9 must-play games for the Playdate handheld game console
Last year, the Playdate found it's way into my daily carry. I can't get enough. Here's a list of the games that are always in my pocket.
If you grew up on Game Boy, a part of you will always miss that sweet, sweet 8-bit handheld action. It really is amazing what you can do with a tiny display and a handful of pixels, and our friends at Panic have proved that again in a big way with their Playdate handheld game console.
Developers took note and hit the ground running, and the quirky handheld has been home to some of the wildest and most talked about games in the past few years (hello Mars After Midnight, I'm looking at you).
Beyond the blockbusters, there's a super deep community cranking out some really fun games at an amazing pace. Both the Playdate Catalog and Itch.io are filled to the brim with titles worthy of your pocket space— here are 9 (and a few more) that we carry with us daily.
For each game, we've got images, a little write up, game file size (if you're Playdate is loaded full like mine), price, and links to buy. Now onto the games!
Totally Safe Enhanced Jump System
To kick things off, let's start with a classic genre: the 3D platformer. Totally Safe Enhanced Jump System is a quirky little timed platformer where you'll find yourself racing to complete a level faster and without running out of fuel. It reminds me of one of my favorite Mario levels mixed with the touchiness of Lunar Lander. It's madness!
How to play: It's pretty simple, jump from platform to platform as quick as possible while minding your fuel level (the amount you can jump), and collecting gems/fuel along the way. You can use the D-pad or the crank for rotation, both of which offer a unique challenge.
Why it's clever: Playing a level only takes a minute or so, if you can complete it. This game has a rapid fire death/retry loop, one of my favorite mechanics in a little game. You'll be jump-jump-FFFF-retry-jump-jummmmmp-FFFFF'ing in no time. Totally Safe also has support for online leaderboards, so you can compare yourself to the ruthlessness of online competition.
$6 | 3.4mb
Root Bear
A lot of the games on this list are "quick to play" titles, and Root Bear is one of my favorites. There aren't really levels, per se, or any story, just you and the crank trying to best yourself. Apparently this game went viral on TikTok (20m views!), but I needed a blog to tell me that because I'm old. No shame.
How to play: Use the crank (and the crank alone) to pour perfect pints against a racing clock to earn the most tip money possible. There's a very fine balance to the speed vs accuracy of the crank, which affects how much tip you earn, and mastering it is way trickier than it sounds. Each new glass is a different shape and volume, which makes getting into any kind of rhythm a real challenge.
Why it's clever: It may not seem like it, but this is one of the most addictive games on the list. This is the king of "just one more try" games. It even won a community award for use of the crank. The gameplay isn't complex or confusing, it just requires a level of precision you always think you can top— if you just play one more game.
$3 | 15.5mb
Eyeland
I mentioned being a Game Boy kid at the top of this post, and Eyeland is definitely giving off those sweet retro handheld vibes. I first spotted this fantastic little game on Itch, but it's since made the jump to Catalog (a pattern we see with a lot of games).
How to play: It's an adventure game, where you explore a little town and find increasingly bizarre and complex situations. There's a great mix of exploration and puzzle, which reminds me a bit of the start of a Zelda or Earthbound game. The whole thing takes about an hour to play and doesn't save (you can still turn the Playdate on and off, just can't leave the game), which is actually kinda charming.
Why it's clever: The visuals and gameplay are just so charming, and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Eyeland won best Pulp game and best visual achievement in a Pulp game (Pulp is the little online editor that let's you make games in the browser, which makes this whole thing even more impressive).
$2 | 555kb
Spilled Mushrooms
When I was young I was a math nerd (cough*, math student of the year, *cough), when I was in my teens I played way too much Magic: The Gathering, and in college I sometimes paid rent with poker. That's all to say that the math-meets-strategy-card-game Spilled Mushrooms is directly up my alley.
How to play: Each game starts with 3 land cards, each containing a certain amount of mushrooms. To win, you've got just 7 days (moves) to play your animal cards successfully to collect all mushrooms. It's harder than it sounds, because each animal has certain abilities, and the lands do too, making for a very delicate dance to the finish line.
Why it's clever: Once you learn the mechanics, it's incredibly familiar, even relaxing to play a few games. Some puzzles took me dozens of attempts, and I just kept trying. There's also a really solid data side to the game, with rich charts, timers, history, daily challenges and more. I was lucky enough to playtest this game, having run into John in the Playdate Dev Forum.
