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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What If Mario & Sonic’s Tokyo Olympic Games Were Expanded For 2021?

It seems like the premise of two of the most iconic video game characters of all time competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic games has not aged well [24]. But you know what can somewhat provide some historical accuracy? A new mobile game titled “Mario At The Olympic Games”, along with a new update for Sonic At The Olympic Games [18]. I know that the Super Mario franchise is usually for Nintendo hardware only, but just look at how well Mario Kart Tour has done and that is a game for iOS and Android [5]. I know it would have been more consistent for some DLC to be established at some point last year after the Nintendo Switch version’s release in late 2019 [24], but titling it, “2021 Tokyo Games” and releasing it sometime later this year would restore the youth of the premise and make it far more historically accurate. Unfortunately, the developer of the game went bankrupt before its release [20], so it would be too late to develop and establish some DLC for the Switch port. Furthermore, the new date for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will begin after its reasonable postponement is July 2021 due to the eventual availability of two vaccinations against the virus [10] [24].

The premise within the arcade edition aged the worst since we had to spend a fraction of 2020 at home and the Olympics in real life had to be delayed to 2021. I cannot blame the developers since none of us expected the pandemic to happen. [25]

Looking at the older designs of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic logo that were shown from 2011 to 2016, I can see why some of us have speculated that an alternate logo for Mario & Sonic At The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games would be the official one [33] [34]. But that is beside the point of me theorising how the game’s premise will age well if there will be some additions referred to as “The Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games”. [3]

Which characters should be part of a new set of events in honour of the second Tokyo Olympic games taking place in Summer 2021? My first suggestion would be Pauline from Team Mario as she became a playable character for Mario Tennis Aces and further proved her self-empowerment back in early 2019 [6] [35] [36]. How about we also welcome Wave the Swallow back in the roster for Team Sonic since she is Jet the Hawk’s fellow racer [16] [23] [26]? Classic Sonic in 3D for the running events in the 2021 Olympics would be a real treat [13], especially in association with his 30^th anniversary [15]! I would suggest that the other four koopalings and the other four members of the Deadly Six from Sonic Lost World can be new guest characters [7] [14]. After all, Roy Koopa was a playable character in Mario & Sonic At The Rio 2016 Olympic Games [22]. Let us hope the Zor will not to too mopey to not participate in any events [14]. I believe some new playable characters for a “2021” chapter of the Tokyo Olympic games would make the mobile port more refreshing as if the chosen content were part of some DLC for the Switch port and as if AlphaDream had not been closed down [20].

Aside from how adorable Cream the Rabbit looks in her navy blue kimono [31] [32], I believe Pauline would look amazing in some new sporting attire, even though I would be cool with seeing her in her tennis outfit from Mario Tennis Aces for a new Tennis event [22] [35] [36]. [6]

Wave would look so cool in a new sporting outfit too! Right now, I am asking myself, “Despite the poor reception of Sonic Free Riders in the early 2010s [30], will the Sonic Riders series be revived for the Nintendo Switch?”. That would be a big opportunity to establish a fourth instalment of the spin-off series that would be a massive improvement. [26]

Perhaps there can be some new events for the update for Sonic At The Olympic Games as well, adding more to the “2021 Olympic Games” theme. I think there can be:

•        A Gymnastics event [24]
•        An Equestrian event [24]
•        A Boxing event [24]
•        A Surfing event [24]
•        A Skateboarding event [24]

The controls of the gymnastics event on a smartphone or tablet ought to be as functional as the controls in the main gameplay of Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX [12], which is an example of how exceptional the controls for new events should be. Zomom would be a great fit for a Boxing event with an appetite for victory and Wave would be a worthy competitor in the skateboarding and surfing events [14] [26], just like how she and the other two members of the Babylon Rogues were in the Sonic Riders series [16]. For Mario At The Olympic Games by Nintendo, a large amount of the events should be adapted from the Switch version, including the 100m event and perhaps the arcade version starring both teams [24] [25], consisting of highly similar functionality as Sonic At The Olympic Games with the same amount of competitors from Team Mario [27]. If Mario Kart can be adapted to iOS and Android [5], so can Team Mario at the Olympics.

I supposed there can also be a new chapter within the Story Mode featuring any new characters for the 2021 Olympic Games [27]. [19]

Shall we discuss what could have been for the Switch port if AlphaDream did not get shut down [20]? Characters like Pauline, Wave and the other koopalings could have been new playable characters as DLC. Another new character to play as would have been a player’s Mii. Imagine competing with custom coloured hair! I remember how my Mii did figure skating in the Wii version of Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Winter Games when I was still a high schooler [9], so it would have been great to be able to play as a Mii in the latest chapter. There also could have been more dream events, such as:

•         Dream Equestrian
•         Dream Skateboarding
•         Dream Surfing
•         Dream Archery

My Mii would have unleashed her inner Katniss Everdeen [28] [29]! Despite my previous statement, it could be possible for the software to still be available for providing some additions as downloadable content for the game in spite of AlphaDream’s bankruptcy [20], just as long as it is all backed up by another developer in association with Nintendo. But ultimately, at least we saw some great things in a new instalment rather than nothing. Call me crazy, but I am not the only one who came up with the idea of DLC for the Switch version [1] [17].

