One of the more memorable games to emerge from the Playdate scene is heading to PC, with Suborbital Salvage confirmed for a Steam release on February 11, 2026.
Developer Games Right Meow has announced that the dystopian, cat-supervised endless runner will make the jump from Playdate to PC and Steam Deck, following its original handheld launch in 2025.
From hand crank to keyboard (and controller)
Suborbital Salvage first found its audience on the Playdate, Panic’s distinctive yellow handheld, where its tight controls and dry humour helped it stand out in a growing catalogue of experimental games. Players take on the role of a corporate salvage pilot, navigating the hazardous orbit of the planet Cetos while collecting scrap — all under the watchful, judgmental gaze of a cat supervisor who takes company policy very seriously.
On Steam, the core experience remains unchanged. You pilot a fragile spacecraft through procedurally generated runs, balancing careful orientation with fast reactions. It’s an elegant idea, built around player skill rather than upgrades alone.
Endless running, Playdate-style
At heart, Suborbital Salvage is an endless runner, but one with a strong emphasis on precision flying. Mastering the ship’s orientation is essential, especially as the game ramps up the pressure with asteroids, space mines, rogue missiles and more than 50 different hazards.
There’s also the ever-present threat of a giant space fish, determined to make you its lunch if you slow down for too long. Each run is assembled from over 100 hand-crafted level segments, spread across four unique regions, ensuring that no two attempts play out quite the same way.
Progress is tracked via online leaderboards, while an optional assist mode allows players to tweak the difficulty — useful for those more interested in the game’s humour and atmosphere than pure high-score chasing.
Corporate satire, delivered by a cat
A big part of Suborbital Salvage’s charm lies in its tone. Over 100 lines of “motivational” dialogue from your feline supervisor reinforce the game’s dystopian corporate setting, adding personality without getting in the way of play. It’s funny, dry, and just irritating enough to feel authentic.
A wider question for Playdate fans
This Steam release also raises a more interesting question. I’ve wanted a Playdate ever since the handheld launched — the design, the crank, and the experimental nature of its games are hugely appealing. But with more Playdate titles gradually making their way to Steam, it’s hard not to pause and reconsider.
If standout games like Suborbital Salvage can be played comfortably on PC or Steam Deck, does the Playdate become a must-have, or a luxury? Is it worth buying the hardware for the experience itself, or is waiting the sensible option while its best games find second lives elsewhere?
There’s no clear answer yet, but it’s a fascinating dilemma — and one that probably won’t be resolved anytime soon.
Suborbital Salvage launches on Steam on February 11, 2026, bringing its skill-based flying, procedural chaos and passive-aggressive feline management to a much wider audience.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
