Sony is reportedly developing a portable gaming console designed to rival Nintendo and Microsoft’s offerings. Unlike the PlayStation Portal, which serves as a connected remote play device, this new gadget aims to let gamers enjoy PlayStation 5 titles wherever they go. However, the launch of this standalone device might still be several years away, giving Sony ample time to refine, alter, or even cancel its plans.
Earlier, Microsoft’s CEO, Phil Spencer, mentioned that a portable Xbox gaming device was also years away from release, which aligns with Sony’s current trajectory. Meanwhile, Nintendo continues to dominate the handheld gaming scene, with a next-generation Switch anticipated to drop next year.
When approached for comments, Sony’s spokesperson chose to remain tight-lipped about these plans.
The landscape of portable gaming has seen impressive advancements recently. Devices like Valve’s Steam Deck, including its updated OLED model, have made significant impacts, prompting companies like Asus, Lenovo Legion, Logitech, and MSI to explore this market space. A major advantage for both Microsoft and Sony lies in their vast game libraries and their ability to secure more intellectual properties and developers for their platforms, whether as exclusive titles or cross-platform works, from both indie creators and major AAA studios.
Producing a portable device compatible with PlayStation 5 games involves challenges like developing proper hardware and crafting optimized firmware. Since this initiative is still in its nascent design phase, there’s still a chance that Sony might pivot its strategy or drop the project altogether.
### Portable Gaming: A Journey from Then to Now
Sony is no stranger to the portable gaming arena, having previously rolled out devices like the PlayStation Portable, PSP Vita, and PSP GO. An earlier Bloomberg piece suggested that the PlayStation Portal was initially intended to be a standalone unit, but the final product ended up being a remote gaming tool with an 8-inch screen that streams games from one’s PlayStation 5 over WiFi.
Despite past successes with the PSP line, Sony faces intensifying competition today, not just from other device makers but also from cloud gaming services that bypass hardware limitations. Giants like Nvidia, with their GeForce Now, and Microsoft’s Xbox cloud gaming are leading this device-agnostic approach.
Going portable presents significant advantages by broadening appeal to audiences who might not engage with gaming on a PC, cloud, or traditional console. If Sony chooses not to pursue a new portable release, it risks being the sole gaming platform absent from the burgeoning handheld market.