Peach and Daisy’s old athletic outfits that were seen in Mario & Sonic At The Olympic Games could have come back as part of some DLC for the Switch version for good old time’s sake [8]. [21]

I am not saying that an extra instalment and a new update for Mario & Sonic at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games or a new mobile game titled “Mario At The Olympic Games” will definitely be released at some point in late 2021, considering how much time and effort goes into video game development, but it is interesting to theorise how such concepts referred to as “Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games” can greatly restore historical accuracy [24]. We can still be grateful for ideas that are actually being brought into action, including Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl, the forthcoming remakes of Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl [2]. But still, establishing a new app based on the Tokyo Olympic Games that only features Team Mario and a new update for Sonic At The Olympic Games later this year would have not only been historically accurate but also potentially respectful to a certain degree. If you have lost a loved one to the pandemic, my condolences go out to you. Remember that you are not alone and if you are a passionate gamer, know that your passions will remind you of who you are if you feel lost. I am delighted that the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will take place this summer to make up for how they had to be delayed for the safety of every single competitor during the worldwide spread of coronavirus [24].

I stand by the fact that an update for Sonic At The Olympic Games referred to as “Sonic At The 2021 Olympic Games” would provide some new historical accuracy and restore the youth of the premise. [19]

I know that the possibility of any additions to the Mario & Sonic At The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games clan this year is extremely unlikely and the premise will remain terribly aged, but we can still be grateful for the outcomes of all ports of the game, including the Sonic-only mobile adaption [18] [19] [27]. There are plenty of seemingly great things to look forward to for the rest of 2021 and so on, including the shortly forthcoming revival of Rugrats [4] [11]. [21]

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Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Is Yet To May Win Our Hearts

Did the title of this article just rhyme? There may not be an official trailer for the second season of Green Eggs and Ham on Netflix yet [8], but there is a brand new gameplay trailer for Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart that reveals some more about the forthcoming experience. Aside from how I sang about Spider-Man just standing there on the PlayStation 4 [30] [38], I have predicted that the digital edition of the PlayStation 5 may not sell as successfully as the standard edition due to the value game discs and their cases have to game collectors Nonetheless, we are still hoping for stylish black versions of both editions to be officially available soon [37], despite how some owners can always change the white skin of the standard edition to a custom black one from Dbrand, though I somehow might not recommend that due to how cautious the procedure would need to be [3] [35]. Whether a PS5 owned by a Ratchet & Clank fan who wants to play Rift Apart is the digital edition or standard edition, the game still has a lot of potential [39] [40]. Furthermore, I shall analyse some new aspects of its plot after wishing the Surviving High School franchise and the first-ever video on YouTube a happy sweet sixteenth anniversary [6] [7] [9].  

Only over a month left until the new chapter begins! [13]

No PS5 scalping or PS5 scamming allowed…or else! [13]

The new lombax’s name is Rivet and she will be playable at specific points in the game [4] [11] [13] [17]. She will be able to use the same weapons as Ratchet, including the new Rift Tether [39] [40]. “Rivet” is quite a nice and unique name for a new heroine who I still think is a different lombax breed or may turn out to be transgender due to how Ratchet and Angela Cross were samples of sexual dimorphism within the lombax race in Going Commando [24] [39] [40], even though it has been revealed that Rivet is from another dimension. Oh no! Poor Clank appears to have lost an arm after meeting her [4] [11] [13]! How can he get it back? Speaking of arm, I would be interested to find out why Rivet’s right arm is mechanical, leading to some fascinating backstory. It is exciting how a possible new breed of the lombax race will team up with an estranged robot as an element of some new development for him. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that Rift Apart takes place after the events of Into The Nexus [20], which means Ratchet may finally get to know more of his species besides Angela and Alister Azimuth [28] [29].

