Sony is reportedly diving into the handheld gaming scene with a brand-new portable console designed to rival both Nintendo and Microsoft’s offerings. This device aims to let fans enjoy PlayStation 5 games on the go, breaking away from the limitations of the PlayStation Portal—a device focused solely on remote play. But don’t hold your breath; insiders suggest this standalone gadget might not hit shelves for several years, leaving Sony ample opportunity to tweak or even scrap the project altogether.
The move comes as Microsoft’s Phil Spencer recently noted that an Xbox handheld is still years from becoming reality, mirroring Sony’s current timeline. Meanwhile, Nintendo, the stalwart leader in portable gaming, is anticipated to launch a new version of the Switch next year.
When approached, Sony’s representative had nothing to say about their plans.
Over the past few years, the realm of portable gaming has seen significant changes, thanks predominantly to Valve’s Steam Deck and its OLED iteration, sparking interest from tech giants like Asus, Lenovo, Logitech, MSI, and many more. Microsoft’s and Sony’s trump cards in this burgeoning market are their expansive game libraries and the clout to draw more developers and IPs, whether exclusive or cross-platform, from indie to AAA studios.
Developing a handheld device that seamlessly supports PlayStation 5 titles is no small feat. It demands robust hardware and meticulously optimized software. With the project clearly still in its infancy, the possibility of Sony altering their plans or shelving the idea altogether is very real.
Turning the clock back to Sony’s heyday in portable gaming, we remember their outings with the original PlayStation Portable, the PSP Vita, and the PSP GO. An earlier Bloomberg report pointed out that the PlayStation Portal was initially intended as a standalone device. However, it evolved into a remote play gadget featuring an 8-inch screen streaming games from the PS5 via WiFi.
Despite the past successes of the PSP series, the competition is fiercer now. Sony isn’t just up against traditional handheld consoles but also faces the growing might of cloud gaming platforms, like Nvidia’s GeForce Now and Microsoft’s cloud gaming ecosystem, which are accessible on any device.
Embracing handheld gaming could significantly broaden Sony’s audience reach, capturing users who might not be keen on playing games via PC, cloud, or stationary consoles. Should Sony opt out of releasing a new portable console, it would remain one of the few gaming giants not represented in the handheld market.
