Sony’s PlayStation Portal is bemusing the web By Daniel Piper revealed 23 August 23 From the title to the design.

4 weeks ago 3 min read

Sony’s new handheld PlayStation ‘console’ was met with raised eyebrows when the corporate introduced it again in Could. Basically a streaming system moderately than a devoted console, it was clearly no Steam Deck (or Nintendo Change, for that matter). Now, Sony has formally revealed a bunch extra particulars, together with the system’s title – and the bemusement continues.

Beforehand codenamed ‘Undertaking Q’, it seems the hand held is named PlayStation Portal. Or, to present it its hilariously un-catchy full title, PlayStation Portal Distant Participant. And whereas the worth hits a candy spot, a number of of the tech specs depart as a lot to be desired as we feared. (Prepared to begin gaming? Take a look at the very best PS5 offers obtainable now.)

The PlayStation Portal distant participant in all its glory (Picture credit score: Sony)

In accordance with Sony, its “first Distant Play devoted system” is ready to launch later this 12 months, and options an 8-inch LCD display able to 1080p decision at 60fps. Apart from the massive show, probably the most notable design contact is these DualSense-esque controllers both aspect of it. It is hardly probably the most elegant design – it seems like somebody reduce a DualSense in half and caught a small pill within the center. Nevertheless it’s completely serviceable, and gives a pleasant degree of consistency with the PS5 itself.

However there are caveats. Not solely does it appear that the Portal is required to be related to the identical WiFi as your PS5 console, however it apparently cannot stream PS Plus titles. Basically, all it will possibly do is Distant Play out of your console. In the event you have been hoping to make use of the Portal to play PS5 video games in your commute, it seems like this very a lot will not be a factor.

PlayStation Portal distant participant at £199 that you could’t stream PS Plus video games on and may solely hook up with a PS5 on the identical WiFi community ? GTFOH https://t.co/7TYJDzgl6ZAugust 23, 2023

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Disappointing however unsurprising. It’s only for remoteplay from PS5. No cloud streaming. Looks like a extremely apparent missed alternative to make this extra than simply an adjunct https://t.co/v83vxUThy2 pic.twitter.com/gT4V8tGuiXAugust 23, 2023

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$200 is ceremony about the place I believed this could be priced at, however with its restricted capabilities $150 most likely would’ve been a little bit higher. Additionally that title is 🤢. Have enjoyable telling your folks you could have a PlayStation Portal distant participant. Additionally distant participant being within the recreation is a… https://t.co/to6XUldcy9August 23, 2023

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Certainly, the one constructive players appear to agree on is the worth. at $199, this can be a good bit cheaper than the likes of the Nintendo Change and Steam Deck. However, being basically an exterior monitor to your PS5, you’d most likely hope that to be the case. In the event you’re after a console that may play video games natively, check out the very best Nintendo Change offers.