Cast your mind back, if you can, to the tender world of devices circa 2011. Apple had simply introduced Siri on the iPhone, Google was making its most significant push into social media with Google Plus, and Sony had chosen it was time to launch a real gaming smart device: the much-anticipated “PlayStation Phone,” formally dubbed the Xperia Play.
A 2011 Engadget review applauded the phones moving system and gamepad however complained its dim screen and lack of playable titles. The device had its fans, however, many of whom were delighted in 2012 by whispers of an Xperia Play 2.
Its impossible to confirm the authenticity of the gadget
The back of the gadget reveals Sonys old Xperia branding.Image: through Idle Fish
The phone definitely looks the part. Its got the exact same slide-out mechanism as the original Xperia Play and the PSP Go, a D-pad, a set of basic PlayStation buttons, left and best shoulder buttons, and Xperia branding on the back. Theres also a strange “3D” button, which was possibly for functions comparable to the stereoscopic display screen on Nintendos 3DS.
Notably, the front of the phone has capacitive buttons rather of hardware buttons. Thats constant with changes to the style of Xperia phones from 2012 onward, and it matches a dripped render of the Xperia Play 2 that did the rounds on gizmo blogs back in 2012. In other words: this might well be the genuine offer, but we have no other way of understanding for sure.
The device has actually left and right shoulder buttons, in addition to the typical D-pad and PlayStation buttons. Image: through Idle Fish
Images of the phone were shared on the Xperia subreddit by a user who found a listing for the gadget on Idle Fish, a Chinese secondhand products store run by Alibaba. The seller says the phone is just a model and theres no chance to confirm its credibility. The sellers shop, however, suggests they have some sources in the world of obsolete tech, with other listings consisting of a PS3 devkit and classic keyboards like the venerated IBM Model F.
Yes it switches on! However its not clear if it can do more than that. Image: through Idle Fish
What would have taken place if the Xperia Play had prospered?
The device had its fans, however, numerous of whom were thrilled in 2012 by whispers of an Xperia Play 2. Pictures of the phone were shared on the Xperia subreddit by a user who discovered a listing for the gadget on Idle Fish, a Chinese secondhand items store operated by Alibaba. Its got the exact same slide-out mechanism as the original Xperia Play and the PSP Go, a D-pad, a set of basic PlayStation buttons, left and ideal shoulder buttons, and Xperia branding on the back. Thats consistent with changes to the style of Xperia phones from 2012 onward, and it matches a leaked render of the Xperia Play 2 that did the rounds on gizmo blog sites back in 2012. In spite of its restrictions, the Xperia Play supposedly dealt with PlayStation video games extremely efficiently (examine out this video review of the device from 2019 for an extensive appearance) and who would not desire to have the PS1s back brochure in their pocket?
Its certainly intriguing to think, however, what may have taken place if the Xperia Play had actually discovered a market. Would video gaming mobile phones have become mainstream rather of a specific niche, if relentless, product category? In spite of its constraints, the Xperia Play supposedly dealt with PlayStation games very smoothly (take a look at this video evaluation of the device from 2019 for a thorough appearance) and who would not wish to have the PS1s back catalog in their pocket?
And in 2020, its hard to envision a devoted gaming phone ever making a resurgence. Why trouble when you can simply stream most console video games to your smartphone of choice? If the Xperia Play 2 has finally appeared, its only as a shipwreck of a long-forgotten age.
Sony apparently believed the hybrid method simply wasnt worth it. In 2011, it likewise released the PS Vita: the follower to the PSP which easily took care of any Sony fans looking for a reliable and portable video gaming experience.
