Do you remember the Sony Xperia Play? That slider phone with built-in PlayStation controls changed the way people play games on their phones. Ayaneo is bringing back the classic shape. Their new Pocket Play device is a direct reference to that amazing design, but it’s been updated for today’s gamers.
This isn’t just a trip down memory lane. Ayaneo is joining the crowded smartphone market with a handheld gaming device. The idea behind the Xperia Play lives on, but it will have to compete with powerful mainstream phones.
Ayaneo revives the Xperia Play design.
Ayaneo has shown off its Pocket Play smartphone in full. The device functions like the original Xperia Play, opening by sliding. It transforms a regular phone into a full-fledged gaming handheld with real buttons. This model has a D-pad, face buttons, and four shoulder triggers.
The company updated the classic Xperia Play design to make it more modern. It has two touchpads, a feature of Ayaneo’s Next II handheld. Players can use these pads as virtual joysticks or for other commands. We don’t know all the details yet, but it looks like the body has slots for extra storage.
The Pocket Play is a new player in a market with established competitors. It has to compete with dedicated devices like the Asus ROG Phone series and the Redmagic 10 Pro. It also doesn’t work well with flagship phones from Apple and Samsung that can handle demanding games.
The Pocket Play will soon be available on Kickstarter from Ayaneo. We don’t yet have prices or full specs. This campaign will see if the slider shape that made the Xperia Play famous is still popular.
In the end, Ayaneo is betting that mobile gamers still like a physical control scheme. The Pocket Play brings a classic idea up to date, showing that the Xperia Play concept remains relevant. Its success will depend on the final specs, price, and how well it carries out this well-known idea.
