How Tos

How to find Xperia Play-optimised games

Pressing all the right buttons

How to find Xperia Play-optimised games
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So you’ve just picked up your shiny new Xperia Play and you’re still trying to find your way around its many settings and quirks.

Quite frankly, you’re baffled.

Maybe you’re new to Android, or maybe you just haven’t got used to the minor layout changes in the Xperia’s OS - either way, the thing you’re most keen to do is get some games. Why else would you be here, right?

The UK version of the Xperia Play comes with six games preinstalled: Crash Bandicoot, Star Battalion, The Sims 3, Fifa 10, Bruce Lee Dragon Warrior, and, of course, the immortal Tetris.

However, you should know that some of these titles will require a further download.

Technically, only the setup process is 'installed'. The files still have to be downloaded, preferably via a wireless connection. For instance, Star Battalion requires another 250MB.

This is a simple matter of scrolling through your app list and launching the relevant game. So long as you have a strong Internet connection, it should prompt you with a notice. Click 'Yes' or 'OK' and it will soon begin downloading.

But I want more

xperia-play-feature-how-to-find-gamesAll right, chill out. So, the preinstalled games aren’t enough and you’re hungry for more.

Usually, the first port of call for Android users is the Android Market (the little lime green shopping bag icon in your app list).

While it is possible to find some good games in there, it’s neither the best, nor the simplest way of finding Xperia Play-optimised treats.

There are a couple of easy ways to find these. The most basic is to simply slide up your phone, revealing the PlayStation controls.
xperia-play-feature-how-to-find-games
Your screen will automatically display a special scrollable menu, showing all the games you have installed so far.

Tap 'More Games' at the bottom of the screen to see a list of titles you can download. At the time of going to press, there’s a fair selection available, say, roughly a few dozen.

To see an even larger collection of optimised games, simply press the mini Market icon in the top-right corner of this screen. This is probably the most comprehensive list you’ll find, so you’ll be returning here a lot.

After you’ve spotted something you like the look of, just tap it, and you’ll be taken to the relevant storefront - this could be the Android Market page, which has a helpful reviews section, or it might be the publisher’s own shop.

From there, you can read more about your imminent purchase, as well as scan the price and some screenshots.

If you've gone down the Android Market route, you'll be able to link your credit or debit card to your Google account to pay.

Isn’t there another way?

xperia-play-feature-how-to-find-gamesWell, let’s say you’re in public. And let’s say that, for some bizarre reason, you are completely ashamed of your gorgeous new phone. You don’t want to slide the phone up because you think it makes you look stupid.

I don’t know why you’d think this, but okay. You can still get to the same games menu by selecting the 'Xperia PLAY' icon in your apps list.

Or you can just swipe left once from your home screen. Provided you haven’t removed it, a PlayStation Pocket widget should be hanging up there, with a 'More Games' widget directly underneath.

The former will display any PlayStation Classics you have, while the latter will offer a selection of Xperia-optimised suggestions. You can tap these to go to their relevant store, or you can tap the shopping cart icon to be taken directly to the “More Games” menu, just like before.

I can’t find the game I want!

xperia-play-feature-how-to-find-gamesCalm down!

If you’re after a specific title and you can’t spot it among the list on your trusty Xperia Play menu, you can still search for it on the Android Market.

This is as easy as everything else. You can either tap the Market icon from your phone’s own apps menu, or you can tap the small Market icon in the top-right corner of the Xperia Play menu. After that, you'll see the universal search icon - a tiny magnifying glass.

Tap on this and type in the name of whatever you are looking for. It should only take a few seconds to return the relevant search results to you.

If you are looking for one PlayStation Classic in particular, it might be better to select the PlayStation Pocket app in your phone’s menu list, which will offer a similar screen to the Xperia Play menu, along with a search function.

Brendan Caldwell
Brendan Caldwell
Brendan is a boy. Specifically, a boy who plays games. More specifically, a nice boy who plays many games. He often feels he should be doing something else. That's when the siren call of an indie gem haunts him. Who shall win this battle of wills? Answer: not Brendan.