Sony seems to be gearing up for an exciting venture into the world of portable gaming. Reports hint at the development of a brand new handheld console, likely designed to challenge the likes of Nintendo and Microsoft. Unlike the PlayStation Portal, which hinges on remote connectivity, this new gadget would let players enjoy PlayStation 5 games on the go, wherever they are. There’s a catch, though—it might be several years before we see it hit the shelves, giving Sony ample time to tweak or potentially scrap the project altogether.
Interestingly, Microsoft CEO Phil Spencer has also mentioned that creating a portable Xbox device is still some years down the road. This puts Sony and Microsoft in a similar timeline, while Nintendo, a dominant force in handheld gaming, is said to be planning the launch of its next-gen Switch in the near future.
When asked about these buzzworthy plans, a Sony representative chose not to spill any details.
Portability in gaming has evolved significantly of late. Valve’s Steam Deck, for instance, especially its OLED version, has been a game-changer. With such successes, it’s no surprise that big names like Asus, Lenovo Legion, Logitech, and MSI have also joined the fray. Sony and Microsoft have a unique advantage in the form of their extensive game libraries. This robustness allows them to draw developers and more intellectual properties, both indie and AAA, to their platforms, whether they’re exclusive or available cross-platform.
Creating a handheld device that seamlessly supports PlayStation 5 titles won’t be a straightforward task. It will demand a carefully designed combination of hardware and firmware. Given that this project is still in its infancy, Sony could very well shift gears or pivot away from the current plan.
Looking at portable gaming historically, Sony’s no stranger to this field. Years ago, they launched the PlayStation Portable, PSP Vita, and PSP GO. Bloomberg reports that the PlayStation Portal was originally meant to be a self-contained device. However, it transformed into a remote gaming gadget featuring an 8-inch screen that streams games from a PlayStation 5 via WiFi.
Despite Sony’s past successes with the PSP, today’s market is more competitive than ever. Not only will Sony face other handheld manufacturers, but it will also contend with cloud gaming platforms led by Nvidia’s GeForce Now and Microsoft’s Xbox cloud services.
Venturing into portable gaming can bring great advantages by attracting gamers who prefer playing outside of traditional PC, cloud, or console setups. If Sony opts not to proceed with marketing a new handheld, it would be the lone giant in gaming not entering this burgeoning market.
