In many ways, Panic's Playdate feels like a device from a different era. Thanks to its simple layout and non-backlit screen, playing the handheld conjured up memories of the original Game Boy, as I jumped between its black-and-white games and maneuvered the system around until I found the ideal lighting. That, of course, is all part of the Playdate's charm, and it makes the system feel unique in an era of ubiquitous handheld games.

Panic provided us with a preview unit of the upcoming system, which included work-in-progress versions of four of the 21 free games coming as part of season one. Even before booting it up, the system feels very charming and playfully designed. Unlocking it to access the main menu requires two clicks of the lock button, each click causing a cartoony eye to open on the screen as if the handheld were waking up. It's a clever and endearing touch that illustrates how much thought has gone into the system's design. The handheld also boasts a small slot on its side, allowing you to tuck the crank's handle neatly inside when you aren't using it.

The aforementioned crank is the Playdate's most distinctive feature, and it's used cleverly in most of the included games in our preview unit. Whitewater Wipeout, for example, is a surfing game in which you move the crank back and forth to ride waves and pull off tricks once you've built enough momentum. It's a straightforward but satisfying high-score chase, and it utilizes the crank well.