PlayStation has revealed a brand new controller aimed at younger gamers – the Mini Wired Gamepad.
The controller is 40% smaller than the traditional DualShock 4 that is used with the PlayStation 4 console and has a flatter, simpler form which the gaming giant says makes it easier to fit into smaller hands.
Introducing the officially licensed Mini Wired Gamepad for PlayStation 4, designed for younger gamers: https://t.co/OlXiWW3dRw pic.twitter.com/3ve1eYc7Oh
— PlayStation Canada (@PlayStationCA) October 18, 2017
For now, it appears to only be going on sale in the US and Canada as an officially licensed product made by Hori, and comes with the same buttons as on the full size controller as well as a 10-foot cable.
What the mini device doesn’t have is any of the vibration, audio or motion sensing features – but it is priced considerably lower than a standard controller at $30 (£23).
Awesome idea! Catering a joystick to kids means even more people can enjoy PlayStation games. pic.twitter.com/E8PQYXbjge
— Jon Scarr 🇨🇦🎮 (@4Scarrs_Gaming) October 18, 2017
Probably gonna buy this cuz I have small hands and the dualshock 4 feels like a 12 inch sub in my hands.
— Tyson Freitas (@tysonfreitas) October 18, 2017
Despite the general approval of the announcement, there was also some trepidation around the layout of the controller and the attached cable.
if meant for little hands why the negative space directly in the way of little thumbs reaching the buttons? https://t.co/0aD9g0csEo
— Matt Hutchings (@MattHutchings) October 19, 2017
But these kids today aren't 80's/90's kids. They don't understand wired. They'll strangle themselves with it, yank the console. Pure carnage
— Steven Nikolic (@steven_nikolic) October 18, 2017
PlayStation confirmed it will go on sale towards the end of the year, just in time for festive family get-togethers and sibling gaming rivalries sparking back into life.
