While we still await the full successor to the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita – should Sony Interactive Entertainment ever want to dabble in the portable gaming market again – they are forging ahead with another piece of portable technology. Pre-orders have now opened for the PlayStation Portable remote player, priced at $329.95 AUD or local equivalent, with an official release date set for 2 February 2024.
So… what does the PlayStation Portal entail? The PlayStation Portal is designed to bring the PlayStation 5 experience from your television to your hands, designed for those gamers in households where they might need to share their living room TV or simply want to play PS5 games in another room of the house. Unfortunately this is not a replacement to the PlayStation 5, and you will still need to own a unit and be in relative proximity to one based on your wi-fi range.
Key features and limitations include:
DualSense Controller Integration: The PlayStation Portal includes the significant features of the PS5’s DualSense wireless controller, such as adaptive triggers and haptic feedback.
High-Definition Display: Equipped with an 8-inch LCD screen, the device supports 1080p resolution at 60fps.
Connects Over Wi-Fi: Aimed at gamers who share their living room TV or wish to play in different rooms, the PlayStation Portal allows easy transition from playing on a PS5 console to the handheld device. It connects to the PS5 over Wi-Fi, offering seamless gameplay switching.
Game and Peripheral Compatibility: The device is capable of playing supported games installed on the PS5 console and is compatible with the DualSense controller. It also features a 3.5mm audio jack for wired audio connections.
Not VR Compatible: PSVR2 games, which require a headset, are not supported on the PlayStation Portal.
Will this be a cherished PlayStation peripheral or become a forgettable item in your collection gaining dust, like the sadly underrealised PlayStation TV? Time will tell.
