[7][8][9] The device is small, square, and yellow and features a black-and-white 1-bit display, a 4-way directional pad, two game buttons, and a mechanical crank, which can be tucked away when not in use.

A purple cover was released simultaneously with the device's 2022 launch, and later offered in an alternate aqua color.

[14] A yellow "stereo dock" that charges the Playdate and functions as a speaker and a penholder was announced in 2021,[15] but in 2024 the device was shelved.

[21] Games are created using an openly available proprietary software development kit (SDK) that includes a simulator and debugger.

[30] Initial impressions were centered around how unusual the device was, from the crank, its 1-bit screen, and its odd method of delivering games to players.

"[31] A year before the Playdate announcement, Panic co-founder Cabel Sasser sent an email to an indie video game event, also named Playdate, suggesting that the organizers consider tweaking or changing its name to avoid future confusion.

[36] Panic sold through its initial order of 20,000 units set to ship in 2021 within the first 20 minutes of its preorder.

[38] Playdate was generally well-received upon its release, with criticism notably around the lack of a backlit screen and long shipping times.

[43] On May 1, 2023, Panic announced via Twitter[44] that 53,368 Playdates had been pre-ordered so far, with 20,000 games downloaded from their on-device store Catalog.