I am delighted to see that there will be some brand new female empowerment that could be combined with positive transgender representation in the new chapter of Ratchet & Clank [39] [40]. How different Rivet’s tail looks backs up the theory of her being part of a new breed. [13]

Clank is still so cute, whether he is missing an arm or not! [13]

I am sensing some more A Crack In Time vibes as Ratchet is seen once again playable in Rift Apart, but with hover boots that are like the ones that belonged to his father and the determination to reunite with his best friend [4] [11] [13] [28]. Previously in the extended gameplay demo, he makes a mistake by aiming at the open Dimensionator, causing dimensions to collide [12]. I feel like there could have been an opportunity to introduce an equivalent of Clank who resides in Rivet’s dimension and will team up with Ratchet, but I suppose there might not be enough room for the plot to develop a new robotic sidekick…or bring back Klunk [24] [25]. Nevertheless, a sudden reintroduction of Klunk could somehow thicken the plot, as long as it does not seem tacked on. As for Ratchet going solo, it seems that he will not have those thick black eyebrows in the Japanese release [16], which is not really a big deal to me. It would be awesome if the game had a multiplayer mode that will allow Ratchet and Rivet to be seen voyaging and fighting either together or against each other [23]. My boyfriend would play as Ratchet and I would play as Rivet!

I wish my face would be on a red poster [4] [11] [12]. Other than that, I strongly believe setting Rift Apart sometime after the events of Into The Nexus could finally make up for how long we have waited for Ratchet to discover the lombax race [29]. [13]

Ratchet may make a slip-up, but I know he can at least try to make up for it later on in the plot, like how he did later on in the Ratchet & Clank movie and the game based on it [18] [27]. [13]

The parade balloons based on Ratchet, Clank and Captain Quark seen at the beginning of the new trailer sure are quirky and festive, but a familiar threat occurs [4] [11] [13]! Dr. Nefarious seems to be as dastardly as ever, sending our duo to a dimension where he is always the victor and free of the consequences. So much for being a playable ally in Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One [23]. And what the heck? Is there a version of him as an emperor in the dimension Rivet resides in [4] [11] [13]? No way! I feel bad for Rivet as I dread to imagine how ruthless the way of Emperor Nefarious ruling a dimension would be, although there could be an alternate dimension where Conker the Squirrel has become a happy billionaire after many more instalments of his franchise [37]. Will the two robotic tyrants team up against the reunited heroes and a new heroine in an epic boss battle like how Dr. Eggman and Dr. Robotnik did in Sonic Generations [21]? It will be up to our three heroes to snatch the Dimensionator from the two different interpretations of the mad scientist [4] [11] [12] [13]!

Wow. Imagine being hushed only to get whacked in the face [4] [11]. I sure hope I will be able to tell the differences between Dr. Nefarious and Emperor Nefarious. [13]

Who knows how Emperor Nefarious will be dethroned and how Dr. Nefarious will once again lose? [13]

My stars! Look what the digital deluxe edition has to offer to those who pre-order the game [5] [22]! There are brand new armours for Ratchet and Rivet. Why does the Android armour remind me of Bumblebee [2]? The Rebel armour for Rivet would be my favourite as it makes her as fashionable as Lara Croft [32]. To an extent, the Scavenger armour for Ratchet reminds me of Sam Fisher from the Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell series [31]. The Imperial armour for Ratchet looks like the more empowering one and I love the shade of purple on Rivet’s Hacker armour [5] [22]. As a collector’s edition, the digital deluxe edition also comes with:

•         A sticker pack
•         A digital art book
•         A digital soundtrack
•         Twenty shards of raritanium

There also appears to be a launch edition of the game that will consist of early unlocking of the Pixelizer from the 2016 reimagining and the Carbonox armour from Going Commando for both lombaxes only be available in Canada and America this June [20]. Whether the edition of the game will be regular or something special, the overall gameplay experience with a large variety of weapons, including the Burst Pistol and new aspects of character development within an engaging plot should matter the most [12].

I think my boyfriend will go for the regular edition of the game if he ever has a PS5. [5]

Look how protective and empowering the Carbonox armours are! [20]

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart will be released worldwide on the 11^th of June 2021 and begin a new era of the franchise on the PlayStation 5 before our tama-caretakers become tama-photographers with Tamagotchi Pix [1] [33]. If only the Ratchet & Clank movie was not a box office bomb, so that there would be a sequel based on the events of Rift Apart [39] [40]. Nonetheless, our fellow galactic rangers in Canada got to see an animated spin-off short titled “Ratchet & Clank: Life of Pie” earlier this year [19]. Moreover, I am still quite proud of how I wrote and published a fanfiction about Ratchet cheering me up by activating a smoothitron back in mid-2016 [41]. As much as I hope that a sequel to High School Story will be exceptional with familiar yet fresh gameplay and new stories that some new teenaged players can empathise with [10], I hope that the daring lombax and his cute robot sidekick will be reunited in Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, no matter which language dub the whole experience will be in [14] [15] [16]. Bring on some gorgeous official black editions of both the digital and standard PS5 with black controllers soon [37]!

I would not be surprised if a nickname for Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart would be “Rivet & Clank” [4] [11] [17]. [13]

We need to find out how Ratchet and Clank will reunite! Maybe on a red carpet again? Stay tuned, galactic rangers! [13]

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