We are currently experiencing a golden age for puzzle enthusiasts. From major publications like The New York Times to platforms like LinkedIn, engaging puzzles are available to spice up your morning routine alongside that first cup of coffee. Recently, however, my daily puzzle fix has been coming from an unexpected device: the Playdate.

Renowned for its quirky indie games, Panic’s bright yellow handheld is celebrated for its unique use of a crank in gameplay. However, it has also become a treasure trove of captivating puzzle games perfect for quick play sessions. Its compact size makes it a convenient companion for those idle moments when you resist the urge to scroll through your phone. Here are a few standout games that have captured my attention lately.

In tune with the Playdate’s charming eccentricity, Lexgrid offers a delightful twist on traditional word puzzles. Merging elements of word searches and crosswords, each level challenges you to identify words hidden within a letter grid, guided not by the words themselves but by cryptic clues. Adding complexity, the clues are multi-faceted; some require finding antonyms, while others seek synonyms. These clues act like word modifiers, deepening the challenge.

As you advance, the symbols and clues become more intricate, yet the game provides no explicit instructions, inviting you to unravel its mysteries on your own. This aspect of Lexgrid is both exhilarating and daunting. The satisfaction of deciphering a particularly puzzling clue is immense, though moments of struggle are inevitable. Fortunately, the game offers multiple puzzles at a time, allowing you to switch gears when one proves too perplexing.

On the other hand, Togglebot evokes the minimalist charm of Nintendo’s Boxboy series, but in an even more stripped-down form. You navigate a monochrome world as a tiny character, tasked with flipping switches to progress through each level. These compact, single-screen levels provide a satisfying puzzle experience.

Your options are limited: maneuver boxes, toggle switches, and alter your color by stepping into peculiar portals. This color-changing mechanic is crucial, as you can only traverse squares of the opposite hue. The simplicity of actions demands keen spatial awareness and encourages experimentation. Thankfully, a handy rewind feature allows you to test strategies without fear of failure.

I also love What Time Is It? Few games have such a perfectly descriptive title. It’s like a puzzle book where each page is a single image, and from that you have to determine the time of day. It could be a string of numbers, or a bunch of playing cards, or maybe even just a single word. And from there you have to work out what time it is. There is a hint system, but for the most part it’s just you staring at an image and trying to determine what it’s telling you. Inputting the time means turning the Playdate’s crank to adjust a watch, which is a fun twist, and the 50 included puzzles can be solved in any order you want. Which is good, because some of these are tough. But again, that makes your eventual victory all the more gratifying.