Hundreds of stolen Playdates worth $400k found at restaurant

Panic, the handheld hardware maker and game publisher, recently retrieved $400k worth of stolen Playdates after they were misdelivered by FedEx to a construction site. The devices were subsequently stolen and later found dumped at a restaurant. Panic detailed the incident on X/Twitter, explaining the mix-up and their relief at recovering the missing shipment. While some devices might still be missing, the company teased plans to share the full story, hinting at a possible podcast episode. Playdate is renowned for its unique yellow color, black-and-white screen, and crank mechanism used to play exclusive games like Time Travel Adventures and Lost Your Marbles. Launched in 2022, Playdate doubled its projected sales in its first year and has added several new games since then.

It's still unclear why the stolen Playdates were dumped at a random restaurant. Panic is investigating the incident and plans to share more details in the future.

The Playdate device, released by Panic, also the publisher of Firewatch and Untitled Goose Game, has quickly gained a following due to its quirky design and innovative gameplay mechanics. The crank on the side of the device offers an unconventional way to interact with games, adding a layer of novelty that distinguishes it from other handheld consoles. Despite its niche appeal, the Playdate has seen significant success since its launch.