Backbone partners with PlayStation to release an officially branded version of their popular mobile controller.
The PlayStation Backbone One Edition (opens in a new tab) it’s exactly what it sounds like: a Backbone controller styled after the PS5’s DualSense controller. Its white design, colored face buttons, and matte finish reflect PlayStation’s newest flagship controller, though its staggered analog sticks are a holdover from the original, more Xbox-like Backbone design.
Backbone controllers have been well received by people looking to enhance their mobile gaming experience or emulate a controller while using console remote play, and the PlayStation Edition was designed to support the same functionality, albeit only on the iPhone for now. Backbone says it was also custom made to work with the PS5’s Pulse 3D headset, which can be connected directly to the PlayStation Backbone.
“The Backbone app will also feature special integrations with the PlayStation app and PS Remote Play that make the experience even more special,” says Backbone, “like a dedicated queue with new PlayStation releases and updates and the ability to automatically link to the PlayStation app to install it on your console remotely so you can play it later via PS Remote Play.”
In a post on the PlayStation Blog (opens in a new tab)Backbone CEO Maneet Khaira reiterated that this controller “was created by our design team in collaboration with the brilliant minds at PlayStation.” Khaira also confirmed that PlayStation Backbone “will be available in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom at launch, with more countries to follow. ”
Obviously, remote play for PS5 and PS4 games has been feasible for quite some time with a variety of devices, but now PlayStation gamers (with iPhones) have access to an official gamepad with Sony’s seal of approval. This isn’t Backbone’s first partnership, it has already worked with Microsoft and Blizzard, and the company says it also aims to expand in the future, with plans to release an Android model in the fall.
Sony announced the PlayStation Stars loyalty program earlier this month, with additional rewards for PlayStation Plus members.
