The Sony Leonardo Controller Is A Fantastic Idea to Make PlayStation More Accessible

By Amy D

Posted on January 5, 2023

You’d think Sony didn’t exactly reinvent the wheel with the PlayStation Leonardo controller but really, for gamers who need more accessible controllers, they actually did.

You see, up until now, on PlayStation there was no equivalent to Microsoft’s Xbox Adaptive Controller.

Meet the Project Leonardo controller, a fully customizable PlayStation controller designed to be accessible to any gamer, no matter their challenges.

Thanks to the circular design with swappable parts and multiple connectivity issues, gamers can transform the Project Leonardo controller to better suit their needs.

They can add breath tubes, switches, and the controller can pair with another Leonardo model or a traditional controller to add more functionality.

Sony says they worked with accessibility groups AbleGamers, Special Effect and Stack Up to make sure as many gamers as possible can benefit from this new type of controller.

“We finally settled on a ‘split controller’ design that allows near free-form left/right thumbstick repositionability, can be used without needing to be held, and features very flexible button and stick cap swapping. The controller can also flexibly accept combinations of accessibility accessories to create a unique aesthetic,” said Sony designer So Morimoto in a blog post.

Also read: L’Oréal Introduces Hapta, A Computerized Lipstick Applicator For People with Limited Mobility

Right now, the PlayStation Project Leonard is still in development and the company didn’t say when to expect this new PS controller or how much it will cost. Hopefully it will be released by the end of the year and community feedback will help improve it even more.

Also read: At CES, Sony Declares PlayStation 5 Shortage Is Over