$6 | 35.3mb
The Botanist (and To Dust)
Beyond the video games, I also grew up with a healthy dose of comics, or, er, graphic novels, which are totally cooler. Landing right in that sweet spot is The Botanist, a crank-comic masterpiece where you help a weird spaceman explore a weirder planet.
How to play: This one is more about vibes than complex action gameplay, and that's ok with me. You're alone on a planet and have to complete various tasks and visit vast lunar locales. Beyond the scrolling, there are some simple puzzle/path elements, which add a nice touch. There's even a free demo available on Itch.io, if that's more your speed.
Why it's clever: The simple crank-to-play format is just perfect for a quick session. I always found myself drawn in with just a few frames. There's also a sequel, called To Dust, that's just as worthy a selection. The whole thing is powered by Panels, an open source library that you can use to make your own game. Seriously, I'm kind of an idiot and I was able to get a comic compiling with Panels.
$9 | 20.3mb
Yoyozo
This one I came across on Twitter, when the dev, Matt, kindly sent a list of games to check out. I'd never played Yoyozo, and jeesh am I glad Matt sent over a link. Like so many other classic games, it's so easy to learn, but complicated to master.
How to play: For lack of a better term, you play a yoyo slapping around in space. The goal is to hit targets as they appear on screen, and the magic comes in trying to find the perfect balance of rhythm and accuracy. There's also daily leaderboards, making it a perfect play-from-the-pocket game while waiting in line at the movies or grocery store.
Why it's clever: This game is a masterclass in less-is-more. Both from a gameplay and development standpoint. It feels amazingly simple, sling-slap your yoyo all over the screen like mad— until... more nuanced gameplay starts to appear. You start to find a rhythm that feels just so satisfying to hit, you can't help but keep playing. Also, the game is the smallest file size of any on this list, which is pretty clever in its own right.
$8 | 39.4kb
OneBit Frogger
You know how some games (or watch faces, or calculator programs), you download, just to have them on the device? I owe sincere apologies for thinking that's what OneBit Frogger was. Turns out, it's one of the most consistent, fun, quick games on the Playdate. And I'm as surprised as you are.
How to play: if you've ever spent time in an arcade or on an Atari, you're familiar with Frogger. Be careful as you hop-hop-hop your way across the street and stream full of moving obsticles. As a kid, I wasn't impressed. On a tiny 1-bit screen in my hand? I get it.
Why it's clever: It's just so simple. It's like a platform game, but the entire platform is on a single screen, at once. Play for a high score. And then play again. Frogger is like Flappy Bird before there was Flappy Bird. And when you were happy.
$2 (or name your price) | 689kb
Escape the Arcade
One of my favorite game tropes is game-that-includes-other-games. One of my favorite games of the past few years was 198X, the tale of a gamer told thru arcade games. Next on my list is UFO 50, a collection of fifty (!!) games, making up a complete fictional retro library. Escape the Arcade is serving a similar experience, and it's a must-play.
How to play: At the core, this is a crank-to-play comic (actually, it runs on the same library as The Botanist above), but there's plenty more to connect with here. Over a dozen unique rooms, a fun soundtrack, and gobs of nostalgia to spare.
Why it's clever: Aside from the vibes, there's a solid 60mins of gameplay here, especially if you're soaking up the art along the way. Some rooms have puzzles, there are escape room tactics, and it all takes place inside an 80's arcade. Yes, please.
$8 | 24mb
Detective Face
One of my favorite games as a kid was Guess Who?, the classic game of asking simple questions to figure out your opponents character, before they can figure out yours. Detective Face is bringing the vibes in a fun pass-n-play format, where you just need one Playdate to play with a group.
How to play: To start, one player checks the Playdate in private, to learn the details of their hidden character. When ready, they pass the Playdate to the next player, to learn the hidden details of their own character. What follows is a zany who-dunnit of fun characters, traits, and stupid questions.
Why it's clever: while not as ubiquitous as when I was a kid, I'm a big fan of in-person multiplayer, be it pass-n-play, link cable, or just old fashioned waiting your turn. Detective Face hits of a few of these notes, and all through a deliciously goody lens.
$8 | 3.7mb
If you're still here, I'd suggest you bookmark/follow both the Playdate Catalog and the Itch.io Playdate Tag, the best way to keep up with new games. You can also follow @playdate on Twitter, or subscribe to the Clever Games (this blog, right here!) newsletter for future updates. Happy gaming!
