After facing high demand and shipping delays over the past two years, Panic is happy to announce that Playdate preorders have finally been fulfilled. Over 70,000 of the pint-sized portables have found homes so far. Even better, there’s now a limited supply available for immediate purchase on Panic’s site. No need to join the waiting list!
Greg Maletic from Panic says wait times to receive a Playdate “should be significantly shorter now.” Orders placed from here on out can expect to arrive within a few weeks rather than months. This is music to the ears of eager gamers who’ve been anticipating getting their hands on the unique handheld.
A Wider World of Play
Not only are preorders satisfied, but Playdate mania is spreading globally. Panic has expanded sales of the system to over 20 new countries across Europe and Asia. This includes Malaysia, where the Playdate is manufactured. It’s been a challenge, but Panic feels they’ve “finally got a decent answer” to make the console accessible there.
The growing Playdate community now has over 120 games to choose from via Panic’s curated online store. And over 800 more are available on Itch.io. While not massive sellers individually, Maletic says developing for Playdate has rekindled the joy of game making for many creators.
With fulfillment and availability issues addressed, Panic is focused on supporting Playdate owners with more software seasons and unexplored hardware potential down the line. For now, they’re content to see their quirky concept console find new fans in places once kept waiting. Where will your Playdate adventures take you?