If you want to try it without hardware, the SDK comes with a simulator [1] that runs on Mac/Linux/Windows. You can use a game controller with instead of the onscreen buttons, but afaik the crank is on-screen only. There are a good number of games that don't use the crank or use it in a limited function. Games purchased from Itch.io run without issue since they're DRM-free.

It is almost an ideal game system to tinker with for game development. Panic (the company that makes it) is very supportive of the SDK and ecosystem, and they even made a web tool called Pulp [2] to make creating games for it as low-friction as possible.

The community around it is outstanding and you can tell there's a lot of excitement that builds a culture of making fun and interesting games and apps. Textbook case of limitations breeds innovation. I recommend the Playdate Podcast to get an idea of the types of games it has and developers insight [2].

Hardware wise it feels like a dream, it is a bit small, but for 30min play sessions it doesn't feel cramped.

The screen looks amazing, but like others have commented, it needs the right light, otherwise it's difficult to view at the correct angle. I actually think having a backlight might actually make it worse with how the screen tech works.

1. https://play.date/dev/

2. https://podcast.play.date/

3. https://play.date/pulp/43718/edit/