Playdate Staff Picks Page 2

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.

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!

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!

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.

Sparrow Solitaire

by Mac & Matt

Staff note: Winner of the 2023 Playdate Community Awards for Best Puzzle Game—beautiful, thoughtful, and relaxing.

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!

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.

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.

Reflections: Nightingale

$3 $2 33% off

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.)

Space Master

by Snask

Staff note: It's a punishingly fast space shooter. Keep cool under pressure… there will be lots of it!

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.

Escape the Arcade

by Julie Bjørnskov

Staff note: Solving puzzles in this cute arcade themed escape room will leave you feeling cozy inside!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!