The Playdate Awaits - Is The Crank To Thank?

It has been two years since the remarkable revealing of the Playdate from Panic [34] [35]. I recall being bewildered at its rather unique design and discussing what can enhance its appeal even further several months after its release. The COVID-19 pandemic may have caused delays within the Playdate’s production and preparation for marketing, but the determination to bring it into action was still there [20]. Somewhat similarly in terms of such willpower, a gaming website that got hacked and had to be taken down can always be re-established under a new name with stronger security standards [5]. Come to think of it, the Playdate’s bold shade of yellow reminds me of Bumblebee from the Transformers franchise [3]. Aside from that, much more about the handheld gaming system has been revealed over a week ago [20]. It looks like there are many great gaming-related things to experience this year, such as the outcome of Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart for the PlayStation 5 and another round of golf with Mario in Mario Golf: Super Rush [17] [27] [28]. Aside from new instalments of beloved gaming franchises, there is plenty of room for something completely new throughout the rest of the year and that is the one and only Playdate [20] [24].

As much as I praised the Playdate’s originality and how it is practically pocket-sized back in Spring 2019, I strongly believe there ought to be a left-handed edition for left-handed gamers [34] [35] [36]. [26]

What else can I say about the overall design of the Playdate? I like how the crank can also be bent outwards as it makes it more advanced than a crank on a Jack-In-The-Box toy [22]. I like how there is an “A” button and “B” button on the right side of the control panel below the screen, but I think a certain amount of us might prefer them to be the other way round [39]. As for the back of the device, we can see its production details at the bottom right corner. Do you think that once it becomes available as a left-handed edition or in any other colour besides yellow [34] [35], the production nickname for the second colour will be “Playdate PDU-02” [24]? Because I most certainly do since it would be a wise financial decision to only produce a console in some other colours and editions if the very first design sells rather successfully. Perhaps for consumers who might prefer the design to be a little bigger, there can be a second model that has an appropriately increased size named “Playdate XL” in the next generation. You know, like how the second design of the Nintendo DSi was called the “Nintendo DSi XL” since it was bigger than the first design [18] [30].

It is highly likely that the control panel of the Playdate will be easy to operate with and get used to, but I think it could have been a little more suitable to swap the “A” and “B” buttons around as the letter A always comes before the letter B, right? And also the Xbox One controller [39]. But I digress as I have recently beaten the final boss in Super Mario 64 for the second time in my entire life [19] [37]. [24]

Aside from Crankin’s Time Travel Adventures [21] [34] [35], the list of monochrome games in a large variety of premises and genres to play on the Playdate throughout about twelve weeks include:

•        Casual Birder [20] [24]
•        Boogie Loops [20] [24]
•        Whitewater Wipeout [20] [24]
•        Snak [20] [24]
•        Spellcorked [20] [24]
•        Saturday Edition [20] [24]
•        Pick Pack Pup [20] [24]

Some other forthcoming titles that has been revealed could be part of Season Two, including:

•        Mars After Midnight [20]
•        Noble Robot [20]
•        Direct Drive [20]

It is unmistakable how a lot of development teams have been willing to help enhance the legacy of such a uniquely designed gaming system. There will be a total of twenty-four games within a “first” season [21] [24], leading to some curiosity on what the second season of games would be like about a few months after the device’s official release, including the outcome of Mars After Midnight [20]. Call me crazy, but I am up for a Playdate game based on either Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss for older gamers during the run of Season Two [9] [10] [11] [12]. Oh. And whatever you do, gaming industry. Do NOT develop a port of the DS version of Sonic Colours for the Playdate…unless the next model will feature games in full colour as the “Playdate Colour” in the future [29] [38].

