Panic Playdate Delayed to 2022 Due to Battery Issues

Playdate Handheld Gaming Device Faces Shipping Delays

Initial pre-orders for Panic’s charming, retro-styled Playdate handheld gaming system were anticipated to ship before the close of 2021, ideally in time for the holiday season. The initial production run of 20,000 units was remarkably successful, selling out in less than 20 minutes.

Unfortunately, unforeseen complications with battery components have resulted in a delay, pushing the shipment of even these first orders into 2022.

Update to Pre-Order Customers

Panic communicated the following information in an email to those affected by the delay:

New batteries have been secured, and are currently functioning as expected. However, the process of returning the original units to Malaysia for battery replacement, and then reshipping them, will require a significant amount of time.

CPU Shortages Add to Challenges

Further complicating matters, Panic discovered a substantial backorder for the CPU originally intended for all Playdate units scheduled for 2022 delivery – with lead times extending for years.

To mitigate this issue, the company has undertaken a board redesign to accommodate an alternative CPU. This new component is reported to be more readily available and is not expected to introduce any perceptible changes to the user experience.

A complete transcript of Panic’s official delay announcement can be found here.

Order Fulfillment Outlook

While the initial 20,000 units are now slated for delivery in 2022, Panic currently anticipates that all orders placed to date will be fulfilled before the end of 2022.

Developing hardware is inherently complex. The added challenges presented by the ongoing global pandemic have further exacerbated these difficulties.

Key Takeaway: Despite these setbacks, Panic remains committed to delivering the Playdate to its eager customer base.