AdvGamer
Backbone has revealed a new limited-edition version of its popular smartphone controller, and this time it has been pulled directly from the world of Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. Developed in collaboration with Kojima Productions and PlayStation, the Backbone One: Death Stranding 2 Edition is priced at $160 and will be limited to just 1,350 units worldwide. Preorders open on November 6 through Best Buy, the Kojima Productions Store, and Backbone’s official site. The announcement gives fans another physical collectible tied to the game, following the title's release for PS5 earlier in 2026.
Backbone is no stranger to limited hardware. The company previously released a Death Stranding: Director's Cut controller last year. That version used a transparent yellow plastic that many fans joked looked like certain bodily fluids. This new model appears to take a more subtle approach while still leaning into the industrial, cargo-hauling aesthetic of Death Stranding 2.
A Collector-Grade Design
The Death Stranding 2 Edition is built on the same Gen 2 architecture as the PlayStation-inspired Backbone One. Its visual treatment draws from the colors of Sam Porter Bridges' world and the Drawbridge organization. The controller features transparent windows on the front, allowing owners to see some of the internal hardware beneath the surface. This design choice matches the game's emphasis on exposed technology, cargo containers, and fragile connections.
Perhaps the biggest collector appeal is the packaging. Instead of a standard retail box, the controller ships inside a collectible, numbered Pelican case. With only 1,350 units being produced, that numbering gives each unit a distinct place in the run. Pelican cases are known for rugged protection, which also ties into the survival and delivery themes of Death Stranding.
Hardware Features and Phone Compatibility
Functionally, the controller mirrors other current Backbone One models. It includes a reshaped D-pad, analog sticks, face and shoulder buttons, triggers, and the usual set of modern control inputs. Magnetic adapters allow the device to fit around a phone without requiring users to remove a standard-size protective case. When not in use, the controller folds down to a smaller footprint for travel or storage.
Once a compatible Android or iPhone is connected, the phone effectively becomes a handheld gaming console. Users can play native mobile games, cloud streaming titles, or use remote play features on PlayStation and other platforms. The USB-C connection covers most modern devices, while older iPhones may need a Lightning version of the standard Backbone One.
Availability and Alternative Models
Given the small production run, the Backbone One: Death Stranding 2 Edition is likely to sell out quickly. Those who miss the limited drop can still pick up the standard Backbone One in black or white for $100 with USB-C, or the Lightning version for the same price if they have an older iPhone. Backbone also offers the premium Backbone Pro for $170. That model includes redesigned ergonomics, a textured finish, quieter face buttons, full-size ALPS analog sticks, Hall Effect triggers, and two remappable back buttons.
| Model | Price | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Backbone One: Death Stranding 2 Edition | $160 | Limited to 1,350 units, numbered Pelican case, transparent front windows |
| Backbone One USB-C | $100 | Standard version for modern Android phones and iPhones |
| Backbone One Lightning | $100 | Compatible with older iPhone models |
| Backbone Pro | $170 | Hall Effect triggers, ALPS analog sticks, remappable back buttons |
Death Stranding 2 Continues to Grow
The launch of this controller arrives during a busy period for Kojima Productions. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach was released for PS5 earlier this year, and the studio has continued to expand the franchise. A trailer for the upcoming Death Stranding anime film was recently shown, and the live-action movie from director Michael Sarnoski and A24 is in the early stages of development. For fans who want to carry a piece of that growing universe in their hands, the limited-edition Backbone One is positioned as a functional accessory and a display-worthy collector's item in one package.