HardwareHandheldsThe PS5 Pro is coming, but I’d rather head outside with the Playdate than fiddle around with shiny graphicsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
HardwareHandheldsThe PS5 Pro is coming, but I’d rather head outside with the Playdate than fiddle around with shiny graphicsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
Sonyis about to release its most powerful system yet, but I couldn’t be less excited for thePS5 Pro. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of the PlayStation 5, and the modern tech that continues to keep some of my most beloved franchises alive. Yet the industry walks further up a path that demands realism, intricate lighting, and more informed performance choices than personally preferable. I honestly feel like switching the breaker, hitting airplane mode on my phone, and heading into the wilderness with the Playdate.
At this stage, you’re probably wondering what any of this has to do with the PS5 Pro. I’m also sure some of you will be already envisioning me as the kind of person who rides around on an antique bike with aGame Boy Colorin my back pocket en route to order a sandwich served on a DVD case. I promise I’m notthatmuch of a hipster, and what I’m really aiming to discuss is the idea of not being able to see the beautiful world of gaming from the ray-traced, AI-upscaled trees.
The element of low-spec surprise
(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
I come from a working-class family who tried their utmost to supply me with ‘90s gaming goodness, but as you’d perhaps expect, my debut into console gaming started with something other than one of the big dogs. It started with the TV Boy.
Some of my Playdate favorites(Image credit: Panic)Echo: The Oracle’s ScrollMars After MidnightRecommendation DogRoot BearZipper
Some of my Playdate favorites
(Image credit: Panic)Echo: The Oracle’s ScrollMars After MidnightRecommendation DogRoot BearZipper
(Image credit: Panic)
Echo: The Oracle’s ScrollMars After MidnightRecommendation DogRoot BearZipper
Best described as a knock-off Atari 2600 that you had to manually tune in, the TV Boy is anything but a good console. It felt like a cheap handheld that they forgot to add a screen and ran off batteries, but I’ve been chasing the thrill of playing random old games on the thing for years now. Yes, incredible systems like theSegaMega Drive (Genesis) and so on led me to where I am now, it’s just that the TV Boy was the first to ignite my curiosity. Looking back, I know what I was really playing was a pallet-swapped version of Adventure, but I was still on the edge of my seat wondering what was next.
Fast-forward to today, and it’s not the idea of playing Alan Wake 2 on thePS5 Prowith ridiculously detailed lighting that excites me – it’s getting to see what the next random Playdate game I download is all about. Naturally, there’s no one forcing me not to enjoy both, it’s more that one satiates my need for surprise more than the other. What genre will today’s pick be? How have the developers used the crank this time? Will I get to pour pints for a bear with Looney Tunes expressions? The latter is what I got to enjoy this morning while enjoying a coffee on my front step playingRoot Bear, which doesn’t make guessing what I’ll play next any easier.
Of course, there’s a good reason the scene is embracing realism in games, and that’s down to the player’s thinking it’s neat. Cutting-edge graphics and frame rates can be exhilarating, and for what it’s worth, I share that same nerdy passion for tech. But if you sat a PS5 Pro and Playdate down on a table in a Morpheus style pick a pill scenario, it’s safe to say I’m guzzling down whatever color the latter ends up being.
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A nice excuse for a technical time-out
(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
More and more often these days, I find myself craving a way to enjoy games without techy brain clutter. I play a lot of games on PC, and that has ultimately turned me into a bit of a frame rate, settings-tweaking fusspot. It’s for that reason I keep my toe in the proverbial modern console water since it used to mean thinking less about performance.
One upon a time, PlayStation would simply serve games that ran how they ran and that’s it. That sort of changed with the OG PS5 making me choose between performance and fidelity modes, and the Pro is about to exacerbate the dilemma with even more advanced settings and AI shenanigans. I’m not saying I’m unwilling to deal with any of that, but since I specifically need a way to enjoy games for a while without any of that nonsense, I feel like Playdate is the answer.
The wonderful thing about the Playdate is that it serves as a way to play new indie games on something that feels distinctly offline. Sure, the handheld can connect to Wi-Fi to fetch games, but the process feels more like loading up your iPod with music before heading out for the day. At least, that’s what my routine has shaped up like recently, and it has essentially created a gaming third place of sorts for me in between doing ridiculous things with an RTX 4090 PC and kicking back on the couch with the PS5.
I started walkinga lotthis year, and while sometimes I like to take a book with me or even theSteam Deck OLEDwhen I’m feeling fancy, the Playdate pulls its weight as a travel companion. Again, I’m not saying monochrome indie romps are technically comparable to the might of a 4K ray-traced new release, but you can still play a diverse selection of games that aren’t just novel.
(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
Games likeEcho: The Oracle’s Scroll. A Metroidvania that places you in the pixellated boots of a kid on a delivery quest, Echo: The Oracle’s Soul is a testament to the Playdate as a platform. The technical limitations of the console pushed developer Bumbleborn to explore the concept of a traditional 2D adventure that embraces the same charm of peers like Celeste, which is extraordinary for a system this lo-fi. It even manages to include a Zelda: Wind Waker-inspired storyboard intro you can scroll through using the crank. C’mon, that’s pretty special.
Being able to fire up a Metroidvania like this on a handheld with bare minimum specs and a screen that doesn’t even light up feels like an answer to my prayers. You’re still getting to experience fresh capers while also having a break from the more complicated side of gaming, and that’s becoming a rarity. I mean, even OG retro consoles have become a bit convoluted thanks to fancy new scaling devices and HDMI versions of old systems, so I’m grateful that the Playdate can provide respite from the world the PS5 Pro is a part of.
(Image credit: Future / Phil Hayton)
Ultimately, I’m still all about fuelling that curious ‘90s kid within me who used to lose their mind at cloned Atari games. The Playdate is absolutely igniting that spark, and for that reason, I’d choose it over a PS5 Pro. Hopefully, some of you can relate, but no judgment to the rest of you who’d rather mess with Sony’sPSSR AI upscalingthan sit on a park bench with an oddball handheld.
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More about handhelds
This handheld is the same size as an NES controller, but I use it to play 30 years worth of retro classicsWill the next Lenovo Legion Go actually be a Steam Deck? It certainly smells that way to me
This handheld is the same size as an NES controller, but I use it to play 30 years worth of retro classics
This handheld is the same size as an NES controller, but I use it to play 30 years worth of retro classics
Will the next Lenovo Legion Go actually be a Steam Deck? It certainly smells that way to me
Will the next Lenovo Legion Go actually be a Steam Deck? It certainly smells that way to me
LatestI didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tastySee more latest►
Latest
I didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tasty
I didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tasty
I didn’t know how badly I wanted to grill and gobble up monsters until this upcoming survival roguelike made it look so tasty
See more latest►
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Forget AAA: this year, all I wanted to do was optimize my conveyor belts in Satisfactory
2024 was the year The Legend of Zelda lived up to its name, and the result was a bit like mixing rock salt and floral nectar
Amid Oscar buzz, Zoe Saldana opens up on her new perspective on Hollywood and why she’s only really proud of Avatar and Emilia Pérez: “I think I just have to accept who I am as a creative person”
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands"5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3
Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5
Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”