The idea of discovering two new games per week on the Playdate is quite engaging [20]. Do not forget to stay connected to the internet [22]! I still wonder if there could be an adaption of Tamagotchi for the system [31] [34] [35]. [24]

Oh, hello! What is this? A rehash of Mario Paint [7]? [20]

Any other forthcoming software to further increase ambition and appeal for a wide range of players out there? Well, ideally for an accessory that will be explained later, there is an application named “Poolsuite FM” that allows the player to listen to music from the Playdate [20]. There also appears to see an app that basically features a colourless clock encased in 1-bit graphics, which would be a reliable alternative to looking at a watch to check the time [24], similar to the Mario Clock and Animal Crossing Clock apps for the Nintendo DSi [15] [16]. Would you believe that there is a gaming development program that can be accessed online named “Playdate Pulp” that can inspire fellow gamers to wish to become game designers by allowing them to create their own games for their Playdates [21] [23]? It is interesting enough that another app on the Playdate will allow its screen to be shared on a computer or laptop [25]. I would be interested in trying Playdate Pulp out if I ever choose to do a postgraduate degree in computer games design. From casual software users to aspiring video game developers, the Playdate seems to be prepared to appeal to a wide range of people with different ambitions with specific types of associations.

Imagine being the host of a radio station for a Playdate connected with Bluetooth. There is something charming about monochrome music videos playing on a small gaming device. [20]

And imagine making your very own Playdate game with enough skill in Playdate Pulp [21]. [20]

The Playdate Stereo Dock is a square-shaped recharging station with a few quirks that make it unique [20] [22] [24]. Aside from how groovy the stereo dock is, the battery life of the Playdate would last about as consistently as a Nintendo DS’ battery life, especially when two players take their Playdates with them on a gaming date [22] [24]. Surely, there would be some indication of the device in need of barging, like how a reminder to change the battery in a Pixel Chix house would pop up on its screen [32]. The Playdate can be magnetically stuck onto the face of its stereo dock [20], which coated in the same shade of yellow, making it more stylised. It is compatible with Bluetooth, which will increase the Playdate’s overall sound quality. At the top, there are two holes for a pen to be inserted into [22]. The pen that comes with the stereo dock also consists of the same shade of yellow and looks quite like a stylus. Although, I highly doubt that the Playdate’s screen is a touchscreen. Furthermore, I do not know what the point of the pen being included is unless it is just a souvenir. Could there be other colours for the dock and pen eventually?

Strangely enough, the Playdate attached to the Playdate Stereo Dock looks quite like a television set you will see in the 1980s. Not only that, but the dock’s compatibility with Bluetooth will allow music to be played as if it was a traditional radio set. [24]

Similar to how my white iPad Air has a celestially designed cover to protect its screen from dust, there is a cover for the Playdate to keep it spick and span [24]. The perimeter of its flaps is consistently just about the same as the perimeter of the device. Hopefully, the cover should be easy to attach and detach from the device. The Playdate Cover ought to be eventually available in some other colours as some of us would prefer some other colour combinations over yellow and purple. For example, an ocean blue Playdate sandwiched in a frosted white cover would bring out some chilling winter vibes. I also think some covers can consist of a symbol associated with a charity, such as a red ribbon in association with World AIDS Day [13], which would be quite like how there was a Nintendo DS Lite designed in association with breast cancer awareness released in late 2008 [33]. Not only will an eventual variety of different colours for the Playdate’s model appeal to players with different tastes but some alternative colours besides purple for a protective cover can further enhance said appeal by providing a custom colour combination.

Quite a yummy electronic sandwich indeed. Wait! No! Do not eat it!! [24]

The Playdate will be available to be pre-ordered next month, leading to its official release date being marked at some point in the second half of 2021 [20] [24]. I am beginning to imagine what would happen if the Nintendo 64DD never turned out to be a commercial failure [14], such as the release of a sequel to Conker’s Bad Fur Day [4]. But more proactively, I do not doubt we curious gamers will find out what the overall gameplay experience with the first season will be like while fans of the Jurassic Park franchise will build their own Jurassic paradises in Jurassic World Evolution 2 [8]. I still strongly believe that there can be a left-handed edition with the crank placed on the left side of the device to potentially increase the comfort for left-handed players [34] [35]. Could successful sales lead to a bigger model named “Playdate XL” or a Playdate Colour that shows Playdate games in colour at some point between the mid and late 2020s? Will we be thankful for the crankful? Surely, the Playdate can provide even more ambition weeks after its release date, as long as it sells successfully. Keep gaming, gamers!

