Unlike The Big Console Makers, Playdate Is Refunding You Those Tariff Fees
GameSpot · 2026-08-26
Panic, the company behind the Playdate handheld console, is refunding customers for tariffs previously applied to their purchases, a move that contrasts with larger console makers like Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. When US President Donald Trump implemented tariffs, Panic, like many companies, increased the Playdate's price to cover the added costs. After these tariffs were deemed unlawful and refunds became available to companies, Panic confirmed it would pass the $12.36 refund directly to affected customers. This refund will be automatically processed into customer accounts within days. Panic's Cabel Sasser stated the money was "not ours to keep" and, despite the significant work involved in securing the government refund and processing customer repayments, it felt like the right decision. Other major console companies have largely kept these tariff refunds, with Sony and Nintendo even highlighting their positive impact on financial results, leading to class-action lawsuits against them.