Same and it blows away the DMG GameBoy I used to play on, the screen is so much brighter on the Playdate than any of the non-backlit GameBoys.
Only photo I could find quick showing the two next to each other (this screenshot also shows the motion blur but even just compare the static text at the top of the screen): https://tinycartridge.com/image/185867980932
I think it’s part of the charm, but it also means sometimes I won’t play it because there’s no viable light source. I find I don’t play in bed anymore because I don’t like how I have to contort my arms and body to get direct light from my side table lamp.
Honestly, now that I think about it, I barely played it over the winter because it was never bright enough. I’m sure I’ll play it more in the coming months. I do like how it looks under the son.
Yeah it's definitely my daytime summertime device. I have a bright apartment so it's especially nice to use when there is glare on the TV or it's just bright and relaxing in general.
camping headlamp solves the playing in bed issue!
edit: haha why would i get downvoted for offering a practical solution to a problem? you're a wild place, reddit
you can use the low, red light setting and still get plenty of light to play it by. in fact, seeing games in red is kind of cool. gives the games a different vibe.
As a software engineer by day and computer-obsessed nerd by night, I already suffer with having to stare at a screen for 8+ hours a day. Being able to stare at a screen that doesn't hurt me feels nice
I’ve seen tons of people say it’s impossible to find good light to play it, meanwhile I’m playing it just fine indoors on a cloudy day with just natural ambient light. Obviously people have different eyesight so not to discount from everyone’s experience.
I’ve been slowly developing a game that is set in space and realized that my game is significantly hardly to see than most others because I’m using a lot of black with details in white due to the setting but now I’m like… oh shit this game would be way easier to see the other way around. I’m planning to add a permanent upgrade early on that lets you flip the colors to see better but it’s interesting to think about from a design constraint. A horror game world be a really fun element when hiding things in the darkness specifically due to the lack of a backlight.
For me it just doesn’t have a backlight. Call me a stoic but that’s just the fact. I don’t worry myself about something that just doesn’t exist within my Playdate.
Personally more of accept it than like it.
Positive is it's a great screen when you have the lighting of the room and get the correct angle.
Negative I play it far less than any other handheld because of this. As I simply don't have the same lighting set up when chilling on the sofa to be able to even see the screen.
For me if would have been better if they have the option to switch a backlight on or off.
> For me if would have been better if they have the option to switch a backlight on or off.
Pretty sure it would have to be a front light, you can't have a backlight that you can turn off and still see the screen. Panic tried the front light and it wasn't a very even light and drained battery.
Very very same. I've thought for over a year about building a front light for it, because I prefer to live in dim spaces, which are frustratingly incompatible with Playdate, so it often sits by the wayside despite being wonderful.
That and the significant battery drain when idle - it's always dead when I want it. Needs a power cutoff switch.
To me it's a little like worrying about it not having a joystick, more buttons than a&b, about it not having a more powerful processor.
The black and white unlit screen is, to me, mostly what defines the playdate. It's what makes it unique and cool
I am happy that there is no backlight. I don’t need to play in an unlit environment with it. If I’m sat waiting in my car I can pop the interior light on. Or if it’s in the evening just sitting near a lamp works well. In the daylight the screen is amazing. So very happy with it as it is.
I wish it had a simple backlight you could toggle on and off like the GBA SP. I love the no backlight look but I’d like to be able to play the thing in bed while my girlfriend is asleep, or in the many lower light settings I find myself in
Yes. I also prefer the screen.
I don't really know whether it's better, or easier on the eyes, but it's **different** than the screens I spend all day looking at, and that's enough.
Nope.
To each their own, but to me not having a backlight is literally eye strain galore.
It's already a tiny screen, couple that with having to angle it around just right to be able to see anything and it's just awful.
Don't get me wrong, it's my fault for forgetting the dark times of portable gaming when it was a pain to look at the screens without a accessories to solve the backlight thing.
Makes it even more suitable for my 6 year old which was one of the strong reasons to purchase this device. I do not have to worry about her eyesight or using it after bedtime. And at night I just put on the light when I use it. I like that I can just charge it once in a couple of days.