And now that jingle is stuck back in my head. Now it’s my turn [34] [35]! [20] [22]

Recharge it on the stereo deck
It seems worth quite a long wait
There'll be a clock shown in monochrome
Look! It's the Playdate [2]! [22]

References

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Crash Bandicoot Will Be On The Run In Spring 2021

In February 2020, I have encountered some leaked information about the beta version of Crash Bandicoot: On the Run before its official title came out and expressed my thoughts on such a concept [3] [31] [32]. After weeks and weeks of having to wear masks over our mouths and the bottom of our noses to protect ourselves beyond our homes [29], even whilst cosplaying [2], we have encountered the official trailer for Crash Bandicoot: On the Run and that the app was in beta testing this whole time, quite similar to how Club Penguin was in beta testing for two months it was officially released back in 2005 [9] [10]. About three more months later after the release of the first trailer for the updated version of Crash’s endless runner, it has been discovered that the true release date will be at some point in March 2021 [11]. As someone who has been into much more mobile gaming ever since after a sweet sixteenth birthday, I shall explain what is new for the goofy bandicoot’s endless runner after some testing and acclaim in Brazil and Malaysia [3] [31] [32], so sit back and have a nice cup of Wumpa Whip [8].

It is time to take a closer look at the endless runner developed by King that will be properly marketed in March 2021 [11] [17]. [3]

According to the first trailer that consists of lively audio and striking visuals, the updated version of the endless runner has new levels, including an icy location and a temple [15] [16]. By now, we are aware of the first level being set in a jungle. There is even one level that is set in Dr. Cortex’s laboratory shown in the second trailer, which is definitely a darker and more sinister version of Dexter’s laboratory [12]. There are several obstacles in that level that the player can dodge by swiping a fingertip in specific directions on the screen within some form of challenge, which is present in other endless runners, such as Lara Croft: Relic Run [28]. Quite concerningly, the gameplay in Crash Bandicoot: On The Run appears to be somewhat laggy, according to some viewers [17]. Luckily, the gameplay’s frame rate ought to be smoother on more recent mobile devices as I recall having no choice but to play Sonic Dash on my iPad Air as its frame rate of my fourth-generation iPod Touch was intolerable and the game often suddenly crashed [24] [25]. Great, now the song that was playing in the first trailer is probably going to get stuck in my head [15] [16].

Here is an updated prime example of what the gameplay is like. [3]

Let us not forget about the reward system of making a base gradually evolve [31] [32]! [3]

The app’s graphics appear to have been updated, according to the most recent artwork and the trailers [3]. Crash’s design now resembles more of his classic design from the original trilogy with differently designed ears, compared to his previous design [3]. Please do not get me wrong, but while the alternations of his design are definitely not as drastic as Princess Butter’s extreme makeover after the beta testing of MySims Kingdom for the Nintendo Wii [13], I think his previous design from the beta version of the app would have at least appealed to the fellow bandicoots who preferred other eras of Crash over the classic trilogy [31] [32]. Nonetheless, at least his animations shown in the gameplay footage in the second trailer are rather lively, thus enhancing the feeling of a cartoony adventure on a mobile device, despite the slight lagging some viewers have noticed in the second trailer [15] [16] [17]. Whether the graphics and character design have been changed after the beta testing or not, I am aware that the overall gameplay experience, including a satisfying reward system and the elimination of irritating bugs and glitches would be more important when it comes to making a mobile game successful.

