# Portable Vintage-Style Game Consoles The Playdate Console by Panic Has an Unusual Feature By Kalin Ned | Published 2019-05-27 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playdate-console References: [highsnobiety](https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/playdate-gaming-console/) & [play.date](https://play.date/) In a bid to launch a curiosity-spiking product within the parameters of the gaming industry, video game company Panic launches the Playdate console. The offering is convenient to use as it is [portable](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pocket-air-mini) and it has a pleasing aesthetic that definitely embraces the factor of [nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/analogue-3d-funtastic). When designing the exterior of its product, Panic focused on the beloved Game Boy appearance and thus, came up with a "[bright yellow old-school device](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ink-console) [that] looks a little like a shrunken [version of its inspiration]." What is interesting, however, is that the Playdate console boasts a little crank on the side. This feature is said to amplify the gaming experience. Players will have to use the leaver for some games and not for others. Regardless, this functional element is sure to bring consumer attention to the Playdate console. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 86% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Gadgets](https://www.trendhunter.com/gadgets) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Portable Gaming Consoles:** The nostalgia factor and convenience of portable gaming devices provide an opportunity for companies to innovate with new features and designs. - **Vintage-style Aesthetics:** Retro design elements can appeal to consumers seeking a unique and nostalgic gaming experience, opening up opportunities for companies to incorporate vintage styles in their products. - **Innovative Gaming Features:** The addition of unique and functional features like the crank on the Playdate console can inspire companies to create new and innovative components to enhance the gaming experience for their consumers. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Gaming:** The gaming industry can innovate by tapping into the portable gaming market and incorporating retro and innovative design elements into their products. - **Consumer Electronics:** Companies in the consumer electronics industry can explore the potential of incorporating vintage-style aesthetics and innovative features in their products to attract consumers seeking a unique and functional consumer electronics experience. - **Entertainment:** Innovative gaming features and retro design elements could extend beyond gaming consoles into other areas of entertainment, providing companies in the entertainment industry new opportunities to enhance the overall user experience. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Vibrant Retro Handheld Gaming](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pocket-classic.md) - [Nostalgic Handheld Gaming Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/my-arcade-gamestation-portable.md) - [Compact Retro-Inspired Handhelds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retro-pixel-pocket.md) - [Ultra-Compact Gamer Console Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiny-gaming-console.md) - [Industrial Handheld Gaming Consoles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pocketman-p1.md) - [Foldable Gaming Consoles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/game-boy-flip-concept.md) - [Pocket-Sized Gaming Consoles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/segadbs.md) - [Crystalline Handheld Gaming Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/analogue-pocket-transparent-limited-editions.md) - [Nostalgic Mobile Gamer Devices](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/retroid-pocket-flip.md)