PlayStation Portal review: A baffling handheld for no one but Sony diehards

Engadget: "As someone who genuinely loved the PlayStation Vita, it's disappointing to see Sony delivering a bare-minimum portable system. I'm not expecting the Vita 2, but at least give us true cloud gaming."

[thorstein]

Weird that other reviews found it to be better than expected and players who've gotten it in their hands seem to love it.

[Jin_Sakai]

I’m a Sony fan and I’d choose a Steam Deck OLED and Switch 2 over this. It just doesn’t make sense to me to be a portable device that’s limited to your house.

[rayford15]

It’s not limited to your house tho…

[Jin_Sakai]

Well it’s basically cloud gaming when used outside your house. Who the heck wants to stream games over an unreliable internet connection? Native gameplay all day everyday.

[ApocalypseShadow]

You messed up on that one. At least KNOW what it does before complaining.

You'd choose them because you want to do other stuff with them. You want to play PC games or emulation of retro games or look at your social media accounts or read your email.

Portal does one thing: streams PS5 games from anywhere with remote play. Sony doesn't want you distracted by any other shit but to play PS5 games with PS5 feel of the controller.

If playing PS5 games when not in front of a TV isn't what you're looking for, then it wasn't made for you. Go buy that other stuff. Sony's not stopping you from doing so.

It's like those complaining about Sony doing VR. Well, VR isn't for everybody. It's for those that want to play PS5 VR games. If you want to side load Android apps on a stand alone device or play PC games, then PS VR 2 is not for you. It's not complicated.

[Eonjay]

This author is out of line. There are people with real use cases for it and then there are those who just want it. But it was never advertised as anything more than an accessory. If you have an device you can comfortably remote with you don't need this. But acting like it doesn't serve a purpose simply because it isn't a vita, which journalists tried to dismiss for years - only to come back now a beg Sony for another one now, well that's just disingenuous.

@Jin your point about YOU not needing it is valid for you.

Do what's right for you. Notice how they never ask the reader to consider what works for them. They simply tell you what to do as if their is only one type of consumer out there.

[Barlos]

I agree and disagree. I have a steam deck and I'm getting a portal for Christmas. When it comes to remote play I want to be able to have as close a feel as possible to an actual DualSense. The portal gives me that. It's not meant as a portable console, it's to compliment the PS5 and allow it to be less tied to the TV.

It can also be used outside of the home as long as there's a decent WiFi network available, but I would say that mine will be staying at home. Mind you, my steam deck never leaves my house either.

[andy85]

How are people still saying just in your house when it was debunked months ago. I get a very good remote play connection on the go.

[rayford15]

Ummmm me I remote play every night at work via my iPad and dual sense or whenever I’m on the go and have legit no problems yall just be whining just for the sake of it.

[Cacabunga]

Same, i can just use my other tv to remote play via PS4 through wired internet.. makes 0 sense to buy this thing for me.

[anast]

I would choose to ride an elephant over playing football.

[darthv72]

Im planning to get the Deck OLED and Switch 2 as well... when they are available. Today though, the portal will be delivered soon.

Im no diehard sony fan, im just a diehard gamer who plays them all. And new tech is my vice.

[Kakashi Hatake]

It's not a standalone handheld... It's a PS5 accessory. It doesn't have any R&D outside of enhancing the PS5 experience. It's like comparing the NES Zapper directly to the Sega Master System. There's a reason Steam Deck and Switch 2 aren't 200 dollars, they're standalone platforms. Please tell me people aren't this dense...

[Abear21]

I get that and for many they probably feel the same, but for me, I’m not rebuying BG3 and other PC games to be able to play them on the deck. This has better battery life and lets me play PS5 in bed, maybe not important to many but necessity to me lol.

[1nsomniac]

When Sonys own newsletter (sent out today) states the portal is to be played on your home WiFi. Is it any wonder people are confused.

“Put your PS5® games in the palm of your hand
Play your PS5® console over your home Wi-Fi with console quality controls using PlayStation Portal™ Remote Player1– available now.