Crash’s newer design for the proper marketing of Crash Bandicoot: On The Run. [3]

Strangely enough, there is a disguise for Crash that highly resembles a blue hyena with black spots [3] [15] [16], quite similar to how there are costumes for him and Coco that can be purchased digitally in Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time [22]. I suppose he can appeal to some fellow bandicoots with his yellow clothing items, pink nose and brown eyes. I am still hoping for a Japanese release of Crash Bandicoot: On The Run to consist of the exclusive design of the loveable bandicoot for Japanese mobile gamers [5] [31] [32], as well as Western players who ironically prefer that design if the app becomes successful. The same beady black eyes and extra fingers ought to apply to the blue hyena skin and Fake Crash too. I am also hoping for Coco to have her own skins in any future updates too as I love customizing characters in video games, especially female characters. Heck, the siblings’ designs from Crash of the Titans could return in a future update of the app. The blue hyena skin with striking characteristics will be available from a pre-registration deal, which I suppose is a nice promotion [3]. Call me crazy, but I think I will call the hyena version of Crash “Ram Hyena”.

Ram Hyena will be Crash Bandicoot’s new best friend [15] [16]! [3]

Sadly, the Japanese Crash is not present in Crash Bandicoot 4 [4], but there is hope for a Japanese Crash skin in the endless runner. [5]

What about the other characters in the app that follows that same formula of an endless runner? I am delighted that Coco will be playable in her classic design by the name of girl power [15] [16], just like in the N. Sane trilogy [1]. Let us not forget about the wise Aku Aku as we continue to pay our respects to Mel Winkler [19]. What about the villains? Well, how Cortex, his niece Nina and Fake Crash are portrayed as bosses in boss battles remind me of how Zazz and Dr. Eggman are bosses in Sonic Dash because of the way they show up in forms of transport that can hover in the air and how they launch obstacles at the playable character [17] [24]. Nina’s new design is quite…interesting with yellow hair clips and the red “N” on her forehead from Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled [3] [6] [17]. I am pretty sure she has written some nasty things about Crash and Coco in a burn book at some point [18]. Just the main cast reprising their roles, I am sure that the overall outcome of Crash Bandicoot: On The Run will do the usual Crash phase justice, even though the endless runner formula may not be every gamer’s can of fizzy pop [31] [32] [33].

Here are the cast members, including Scorporilla! [3]

Speaking of Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time, it has been hinted that the app’s plot will feature Dr. Neo Cortex will try and take over different dimensions. If that does not scream “Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse” [27], then I do not know what does. I believe that this expansion on the premise was to solely further promote Crash Bandicoot 4, though I have nothing against that as the reception of that game has been highly acclaimed so far due to its outstanding graphics, engaging gameplay and interesting take on an alternate version of Tawna, Crash’s love interest [4] [7]. Of course, the base that can be built by amazing progress from completing levels can pretty much be seen as an important aspect of the story when it comes to further establishing Crash and Coco’s motivations for saving the day. It is interesting to see an update of an app out of beta testing be associated with an aspect of another instalment of a franchise, even if it is just for further promoting or some Easter eggs. I am pretty sure that some future updates after the app’s marketing in Spring 2021 can provide some more expansions on the overall plot.

Crash is seen being sucked into a vortex that leads to another dimension in a cinematic scene, thus leading to what the premise of the app is about. [16]

Speaking of this version of Tawna, it would be awesome if she could be playable in the endless runner in a future update! [7]

In conclusion, the official release of Crash Bandicoot: On The Run ought to be quite a quest for fellow bandicoots who adore mobile gaming in Spring 2021, especially for those gamers outside of Malaysia and Brazil while plenty of spines of Nintendo nerds tingle from the suspense of Bowser’s Fury, which is some added content in a forthcoming port of Super Mario 3D World for the Nintendo Switch [21]. Additionally, I do not doubt that those who stick to console gaming will continue to adore Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Xbox Series [4] [22]. Speaking of PlayStation, I am more delighted that there will be a brand new Ratchet and Clank game for the PlayStation 5 titled “Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart” and I still would like to see yet another reboot of the Spyro the Dragon franchise that can appeal to all sides of the spectrum within the iconic purple dragon’s fandom on that console [23] [26] [31] [32]. Surely some fellow bandicoots may wish to just stick to the next big step in the main Crash Bandicoot games [4], even if it might be available for the PlayStation 5 soon and that is absolutely fine [14] [33]. Anyone for pancakes later?

