Retro and indie gaming fans have a new reason to check out the quirky Playdate handheld: the first game from Little Bot Games, called Oblings, is officially launching on the Playdate Catalog on 6 January 2026.
Oblings is a creature creation sandbox inspired by Spore, letting players design, evolve, and experiment with tiny creatures in a playful, minimalist world. While it runs natively on the Playdate’s unique black-and-white screen and crank controls, the appeal goes beyond just the hardware — the game taps into the same joy of tinkering, experimentation, and unexpected results that made Spore such a cult favourite.
No Playdate? Well, it’s still interesting
Even if you don’t have the Playdate, the concept of Oblings is interesting for anyone who loves retro and indie gaming. It’s a modern take on the sandbox creativity of older PC titles, condensed into a portable format. The announcement and trailer highlight the charming character designs and playful animations, which could easily inspire fans to imagine what this kind of creativity might look like on other platforms.
Oblings is also a reminder of how the Playdate ecosystem continues to nurture small, inventive projects that aren’t bound by conventional controls or graphics. It really looks fascinating, and while I don’t own a Playdate, it is on my list of games to check out when the time comes.
Little Bot Games shared the launch news via Bluesky, showing off a sneak peek of creature designs and teasing the full experience. With the release date now official, retro and indie fans can keep an eye out for reviews, playthroughs, and maybe even videos from friends with a Playdate.
Whether you’re a Playdate owner or just someone who loves sandbox creativity, Oblings is shaping up to be a delightfully oddball addition to the handheld’s growing library.
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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.
