Sony could be working on a PlayStation phone controller just like this

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Patent tips Sony's possible plans for PlayStation mobile gaming

PlayStation phone controller patent
(Image credit: Video Game Chronicles)

Smartphone game controller grips are nothing new, with Razer’s Kishi pioneering the idea of turning your handset into a makeshift Nintendo Switch via two pieces that attach to both sides of the screen.

Now it appears that Sony is considering going after that same target market, as a new patent imagines a DualShock-shaped grip to take PlayStation gaming on the move.

The patent, first reported by Video Game Chronicles, was published by Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Japanese division and described as “a left side grip portion and a right side grip portion gripped by the left and right hands of the user." 

But it’s slightly more advanced than a familiarly shaped piece of molded plastic, with the description adding the possibility of motion controls, too. The patent describes “a shaft portion that can be tilted by the user, and detect the tilting direction and tilting amount of the shaft portion.”

More importantly, it provides an insight into Sony’s future plans, and smartphone gaming is undoubtedly an important part of that in the absence of a new Vita or PSP. 

Indeed, PlayStation boss Jim Ryan has already said that some of the company’s “iconic” IP will be coming to mobile. 

“PlayStation has a huge catalogue of diverse first-party IP that can transition to smartphone gaming and complement our AAA games or live service games,” Ryan said at the time. “We are exploring the mobile market with some wonderful PlayStation franchises so please stay tuned.”

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Alan Martin
Alan Martin

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. He also handles all the Wordle coverage on Tom's Guide and has been playing the addictive NYT game for the last several years in an effort to keep his streak forever intact.