Bring it on, Doc!! [16]

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The Racing Goes On In Mario Kart Tour

Nearly a year ago, I downloaded Mario Kart Tour on my smartphone and elaborated on what I enjoyed about the experience that marked the first time Mario and the crew raced outside of a Nintendo console or handheld [32] [33] [34] [35]. Since March 2020, Version Two helped the app maintain its cred for those Nintendo nerds who became rather hooked on it [14] [27], despite the negative feedback Version One received mostly for its questionably greedy deals [29] [40]. Looking at the reception the app has received [26], I would say that Mario Kart Tour is like Marmite. You either love it or hate it [1] [20] [28]. Have no fear because I have not spent a penny on the microtransactions and just spent five rubies on a pipe when I felt like it. Despite the negative side of the reception’s spectrum, I will always be a fan of the Mario Kart series [30] [31], especially when it comes to racing as my homegirl, Princess Peach [10] [13] [14] [15]. Moreover, fasten your seatbelt and do not step on the gas pedal for too long because we are about to zoom through a few updates on Mario Kart Tour in its second version in association with wishing the Super Mario franchise a happy 35^th anniversary [5] [16].

Here is the new title screen for Mario Kart Tour in 2020. [14]

Oh. And did mention I love this Peach badge? [14]

Well, it looks like there is finally a real multiplayer mode after we have only witnessed opponents being controlled by artificial intelligence with usernames tacked onto them [17]. A player can also type in a room code if they wish to only play with those nearby in their local area [14], similar to how a contestant can enter a code for a game of Quiplash or Quiplash 2 [6] [7]. Alternatively and quite more ambitiously, there is also the option to race against actual players around the world, either in a standard race or a gold race that requires a gold pass to compete in. As someone who has not purchased one, I can see how it can increase the reward system by providing gold badges to earn and provide another challenge with the difficulty of 200cc [10] [11] [12] [14]. I am delighted to witness my opponents racing under the genuine influence of other Nintendo nerds. However, if there are any signs of one of them being a hacker that cheats in a race, bringing back unnerving memories of hackers in online races of Mario Kart Wii [4], bring on the blue shells in the name of karma! No gold passes for them!

Three ways to finally play Mario Kart Tour with other Nintendo nerds: locally, standard worldwide and worldwide with a gold pass. [14]

Here is one of my moments of finally playing the game with other racers rather than CPUs, but with another new feature… [14]

Another new feature that increases the appeal of Mario Kart Tour for some Nintendo nerds is the option to play it whilst holding the device horizontally [14] [18]. I like how the new Landscape mode shows more of the course being raced on and can make the experience feel more like a handheld game, quite similar to Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing and Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed for iOS and Android [21] [22] [36] [37]. However, I will admit that the Landscape mode was quite difficult for me to get used to, considering how I got very used to playing the game in its standard mode [14]. It felt quite awkward to swipe one thumb across the side of my screen whilst holding my other thumb down to drift. Nevertheless, enabling Smart Steering and Steer/Drift Button Display for the Landscape mode made it feel quite like my experience with Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing for iOS [22]. If some players prefer the standard ways of playing the game vertically, good for them. Playing Mario Kart Tour horizontally may sort of feel like playing Mario Kart DS and Mario Kart 7 once the Landscape mode without Steer/Drift Button Display starts to get comfortable to get used to [10] [13].

