, roots.genoa said: Actually shipping? An underrated feature these days... They just put an email out that it will available for purchase Thursday July 29th at 10:00 AM PDT (no more than 2 to a person). They'll have about 20,000 shipping in late 2021, with the rest not hitting until 2022 and they'll "adjust production based on demand." Based on the shockingly positive buzz to date, I think that first 20,000 will be pretty coveted. (and yes, because I'm a maniac with a fascination with this kind of stuff, I'll likely try and get in on that first 20,000) 4 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868997 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeefy Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 6 minutes ago, roots.genoa said: Actually shipping? An underrated feature these days... They must not want to make it better by delaying perhaps? 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4868999 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeefy Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 2 minutes ago, Bill Loguidice said: They just put an email out that it will available for purchase Thursday July 29th at 10:00 AM PDT (no more than 2 to a person). They'll have about 20,000 shipping in late 2021, with the rest not hitting until 2022 and they'll "adjust production based on demand." Based on the shockingly positive buzz to date, I think that first 20,000 will be pretty coveted. (and yes, because I'm a maniac with a fascination with this kind of stuff, I'll likely try and get in on that first 20,000) I think they will sell through the first batch. Not sure how it would do after than. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4869002 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Intellivision Master Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 (edited) https://www.engadget.com/playdate-preview-170047433.html This is from the article. I should note that the Playdate does last a long time in between charges. I’ve left it unplugged for nearly two weeks now, and even though I’ve played a few hours every day, it still has over half of its battery life left. I also noticed an “Upside Down” mode in the Settings menu, which turns the screen, well, upside down. When asked, Sasser said that this is an experimental mode for left-handed users who want to use the crank with their left hands. He did say, however, that this is feature is still subject to change. Edited July 22, 2021 by Intellivision Master 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4869009 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBeefy Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 8 minutes ago, Intellivision Master said: https://www.engadget.com/playdate-preview-170047433.html This is from the article. I should note that the Playdate does last a long time in between charges. I’ve left it unplugged for nearly two weeks now, and even though I’ve played a few hours every day, it still has over half of its battery life left. I also noticed an “Upside Down” mode in the Settings menu, which turns the screen, well, upside down. When asked, Sasser said that this is an experimental mode for left-handed users who want to use the crank with their left hands. He did say, however, that this is feature is still subject to change. Not sure it really needs the left flip but it is neat they are plying around with the idea. 1 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4869016 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cebus Capucinis Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 I predict it sells more than VCS and Amico combined. 1 2 Quote Link to comment https://forums.atariage.com/topic/291460-playdate-a-new-handheld-console-with-a-crank/page/6/#findComment-4869292 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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