Sony announces a wireless fight stick compatible with PlayStation 5 and PC

In an unexpected development, Sony introduced a new hardware item during its State of Play presentation today. Known for now as Project Defiant, this marks Sony's first venture into creating a fight stick. Given the company's current collaboration with Marvel on a first-party fighting game featuring beloved heroes and villains from the comic universe, this is the perfect time to unveil the initiative.

The controller will come with a toolless design, allowing users to swap out the restrictor gates, with square, circle, and octagon options set to be available for the stick. Additionally, the buttons are confirmed to feature mechanical switches. Furthermore, a dedicated touchpad, similar to that on the DualSense controller, is included on the top of the fight stick.

Sony is utilizing its PlayStation Link technology within the device. With this, the company claims to deliver ultra-low latency wireless connectivity, ensuring “precise in-game response to each button press and digital stick movement.” Interestingly, PlayStation Link, which is Sony's proprietary wireless standard designed primarily for the audio transmissions of the PlayStation 5, is being applied in a new way for this hardware.

The controller includes built-in storage for both the restrictor gates and the PS Link USB adapter. Like expected, a wired connection option is also available, with a USB-C port provided for connectivity to either a PlayStation 5 or PC. To ensure the device stays protected during transportation, Sony will include a robust sling carry case with every Project Defiant fight stick.

Further information, including the official name, internal specifications, release date, and most importantly, pricing, will be disclosed at a later date. Currently, the hardware has a launch window set for 2026.

Although Project Defiant is still some time away, it’s evident that Sony is crafting something remarkable for fighting game enthusiasts. And with Marvel’s anticipated fighter on the way, there’s no better opportunity to gear up with the console it’s designed for. As always, for the latest news on hardware launches and industry developments, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.