I remained a little unsure about Landscape mode before I activated Smart Steering. I am quite glad I got at least some feeling of playing Sonic and SEGA All-Stars Racing on my iPod Touch back in those good old days. I can say that was somewhat predicted in my first article about Mario Kart Tour [31] [32]. [14]

I also like how there is option to quickly change the mode to Portrait/Landscape mode just in case a new player may not get used to one mode and hopes to quickly switch to the other whilst focusing completely on the race. As long as the variety of alternations is present [32] [33], Mario Kart Tour can still appeal to its crowd. [14]

The cups in the newer tours do not need to be unlocked, compared to the first few tours back in late 2019 [32] [33] [34] [35]. Even though a form of challenge with a familiar task of unlocking new cups by completing the first one is now absent, the option to try out any race or challenge from any cup makes the experience excitingly non-linear and gives the player more freedom [14]. The tour gifts still need to be unlocked with certain amounts of stars from racing though. For only twenty-four hours, the icon of a cup will be highlighted in gold to show that its courses will give extra coins after racing, which can potentially motivate a player who wants to save coins for buying a new racer, kart or glider from the shop. There is also now a progress bar beneath each task in the lists of challenges, which is useful for the player to know how much more of the task they need to do to receive another badge. Besides eliminating glitches after calling the Glitchbusters [38] [39], many changes with a mobile game’s update can be useful or at least interesting, including specific changes in Mario Kart Tour’s 2020 updates [14].

A fellow Mario Kart racer can now play any of the cups at the beginning of a new tour. [14]

Some progress bars are now visible to help the player know much they need to do left to earn more stars. [14]

Throughout the tours, the lists of unlockables in Mario Kart Tour just keeps getting bigger in the name of cultural cred and familiar aspects [14] [25]. I would also like to make a list of my favourite outfits worn by certain characters throughout the tours, including:

•        Rosalina’s beach dress
•        Peach’s vacation outfit
•        Pauline’s party dress
•        Mario’s musician suit
•        Rosalina’s aurora dress

My favourite karts are:

•       White Royale
•       Glided Prancer
•       Daytripper
•       Rose Queen

My favourite gliders include:

•       Blizzard Parasol
•       Butterfly Sunset
•       Pink Flower Glider

It is amazing and ambitious how the roster of racers, including clones of them in outfits that suit the theme of a tour, would continue to increase the game’s overall appeal to a large crowd of mobile gamers and Nintendo nerds with different interests if it was not for the very little chances to get a desired one [14]. I may not have unlocked much of my favourites, but I can always gaze at images of them [25]. Furthermore, some Nintendo nerds may be curious about what will be new in the next tours while some toy collectors are looking forward to being cuted out by the third series of Kitten Catfe this Autumn [8] [9].

Rosalina looks absolutely stunning in her Aurora outfit! [14]

And the blizzard parasol is beautiful! [14]

With a new option to play the game in a landscape view and a proper multiplayer mode [17] [18], I say that Mario Kart Tour might have further increased its cred to some degrees in 2020, even though some players must have stopped playing it for a while due to the disappointment of the chances of getting a high-end racer, kart or glider being too low [14]. I can say that the ongoing service for the app from Nintendo might have a coping mechanism during the first few weeks of lockdowns that were established to prevent the coronavirus outbreak from spreading any further [3]. While some doll collectors out there are delighted by the colours of the dolls within the first Rainbow High line and plenty of Sonic supporters are getting into the spirit of the Olympics by playing Sonic at the Olympic Games – Tokyo 2020 on their iOS and Android devices [2] [19] [23] [24], plenty of Nintendo nerds out there are still racing in Mario Kart Tour, possibly without spending a penny on any microtransactions. Have I been too optimistic about playing the app or can you tolerate it as much as I can? Let me know before I launch a blue shell at you!

Just look at Mario and Luigi’s cool outfits on my newest T-shirt! Could they be featured in a new tour of Mario Kart Tour soon? [30]

Strive and ride, Mario Kart Racers! [11]

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