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A Joke That’s Worth $ 0.99
A Joke That’s Worth $ 0.99
by kamibox
Staff note: Kamibox has a reputation for making games with ridiculously simple mechanics, tantalizing difficulty, and tons of humor. With its butt-bouncing comedy, this looong joke may be the greatest example of this aesthetic.
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Skew
Skew
by Oiffy
Staff note: Experience endless fun challenges in this Playdate spin-off of THE LAST WORKER. Spin off (pun intended) with the crank and tilt your Playdate at the right angle to avoid obstacles and traps!
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Pullfrog Deluxe
Pullfrog Deluxe
by Amano
Staff note: Imagine being trapped inside a falling-bricks game. Now also imagine that you are a long-tongued frog. That's how good this game is!
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Gun Trails
Gun Trails
by Yoyogi Games
Staff note: Unbelievably fast. Brutally hard. Jaw-droppingly impressive. No Playdate game this year raised our blood pressures this high.
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Sparrow Solitaire
Sparrow Solitaire
by Mac & Matt
Staff note: Winner of the 2023 Playdate Community Awards for Best Puzzle Game—beautiful, thoughtful, and relaxing.
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EYELAND
EYELAND
by Ron Lent
Staff note: This short and charming lo-fi adventure features light puzzles, marvelous visuals, and soothing chirps. Its highly anticipated sequel is already in development!
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Word Trip
Word Trip
by Shaun Inman
Staff note: If you love word games, then this game is for you! This cute 4-letter word-building puzzle game can be picked up and played anywhere. Made by developer Shaun Inman who created the Season One action-adventure game Ratcheteer.
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Core Fault
Core Fault
by SquidGod and davemakes
Staff note: A Survivors-like on Playdate where you use the crank for movement is a genius dream idea, and the dev duo of SquidGod and davemakes absolutely deliver on the promise with a game that has us always coming back for more.
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Reflections: Nightingale
Reflections: Nightingale
by Kodiak Games
Staff note: This title stands out for its immersive, thoughtful storytelling around hospitalization and illness. (Check the content warnings beforehand if dark themes are not what you're looking for.)
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Space Master
Space Master
by Snask
Staff note: It's a punishingly fast space shooter. Keep cool under pressure… there will be lots of it!
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Doink!
Doink!
by Mostly Bits
Staff note: It's simple to learn, easy to pick up and put down, very goofy, and really fun. Never the same game twice. Make sure to turn on Kyle Mode for best results.
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Escape the Arcade
Escape the Arcade
by Julie Bjørnskov
Staff note: Solving puzzles in this cute arcade themed escape room will leave you feeling cozy inside!
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The Botanist
The Botanist
by Cadin Batrack
Staff note: Not a game, yet one of the best experiences on Playdate. Beautiful illustrations, parallax animations, and a clever use of the Playdate’s controls all combine to deliver as much surprise and delight as you’ll find on the platform.
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Faraway Fairway
Faraway Fairway
by Hedgehog Dreams
Staff note: Golf at your own pace while listening to music that'll put you in a mellow mindset. No high scores, no rushing to the end. Just you, the golf ball...and sometimes sea creatures.
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Post Hero
Post Hero
by Scenic Route Software
Staff note: Explore the world and deliver mail in this adorable adventure game. Scenic Route Software has made many other amazing Playdate games, such as Shift, Lillybug, and You're Going to Miss the Bus.
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Detective Face
Detective Face
by Chris Subagio
Staff note: Bring your Playdate to your next hangout or family gathering and play this game for some in-person quality time together! Be warned: things can get pretty competitive as you race to figure out who the spy is before the other person does.
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Tau
Tau
by Gareth Williams
Staff note: There's so much joy in playing this 360-degree space shooter, controlled entirely with the crank! You'll be shooting enemies and avoiding obstacles while listening to a great soundtrack.
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Loona Landa
Loona Landa
by Dale Thomas
Staff note: You're an alien in a spaceship attempting to collect a bunch of adorable rabbits. Don't let the cuteness fool you, though, as maintaining your health and fuel can get challenging!
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Grand Tour Legends
Grand Tour Legends
by IORAMA
Staff note: A cycling game that feels exactly like bicycling; manage your stamina strategically, muscling your way up steep hills and then coasting down the slope on the other side. Paired with the excellent krautrock soundtrack, you can almost feel the wind in your bibs.
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A Balanced Brew
A Balanced Brew
by Robert Curry
Staff note: Complete each level by balancing on a unicycle with a crank to get the guy to the coffee cart. Straightforward but challenging!