Sony Announces Mini-PlayStation4 Controller For Kids
Sony has unveiled a new mini-controller for the PlayStation 4 aimed at children. The officially licensed controller will be made by Hori, known for their fighting sticks and controller designs for a variety of platforms.
Dubbed the Mini Wired Gamepad, the controller was revealed via a post on the official PlayStation blog. The post showcased the peripheral's design which can be described as a chubby version of the Nintendo Switch's Joy-Cons.
The PlayStation 4 Mini Wired Gamepad is not a DualShock and obviously doesn't feature that familiar vibration feedback. The controller is flat and 40 percent smaller compared to Sony's iconic joystick and lacks the touchpad, the light bar, the speaker and even a headset jack.
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The fact that it's wired also raises a few eyebrows especially due to the fact that it's aimed at children. Some already aired their concerns on the announcement page about letting kids near a 10-foot-long, permanently-attached cable. "Conveniently wired so your kids can trip on it and drop your PS4 Pro on the floor," said one commenter.
On the upside though, it's considerably cheaper than a DualShock 4 yet still has what Sony calls "essential functions." These include the right and left analog sticks, the two shoulder buttons and two triggers, a directional pad and the four action buttons. So for those looking for a cheap alternative or just looking for a smaller controller for their kids or themselves, it's definitely worth buying.
The PlayStation 4 Mini Wired Gamepad is currently priced at $30 putting it at half the cost of its bigger full-featured cousin. The low price definitely makes it less painful for parents if their kids wreck it which happens more often than not.
Sony has stated that the peripheral will be available in the United States and Canada just in time for the holidays. Hori has yet to announce plans for a wider release so European and Asian owners will probably have to wait a while.
