Smart Sony strikes back in phone war

The first mobile phone to feature an inbuilt PlayStation Portable (PSP) has been released by Sony Ericsson.

The Xperia Play, which will provide competition for games-capable smartphones, was among new devices to be unveiled at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

The handset has a pull-out control pad and comes with a catalogue of games, from Electronic Art's Fifa series to Assassin's Creed, the Sims and Dungeon Defender.

Johnny Minkley, from Eurogamer.net, said: "I think this is a very smart move for Sony. It shows that they are taking seriously the threat that Apple poses to them in the mobile gaming market."

The Xperia Play is due to go on sale in March.

It is part of Sony's broader strategy to bring gaming to mobile phones.