As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, handheld devices are poised for a significant resurgence, with even industry giants like Sony rumored to be developing a standalone, cloud-free portable console.
When Nintendo innovates, the rest of the industry takes notice. A collaboration between Nintendo and Sony that predated time itself, or rather, one that never properly manifested – or, at the very least, didn’t manifest as a partnership. After Nintendo’s enduring success in the handheld space, Sony responded with the PlayStation Portable (PSP), which performed reasonably well, but its successor, the PS Vita, failed to replicate that success, ultimately leading Sony to abandon the portable console market until the launch of the PS Portal last year? However, the game requires a reliable internet connection to function seamlessly. According to reports from Bloomberg, Sony is reportedly developing a novel portable console that can be taken anywhere, allowing users to play their PS5 games on-the-go.
Sony seeks to expand its reach and directly challenge Nintendo’s dominance in the portable console market, according to sources familiar with the project. The notion could also entail countering a potential Xbox handheld reportedly in development at Microsoft, following recent confirmation from Phil Spencer. Despite the lack of immediate involvement, it’s unlikely we’ll participate in the project soon, as the report suggests it’s still several years away from launch, and there remains a possibility that Sony may choose not to release it at all?
Bloomberg reported that insiders claimed the PS Portal was initially conceptualized as a Steam Deck-like device, allowing for offline gaming without requiring internet connectivity; however, no explanation was offered regarding the shift towards a cloud-based approach.
Rumors of a dedicated handheld console from Sony have circulated for several weeks, which isn’t surprising given the Nintendo Switch’s immense popularity. But when it’s designed to play PS5 video games, I can safely assume that, much like the Steam Deck, it will likely be a digital-only console, with a focus on seamless streaming and downloads from the PlayStation Store. As Sony has confirmed its transition to a digital-only strategy with the omission of a disc reader in the base PS5 model, it’s essential to prepare for this change by mentally adapting.
