Mobile game on! Xperia Android 'PlayStation phone' arrives

Sony Ericsson's XPERIA Play Android smartphone

Mobile handset maker Sony Ericsson has announced its Xperia Play Android will be available from Telstra and Optus from June 8.

The company is proclaiming the Xperia Play to be the world’s first “PlayStation certified” smartphone.

It will also be available through retailers in addition to Telstra and Optus. Vodafone has mentioned the Play on its blog, but no word yet as to whether it will be offered at the carrier.

The Xperia Play runs Android version 2.3 ‘Gingerbread’ and has access to the Android Market for regular mobile apps.

The handset was first announced at the 2011 Mobile World Congress in February.

It’s design is a touch screen with a slide-out game control pad, similar to a slide-out keyboard phone.

And the games? The Play comes with six pre-installed – Star Battalion, FIFA 10, Madden NFL 11, SIMS 3, Bruce Lee and Crash Bandicoot.

Sony Ericsson is anticipating more than 60 games will be available for download at the time of launch, including Assassin's Creed – Altaïr's Chronicles, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, Worms, Need for Speed, Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction and Guitar Hero.

Reports from Europe and the US indicate the Xperia Play games aren’t compatible with those for existing PlayStation portable gaming devices.

Add to this the troubles with the PlayStation Network security breach over the past two months and Sony has every reason to hope the Xperia Play resonates well with consumers.

Managing director of Sony Ericsson Oceania, Brendan Johnston, said the company believes the XperiaTM Play is a “game changer” and it is now able to provide gamers in Australia the chance to make up their own minds.

“XperiaTM Play provides a first of its kind gaming experience on the latest version of Android. What more could you need or want?” Johnston said.

Follow Rodney Gedda on Twitter: @rodneygedda

Follow TechWorld Australia on Twitter: @Techworld_AU

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