PlayStation Portal Pre-Orders Have Reportedly Sold Out In Japan Across All Retailers

Coming in at $199.99, it’s main use case is being able to keep playing your PS5 games when your console’s main monitor or TV is being used for something else. Being kicked off the TV because your Mom wants to watch her show is no longer an issue with the PlayStation Portal.

[gold_drake]

i ... gave in and ordered one too ha.

[Aloymetal]

Enjoy it;)

[Eonjay]

Sold out here too. Notice that Amazon has it listed under 'PlayStation 5 Controllers' NOT 'PlayStation 5 Consoles'. This is important because this is what it basically is. An alternate controller. Perhaps this will help people who can't 'figure out what it is' 😆

[darthv72]

I preordered one back in August as well.

[Einhander1972]

So, I checked Amazon US best sellers for something else and to my surprise guess what was number 7 ahead of the PS5 itself...

https://ibb.co/0nqyRkW

[NotoriousWhiz]

Roblox being #3, #5, and #6 disgusts me.

[eagle21]

Two HUGE factors working in PlayStation Portal's favor:

1.) If you already own a PS5, then you have games (most likely many) to play Day 1. Plus any game you buy for PS5 instantly becomes portable. The handheld doesn't require additional games you cant play on PS5.

2.) It's $199.99. This has always been the "sweet spot" or "mass market" price in gaming hardware.

I'm excited for reviews and will definitely buy one if it works well. :)

[TQQ]

Given the media response to the device thus far do you really think they are going to review it fairly and properly explain it's functionality and uses? Or do you think they will continue to tell people it has no uses and misinform people by saying you "have to use it on your home network" ect.?

I'm leaning heavily toward number two.

[TiredGamer]

I’m expecting reviewers who are inundated with devices all day long to miss the point of this device. It’s about convenience and getting the feel of playing on a PS5. If the tech works well, it’s a nice complement to a PS5 owner’s gaming options while using already owned software.

[notachance]

I want it but I have a shitty internet so waiting for hands-on review first for now, if it's good enough for home network with shitty internet I'd buy it for sure.

[ApocalypseShadow]

Not surprised. In Japan with fast Internet and PS5 sales being pretty good, it will do reasonably well. Japanese gamers can stream their games on the go.

In the US, it might be different. Gamers are wanting Sony to create Vita 2 when what they are making is a streaming device that connects to PS5. Just like the headphones connect to PS5 for better sound. Just like PS VR 2 connects to PS5 to have more immersion in games. Just like the remote connects to PS5 for media control. It's a PS5 peripheral. Nothing more.

[Vengeance1138]

Gamers have no idea what they want. No company has the bandwidth to fully support a home console and a dedicated handheld.

The only way to do it is if all the same games on the home console run on the handheld without needing to create handheld exclusive games, as that doesn't work.

[Seraphim]

that was one of the major downfalls of PSP and Vita right, software. Granted there were some great titles, but when you have to develop specifically for one device that has a small install base to begin with...

I hate to admit it, but this route really is the best way to push mobile gaming. The only other option would be to have a pricier handheld unit that operates similarly or can run games natively from it. However, that would severely limit potential customers in an already limited sector due to price alone. So by using what exists, taking advantage of the PS library, and giving players the option to buy a mobile device at an affordable price that plays all these games... It's not for me, but it is a good business decision that targets a specific audience.

[crazyCoconuts]

Generally agree, but the exception is PC gaming. Games are already built for a variety of different configurations. Steam has done a great job of making the steam deck look like a console. Now they could do the same with a steam box. MS could also leverage the fact that all their games go to PC as well, and just call a handheld PC an Xbox.

[blackblades]

The ones that want a vita 2 dont are foolish dreamers and to need to wake and see faults of having a vita 2.

[XiNatsuDragnel]

Not surprised but hey if will make a dedicated ps vita 2 that'll be great.

[Barlos]

I know I'm not in Japan, but whatever, got mine pre ordered. Or rather, my girlfriend has pre ordered me one for Christmas.

[shadowknight203]

Considering most households have expensive tablets or iPads, and ps controllers are also Bluetooth, I see no real reason for this, and neither do many others. It's a cool concept sure, but it's not a concept worth buying for most either way.

If it works it works for you, and I'm not downing u for it. All the more merrier really.

[RupeeHoarder]

It’s simply preference. iPads are used for multiple things and not dedicated PS5 streaming devices. Is it more cost effective if you have one of those devices? Sure…..but for some people it’s peace of mind knowing that this is specifically for this and nobody will be using the device for other purposes when I want to use it.

[TQQ]

C'mon... be honest here, using a tablet and getting it all rigged up to a controller with some goofy unbalanced device to hold the screen honestly sucks. And trying to hold those things is extremely uncomfortable. And most phones have way smaller screens and plus the phone is a phone, you get a call and you gotta unstrap all that crap then strap it all back up... it sucks.

This is a one click access with a balanced design that you can hold and use with ease.

