Just last week, Microsoft Xbox division boss Phil Spencer confirmedthey were working on a portable gaming device, though it likely won’t be available until after a few more years, which will see the software giant go up against Nintendo, who has ruled over the portable gaming sector for decades now. It seems it’s not just Microsoft who has set their eyes on Nintendo’s throne, as Sony is now reportedly also working on a handheld console of their own.
The latest report about Sony’s handheld comes fromBloomberg, which claims Sony is in the “early stages” of developing a portable device that would play PS5 games.
Sony Keen To Enter The Portable Gaming Sector Once Again
According to the report citing sources who wish not to be named, the planned handheld gaming device would not only expand Sony’s reach and contend with Nintendo for portable gaming market supremacy, but it would also counter any portable gaming hardware released by Microsoft.
Same with Microsoft’s device, it’s been said that Sony’s portable is “likely years away” from launch, and there is still a possibility of Sony not pushing through with its release. The in-development PlayStation portable device is said to build on the idea of the PlayStation Portal, which was released in 2023 andmet with warm commercial success. While the final version of the Portal has the device streaming PS5 games over the internet, Sony Japan originally intended for it to function as a standalone device like Valve’s Steam Deck, the anonymous sources claim.
As of press time, Sony declined to comment on the rumor.
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If this rumor does come to fruition at some point, it will mark Sony’s third attempt (not counting hardware revisions) at the portable gaming sector. Back in March 2005, Sony released the PlayStation Portable, which used the Universal Media Disc (UMD) as its primary medium for playing games. While it didn’t manage to unseat the Nintendo DS as the king of portable gaming back then, the PSP still sold relatively well.
Six years later, Sony released its follow-up, thePlayStation Vita, which was released in Japan in December 2011 and in other countries in February 2012.While the tech behind the device was impressive, as it featured an OLED multi-touch touchscreen, a rear touchpad, and even gyroscopic controls, it was also chastised by the gaming community, given Sony’s insistence on pushing for its pricey memory cards as the only storage solution for the device. Unfortunately, that also led to the portable gaming machine’s downfall, though it still has a thriving homebrew scene up to this day.
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I still love you, even if Sony doesn’t.
Bear in mind that this latest rumor is just that—a rumor, so please take it with a grain of salt for now. Bloomberg has been known to be a reliable source of leaks over the years, which adds credibility to this latest report.
While I personally wouldn’t say no to a portable standalone PlayStation device, I just hope Sony has learned from past mistakes. Not only should the tech be there, but it should be consumer-friendly in both price and in usability. I do have to admit, though, that the prospect of my games and trophy collection being accessible anywhere and having the choice of continuing where I left off anywhere I am is an intriguing one. Sure, the PlayStation Portal does that right now, but you’re at the mercy of your internet connection to the device and your internet connection at home.
This latest rumor connected to the PlayStation brand is the latestin a string of high-profile news. Just last week, Kadokawa Corporation, the parent company of Elden Ring developer FromSotware, confirmed thatSony has senta letter of intentto acquire the company.
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