Sony Ericsson Xperia Play review

[zerocool84]

We've reached out to Sony Ericsson asking for a roadmap of when we can expect the PlayStation Suite and more PlayStation One titles to roll up on the Xperia Play bandwagon and make it worth joining. As it stands today, on the day of review and the precipice of its launch, the Play is looking out on a pretty barren gaming landscape. The Android titles up for grabs are not exclusive to the device and don't necessarily benefit all that greatly from its unique control scheme, whereas the catalog of classic PlayStation content stops after just one entry.

So with almost no differentiating software of its own, the Play is really relying on the strength of its gamepad to round up willing participants in its gaming revolution. We concur that that's indeed the phone's main strength, with good ergonomics and an extremely durable sliding mechanism. Nonetheless, the poor quality of the screen and good, but not great, hardware spec force us to be reluctant about recommending it as a sage purchase at present. Perhaps it picks up a loyal following, from both developers and fans alike, and within a few short weeks, we're all looking at a device with a rich ecosystem of compelling tailor-made content and a ton of reasons to own it. But as for today? We'd rather spend our cash elsewhere in the Android cosmos and hold out hope for the PlayStation Phone 2.0.

http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/28/sony-ericsson-xperia-play-review/

Doesn't sound like that great of a phone, middle of the line hardware specs, crappy display, plus it's really thick so that's a huge turn-off as well. If I had the extra girth, it'd be for a keyboard not for a gamepad. If you're a real hardcore gamer then this is the phone for you but it's just not that good of a phone because you have to give up so much to get the Software/gamepad.

 

[SandEagle]

i'll probably get it. when does it come out? how much? dont see it on verizon's site yet. g2 will be going up for sale

 

[cecco]

It's a shame, I was looking forward to this but I agree, the hardware is not there. Looks like Thunderbolt so far when the time comes to upgrade.

 

[BenSkywalker]

If you're a real hardcore gamer then this is the phone for you

I'd say even that is a stretch. There are already several games this phone doesn't hit the minimum specs for with a lot more on the horizon.

Meh, give me the Atrix internals with a 4.5" SAMOLED screen and the gamepad from this phone.... is that too much to ask?

 

[SandEagle]

rumor is, no 4G. wtf, if true im holding off

 

[Monster_Munch]

It looks pretty good if you want to play classic games on console emulators. Otherwise it's a bit too expensive for the specs.

 

[finbarqs]

the controller makes sense to me... I don't really like hardware keyboards when you have a great software keyboard!

 

[SandEagle]

IGN review up:
http://gear.ign.com/articles/115/1159358p1.html

i haven't been this let down since LAIR and Assassin's Creed

pass. hopefully a better PS certified phone comes out later this year

 

[simonizor]

So this is why Google killed PSX4DROID. The Xperia Play is pretty much just a bunch of PSX games. That, plus the crappy display, meh specs, makes for a lame phone. I do like the way that sony's launcher looks, though.

 

[Fire&Blood]

I was crucified on another forum by fanboys when I said that the play was a mediocre device, glad to see people here call it like it is.

The Play is simply too late, a year ago this device wouldn't have been obsolete as it is. You can use a emulator and a bluetooth game pad with a Android phone of your choice.

In addition, Android native games have already surpassed the PS1 visual quality and sound, if one insists on PS1 games, emulation is a better solution considering the Play's lackluster hardware.

Compare Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer in the Android market to the PS1's PES and the difference is night and day. For Xperia Play to sell well in 2011 it has to have latest hardware and PS2 games, as it is right now, FPSE is a better solution.

 

[Fox5]

I was crucified on another forum by fanboys when I said that the play was a mediocre device, glad to see people here call it like it is.

The Play is simply too late, a year ago this device wouldn't have been obsolete as it is. You can use a emulator and a bluetooth game pad with a Android phone of your choice.

In addition, Android native games have already surpassed the PS1 visual quality and sound, if one insists on PS1 games, emulation is a better solution considering the Play's lackluster hardware.

Compare Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer in the Android market to the PS1's PES and the difference is night and day. For Xperia Play to sell well in 2011 it has to have latest hardware and PS2 games, as it is right now, FPSE is a better solution.

A year ago, this would have been the best Android phone on the market. Now, it's practical midrange at a premium with a gamepad.
I like the gamepad, I expect emulators will take good advantage of it. Sony messed up on it as a gaming platform though, this needed to launch with a large catalog of PSP games to have a chance.

 

[Anneka]

hey come one Sony; i had so much confidence that you won't blow this one ... So disappointed!

 

[finbarqs]

I want! Rather have a slide out controller than a slide out keypad!

 

[dguy6789]

I was excited for this but I suppose I was wrong to get hyped up. When is the last time Sony Ericsson made a good smartphone?

 

[finbarqs]

as long as this can play Sony PS1 games at 100% speed, i'm game!