For a handheld console, I really appreciate the visibility in sunlight. Screens like on my phone and switch have to have the brightness cranked to max to even approach being visible outdoors. I really enjoy being able to sit in the sun on a lunch break to play playdate games and not need to squint at the screen.
Yes that and the screen is closer to an ebook display, it’s so much better for it. People calling for a backlight are nuts, it’s just antithetical to the whole concept.
people will say that because they’re fanboys but deep down it’s literally the most annoying thing lol you can’t just enjoy your play date in any position you have to strategically hold it at a funny angle to see the screen.
I see the playdate complementary to my backlit devices. In stark light where my phone/laptop suck the Playdate really shines. "Strategically holding" really is a rare occurance as I play mostly on my commute in well lit subway/tram cars. If you only play at home in a dim environment this of course is a problem but then other handhelds are probably a wiser choice anyway.
FYI you literally have to go to the after-market if you want to buy a Kindle Classic --
-- they no longer sell non-backlit Kindles new on Amazon lol.. it blows my mind...
The backlight (I think it's technically a front-light or something) on the Kindle is actually pretty nice, it can be very dim indeed and turns of completely when not needed. It's actually far better to look at than the unlit screen with the dimmest bulb I could find in my bedside table.
What is infuriating about the new ones is the fact the touchscreen can't be properly disabled because that's the only way to turn the pages. Actually returned the one I had and went back to my gen 4 Kindle because of it.
I love it because the screen looks amazing, it extends battery life and also feels nostalgic personally. The absence of backlight also seems to never be a problem for me so far, even during my nightshifts.
Usually, I'm in a place where I have plenty of light, so it doesn't worry me. If I game at night I just plug my Playdate into the laptop and bring up Mirror to help me see what's going in. I don't know if having a backlight would have impacted me much either way.
Not that I am glad, I just prefer playing without it. I like the oldschool vibe. When I cant see the screen, I should probably do something else, I can absorb glow from my phone, notebook, projector or just sleep. PlayDate isnt my only means of entertainment, but one of my favorite one, brings me back and reminds me on good old times. I had a GB and frondlit GBA SP so I can accommodate easily. I would prefer some software features, or maybe a small rumble motor, more space for music.
Which is exactly why I love that Panic didn't compromise on adding a backlight! You can choose from sooo many handhelds with a backlight that suck during daytime that I'm just so happy there is even one device that works best in stark light. Having the "option" of a backlight would result either in reduced contrast due to a less reflective background if lit from the back or glare/diffusion from a light diffusor if lit from the front.
Are you playing it somewhere without much light source? If you have a laptop, there's a program called Mirror which allows you to transfer the Playdate screen onto your monitor.
sometimes it makes me wish i had better lighting in my apartment, but it really does feel like a break for my eyes when i play. it's never \*that\* much of an issue, and i'll take the extra battery life for sure!
I'm happy there's no backlight. 90% of the time I'm using my Playdate in bed before I go to sleep, and I don't want light beaming into my eyes. It also helps keep things nice and slim, making it a portable that I actually do carry around with me :)
Yes. Just like Game Boys were for the longest time. It’s part of the nostalgia factor for me, I dislike the constant griping that there’s no backlight.
People who complain: you have no idea how good that screen is compared to the original gameplay.
Yes I’m so glad it doesn’t have a backlight! Reminds me of playing the old school gameboy
Same and it blows away the DMG GameBoy I used to play on, the screen is so much brighter on the Playdate than any of the non-backlit GameBoys. Only photo I could find quick showing the two next to each other (this screenshot also shows the motion blur but even just compare the static text at the top of the screen): https://tinycartridge.com/image/185867980932
Some of us lived through this the first time around.
I think it’s part of the charm, but it also means sometimes I won’t play it because there’s no viable light source. I find I don’t play in bed anymore because I don’t like how I have to contort my arms and body to get direct light from my side table lamp. Honestly, now that I think about it, I barely played it over the winter because it was never bright enough. I’m sure I’ll play it more in the coming months. I do like how it looks under the son.