[giovonni]

I beg to differ, it doesn't suck and It's not that difficult at all. It's actually harder to connect my xbox/ps to the internet than it was setting up controllers to my tablet. The carrying cases are actually durable and holds the screens great (and I have an after market one at that.) Again, it's preference as Rupee stated. To take it even further, the majority are caught in this sales technique called "Impulse buying" they'll make up, create bias/untrue scenarios, or piggy back off each other to justify their purchase of a product.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

If you can’t afford a Rog Ally or Steam Deck I guess this would be an option. Imo it’s a waste of money but to each their own..:

[Barlos]

I've got a steam deck as well, but the appeal of the Portal is the Dualsense support.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

Yeah for some I guess but for me to spend $200 on a device just for the feel of a controller is ridiculous

[Barlos]

@Ynubo yeah I know what Portal is, I know its limitations and it still should offer a better experience for my PS5 than the Deck does. Not knocking the deck at all - I absolutely love it and I use mine a ton. But when I'm playing PS5 games I want it to FEEL like I'm playing PS5 games, and I don't get that from the Steam Deck. As good as the controls are for the Deck, the rumble is so weak it might as well not even be there, and there's no adaptive triggers. The Portal offers pretty much the same experience as the PS5 in terms of controls, and this is what I want.

[Barlos]

@SPEAKxTHExTRUTH

Each to their own but I disagree. As I said in my post to Ynubo, I want my games to FEEL like PS5 games when I'm playing them, remote play or otherwise, so to me that is very much the appeal of the Portal. Our PS5 is on the TV in our living room and when my girlfriend is watching TV I can use the Portal to stil play PS5 games with perfect controls. That is the appeal to me. I know it's nothing but a streaming device but having essentially the same controls as the full fat DualSense controller is a huge draw for me as it's my favourite controller.

[SPEAKxTHExTRUTH]

Fair enough. Hope you enjoy it when it’s released.

[ravens52]

I don't feel like I need to pre order it here. I doubt they'll be sold out when they release so I'll just get 1 then. No rush.

[il-JumperMT]

well internet in Japan allows PlayStation Portal to be used away from home

[mandf]

Same as the rest of the world

[MrNinosan]

For most of us here in Europe as well.
I will use mine mainly at work 👍

[il-JumperMT]

i'm in europe and our internet is horrible :(

[jznrpg]

I Iive in a fairly rural area in the US and my internet has been great. The closest grocery store is about 20 minutes from me . I had technically much faster internet when I lived in the city but I get no slowdown times like I did in the city at peak usage times. Maybe 15 years ago it was bad at my cabin which is even further out in rural area on a lake and even there it’s really good now. Maybe that’s just my state but it’s improving in rural areas for sure

[jznrpg]

Preordered mine day one

[Harkins1721]

Really? How? Is it wanted that much? I mean if its a good device I am all for it but from what I have seen so far it just seems like meh. Guess ill keep my eye on it, if it gets outstanding reviews then I may pick one up.

[mandf]

I'm buying one

[SpacedDuck]

In Japan this thing would probably be unreal given the entire country probably has better WiFi than most people in the USA have at their homes.

Probably $10 a month for that access in Japan as well.

[Ps5conehead]

I preoreded in USA

[mkis007]

Its funny but recently i ve been thinking it would be convenient to have when i want to play ps5 without having to be in that room. Idk if its 200$ convenient, but time will tell.

[WiiU-Dude]

I will own it

[Vx_]

A useless device, I hope the majority didn’t buy it thinking it a switch like gaming console

[jesujohn]

Early adopters yes

[italiangamer]

This is selling well even here on Amazon Italy.

[DarXyde]

Japan loves their portability. High quality wifi access is pretty great across Tokyo, so I can see this being extremely practical in that context.

I'm still not interested and think the price is too high for what it is.

But that said, I hope it's a great product for those who dive in.

[S2Killinit]

Im getting one. But didnt pre-order… I wonder if I’ll get a chance to have one before the first wave ends.

[repsahj]

Me too, I hope no scalpers this time.

[anast]

Like I said, this is the best option for this kind of gaming. All of the other companies can't do this right.

[1nsomniac]

.. yea, I suppose just like PSVR2. Don’t know how on earth people still take figures like this off the internet seriously. It’s just a sales technique to make you think everyone has one, I must get myself one too.

It’s common knowledge now they spent millions researching it and now it’s just openly used as a fake marketing tool and everyone just goes along with it. PSVR2 was a prime proven example. In recent times.

[jznrpg]

Or it’s selling well

[1nsomniac]

It could well be but It just hasn’t been received well at all by anyone. Nevermind the fact that Japan is a notoriously difficult place to sell hardware. Also the gaming industry as a whole is also in its biggest decline over there.

You can’t really trust “figures”. Goes for all companies really, but we had physical proof Sonys figures were falsified about the PSVR2. It’s fair to say that it may be likely these are too. Guess we’ll see.