Flipper Lifter

Much of Playdate’s season-one selection harks back to the early arcade era: easy-to-pick-up, difficultto-master challenges in which your primary goal is to beat your own best score. Flipper Lifter is one of the weaker games to fall into that category. It has you winding the crank to carry little penguins between floors of a building, picking them up and dropping them off before they get frustrated and the ensuing tantrum stalls you. Extra floors are added as you progress, while the fuller the lift becomes, the slower it moves: a smart touch, but there are more enjoyable alternatives here.