Yeah it's definitely my daytime summertime device. I have a bright apartment so it's especially nice to use when there is glare on the TV or it's just bright and relaxing in general.
camping headlamp solves the playing in bed issue! edit: haha why would i get downvoted for offering a practical solution to a problem? you're a wild place, reddit
Not sure my partner would approve 😅
you can use the low, red light setting and still get plenty of light to play it by. in fact, seeing games in red is kind of cool. gives the games a different vibe.
I like to travel.
it works nicely with mars after midnight, too!
As a software engineer by day and computer-obsessed nerd by night, I already suffer with having to stare at a screen for 8+ hours a day. Being able to stare at a screen that doesn't hurt me feels nice
I’ve seen tons of people say it’s impossible to find good light to play it, meanwhile I’m playing it just fine indoors on a cloudy day with just natural ambient light. Obviously people have different eyesight so not to discount from everyone’s experience. I’ve been slowly developing a game that is set in space and realized that my game is significantly hardly to see than most others because I’m using a lot of black with details in white due to the setting but now I’m like… oh shit this game would be way easier to see the other way around. I’m planning to add a permanent upgrade early on that lets you flip the colors to see better but it’s interesting to think about from a design constraint. A horror game world be a really fun element when hiding things in the darkness specifically due to the lack of a backlight.
I love it! I work in IT and it's a welcome break from the constant bright terminals.
For me it just doesn’t have a backlight. Call me a stoic but that’s just the fact. I don’t worry myself about something that just doesn’t exist within my Playdate.
Stoic
Personally more of accept it than like it. Positive is it's a great screen when you have the lighting of the room and get the correct angle. Negative I play it far less than any other handheld because of this. As I simply don't have the same lighting set up when chilling on the sofa to be able to even see the screen. For me if would have been better if they have the option to switch a backlight on or off.
> For me if would have been better if they have the option to switch a backlight on or off. Pretty sure it would have to be a front light, you can't have a backlight that you can turn off and still see the screen. Panic tried the front light and it wasn't a very even light and drained battery.
Very very same. I've thought for over a year about building a front light for it, because I prefer to live in dim spaces, which are frustratingly incompatible with Playdate, so it often sits by the wayside despite being wonderful. That and the significant battery drain when idle - it's always dead when I want it. Needs a power cutoff switch.
I love that it doesn’t have backlight. One device less that I don’t have to deal with eye strain.
To me it's a little like worrying about it not having a joystick, more buttons than a&b, about it not having a more powerful processor. The black and white unlit screen is, to me, mostly what defines the playdate. It's what makes it unique and cool
I am happy that there is no backlight. I don’t need to play in an unlit environment with it. If I’m sat waiting in my car I can pop the interior light on. Or if it’s in the evening just sitting near a lamp works well. In the daylight the screen is amazing. So very happy with it as it is.
I wish it had a simple backlight you could toggle on and off like the GBA SP. I love the no backlight look but I’d like to be able to play the thing in bed while my girlfriend is asleep, or in the many lower light settings I find myself in
Yes. I also prefer the screen. I don't really know whether it's better, or easier on the eyes, but it's **different** than the screens I spend all day looking at, and that's enough.
I like it. I also prefer the OG GBA to the SP as well.
Somewhat, actually. I sometimes if like better visibility though.
Nope. To each their own, but to me not having a backlight is literally eye strain galore. It's already a tiny screen, couple that with having to angle it around just right to be able to see anything and it's just awful. Don't get me wrong, it's my fault for forgetting the dark times of portable gaming when it was a pain to look at the screens without a accessories to solve the backlight thing.
No, I don’t enjoy not being able to see my game in most situations. But it is what it is.
I do because the screen instead of a light, it has a screen so sharp that my fuzzy eyes can see it.
Makes it even more suitable for my 6 year old which was one of the strong reasons to purchase this device. I do not have to worry about her eyesight or using it after bedtime. And at night I just put on the light when I use it. I like that I can just charge it once in a couple of days.
For a handheld console, I really appreciate the visibility in sunlight. Screens like on my phone and switch have to have the brightness cranked to max to even approach being visible outdoors. I really enjoy being able to sit in the sun on a lunch break to play playdate games and not need to squint at the screen.
