Playdate Season Two Unveils New Games Including Subset’s Arcade Action Title

Playdate’s second season kicks off with 12 new games, including an arcade action title from Subset Games, available for pre-order at $39.

Guess what? Playdate’s back with its second season of weekly game drops, kicking off on May 29. This time around, it’s not just fun and games—well, actually, it is, but it’ll cost you $39. Yep, there’s a price tag this season, and you can already snag it via the Playdate Catalog. And here’s the kicker: Panic, the brains behind the console, is hinting at something sneaky up their sleeve. Talk about building the hype!

During a recent shindig, Panic gave us a sneak peek at four games that’ll be part of the lineup. First up, Fulcrum Defender from Subset Games (the geniuses behind FTL and Into The Breach). Imagine using that quirky crank to fend off waves of baddies—sounds simple until you’re in the thick of it, scrambling for upgrades.

Then there’s Dig! Dig! Dino!—a chill puzzle game where you’re basically a dinosaur bone hunter. Made by the folks who brought us Arco and Flinthook, it’s all about digging up treasures and selling them for cool upgrades. And for the nostalgia buffs, Pixel Ghost is remaking Shadowgate as Shadowgate PD, complete with fresh tunes and art. Because why fix what isn’t broken, right?

But wait, there’s more. Taria & Como is a puzzle platformer with a twist—swinging mechanics, developed with JuVee Productions. Kip Henderson, the creator, is aiming to shake up how disability is portrayed in games. No tired clichés here, just real, nuanced storytelling.

And because you can’t have too much of a good thing, Panic also unveiled a snazzy new yellow cover for the Playdate. At $34, it’s a splash of sunshine to go with your purple, blue, or pizza-themed console. Just a heads-up: the console itself now costs $229 (ouch), but if you’re lucky, you might find a refurbished one for the original $179. Bargain hunters, assemble!