Backbone has announced a limited-edition version of its Backbone One controller, designed in collaboration with Kojima Productions and officially licensed by PlayStation. The Death Stranding 2 Edition is a numbered collector’s release capped at just 1,350 units worldwide, marking the first time Backbone has produced a PlayStation-licensed special edition of its mobile controller. The launch ties into the upcoming release of Death Stranding 2 and celebrates the visual world created by Hideo Kojima’s studio.
The controller is compatible with USB-C smartphones, including Apple’s iPhone 15 series and most modern Android devices, as well as streaming and remote-play platforms such as PS Remote Play, Apple Arcade, GeForce NOW, and PC. Based on the second-generation Backbone One design, it features magnetic adapters for better fit and compatibility with popular phone cases, allowing users to play without removing their device.
Backbone says the limited edition takes visual cues from Sam’s world in Death Stranding 2, blending industrial tones and Drawbridge-inspired accents for a rugged aesthetic. Each unit ships in a matching collector’s case and includes a numbered tag identifying it as part of the 1,350-piece production run. The set is priced at $159.99 and will be available on November 6 through Backbone’s website, Best Buy Drops, and the Kojima Productions Store. Global shipping covers 55 countries, and registration for updates is already open.
Functionally, the Death Stranding 2 controller shares the same improvements found in Backbone’s latest model, including a redesigned D-pad with better tactile feedback and an upgraded internal layout for reduced input lag. The companion Backbone app extends the experience with built-in tools to record and share gameplay clips, access friends’ sessions, and organize game libraries across cloud and console platforms.
This collaboration reflects how accessory makers are increasingly working with game studios to reach fans who value both performance and collectability. Backbone’s decision to produce a limited, individually numbered PlayStation edition aligns with its broader strategy of positioning mobile gaming hardware as premium, design-forward tech rather than simple add-ons. The Kojima partnership lends artistic weight to that approach, turning what might have been a routine controller refresh into a collectible item for both gamers and fans of Death Stranding.