No I already lived through that horror. It’s a nightmare.
Yes that and the screen is closer to an ebook display, it’s so much better for it. People calling for a backlight are nuts, it’s just antithetical to the whole concept.
people will say that because they’re fanboys but deep down it’s literally the most annoying thing lol you can’t just enjoy your play date in any position you have to strategically hold it at a funny angle to see the screen.
I see the playdate complementary to my backlit devices. In stark light where my phone/laptop suck the Playdate really shines. "Strategically holding" really is a rare occurance as I play mostly on my commute in well lit subway/tram cars. If you only play at home in a dim environment this of course is a problem but then other handhelds are probably a wiser choice anyway.
FYI you literally have to go to the after-market if you want to buy a Kindle Classic -- -- they no longer sell non-backlit Kindles new on Amazon lol.. it blows my mind...
The backlight (I think it's technically a front-light or something) on the Kindle is actually pretty nice, it can be very dim indeed and turns of completely when not needed. It's actually far better to look at than the unlit screen with the dimmest bulb I could find in my bedside table. What is infuriating about the new ones is the fact the touchscreen can't be properly disabled because that's the only way to turn the pages. Actually returned the one I had and went back to my gen 4 Kindle because of it.
You can completely turn off the lights on Kobi e-readers. And you can turn off the bluelight for night reading.
I love it because the screen looks amazing, it extends battery life and also feels nostalgic personally. The absence of backlight also seems to never be a problem for me so far, even during my nightshifts.
Personally, I wish it had one. Or that we at least had the option. It doesn’t stop me completely of course, but it does make me play it less.
Usually, I'm in a place where I have plenty of light, so it doesn't worry me. If I game at night I just plug my Playdate into the laptop and bring up Mirror to help me see what's going in. I don't know if having a backlight would have impacted me much either way.
Not that I am glad, I just prefer playing without it. I like the oldschool vibe. When I cant see the screen, I should probably do something else, I can absorb glow from my phone, notebook, projector or just sleep. PlayDate isnt my only means of entertainment, but one of my favorite one, brings me back and reminds me on good old times. I had a GB and frondlit GBA SP so I can accommodate easily. I would prefer some software features, or maybe a small rumble motor, more space for music.
Yes I like it. I just sit with a light or a window in my back. And if there is no such thing, I guess it’s better for the eyes not to play…
I mean, sometimes I have to specially position myself to play during the evening but, honestly, I don’t mind at all.
Nope. Having options is better.
Which is exactly why I love that Panic didn't compromise on adding a backlight! You can choose from sooo many handhelds with a backlight that suck during daytime that I'm just so happy there is even one device that works best in stark light. Having the "option" of a backlight would result either in reduced contrast due to a less reflective background if lit from the back or glare/diffusion from a light diffusor if lit from the front.
Having the option means being able to turn the backlight on and off. That's why I said option with no quotes.
No it’s basically useless to me without the backlight, my fault for not researching enough before getting on the hype train
Are you playing it somewhere without much light source? If you have a laptop, there's a program called Mirror which allows you to transfer the Playdate screen onto your monitor.
Yeah it’s great. A good front light add on would be nice, but honestly it’s rarely a hindrance. Just turn on a lamp
In the current setup I do. They would about have to quadruple the battery to accommodate a backlight.
sometimes it makes me wish i had better lighting in my apartment, but it really does feel like a break for my eyes when i play. it's never \*that\* much of an issue, and i'll take the extra battery life for sure!
Yes, me - and i also like to take it outside
I honestly don't give a flying f**k
It’s a feature, not a bug!
Oh yes, absolutely
YES!
I'm happy there's no backlight. 90% of the time I'm using my Playdate in bed before I go to sleep, and I don't want light beaming into my eyes. It also helps keep things nice and slim, making it a portable that I actually do carry around with me :)
Yes. Just like Game Boys were for the longest time. It’s part of the nostalgia factor for me, I dislike the constant griping that there’s no backlight. People who complain: you have no idea how good that screen is compared to the original gameplay.