Experience the incredible immersion of DualSense® wireless controller features2 and see your games3 come alive through a gorgeous 8” LCD screen capable of 1080p resolution play at 60fp4.

Find out more”

[thorstein]

What does that have to do with what I said or what the article states? It's not limited to your house. A Steam Deck plays PC games and a Switch plays Nintendo games.

This plays PS5 games.

[HansyJ]

Obviously? Like, obviously you would choose an entire system over this remote player. Thanks for stating the obvious lol this is obviously for a niche market and I am sure it will sell well in that regard.

[VariantAEC]

@Jin_Sakai
So you don't use DualSense wirelessly, right? That is remote play after all.

[VariantAEC]

@ApocalypseShadow
Exactly, people are acting like using PS Portal takes away features from other devices now. PS Portal just removes the requirement to use those other devices to do the same thing... it doesn't make it so those other devices can't use remote play anymore. To me PS Portal is great it reduces the need or want to use a phone to accomplish the same tasks and reduces the possibility of people exploiting your phone because you want to remotely play games from your PS5 from afar. There are so many smaller wins that morons who don't understand digital safety don't even consider at all.

[SpacedDuck]

Well it's almost why they call it an opinion.

[thorstein]

Fact: The earth is an oblate spheroid.
Opinion: Vanilla milkshakes are the best.

The difference is that facts are objective and opinions are subjective.

Lie: "The PlayStation Portal (yes, technically it's another PSP)"

Lies are objectively false statements.

So, no. It's not an opinion. Lies are not opinions.

[Nacho_Z]

Sony diehards and people who have a PS5 but have to share a screen. Seems a decent market.

[CrimsonWing69]

Sure, but I’ll use my phone and backbone, spend the remainder on another game to play.

[TreMillz]

I'll use my phone to text and make calls, and use this as it feels way better than a backbone and more reliable

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

I also would rather save the money for another game or put towards some other tech device.

[Kakashi Hatake]

Some people don't want to waste their phone battery on that. Miss out on a more streamlined experience for one extra game? Seems like a very shortsighted take.... but again this device isn't for everyone.

[RNTody]

Um, I have a Backbone PlayStation Edition and while it's a fantastic device, playing on a tiny phone screen is not ideal and it's no DualSense which remains the best controller I've ever used. I use my Backbone to clear side missions and tasks, but I refuse to experience epics like Spider-Man 2 and Final Fantasy 16 on a small screen like this, so I limit what I do in-game. I'm definitely getting a Portal when it's available in my country because I share a TV with a wife and two kids.

[ModsDoBetter]

Tody...the average modern phone screen size is 6.2 inches. PS Portal is 8 inches.

Bit of a reach to keep calling smartphones "tiny" when on average you have 1.8 inches. I mean, 1.8inches might mean a lot to you but the exaggeration of "I refuse to play epics on tiny 6.2 inch screens, only 8 inches for me" is just ludicrous. Also remote play uses dualsense, you're not limited to the Backbone controller.

[CrimsonWing69]

@Kakashi Hatake

I’m not trying to be funny here when I ask this, but do you know you can plug your phone in to a charger when the battery gets low?

[VariantAEC]

@olMyerslo
"Tody...the average modern phone screen size is 6.2 inches. PS Portal is 8 inches."

You clearly also ignore the fact that remote play is 16:9 aspect only.
Your phone might have a 6.2 inch screen (measured diagonally) but if it's 18.5:9 or some strange aspect that is not 16:9 that 1.8 inches actually becomes more like 4 inches versus 8 inches. We're talking about as large as the OG PSP's screen area.

So PS Portal's 8 inch screen only seems like a small improvement... until you actually see a size comparison.

[specialguest]

A household with 1 TV has always existed since the dawn of gaming and people have managed to still game. You're making this out to be a solution to a nonexistent or very low on the totem pole of problem 😂. Many people have desktop PCs which means an extra display to connect to if gaming is a desperate and time sensitive situation. Or you could buy a 2nd 4k tv (32")for the price of this PS portable. You people will try to justify anything like a politician 🤣. However, it's your money

[Nacho_Z]

specialguest

I think most people would agree that more time and opportunity to game is a good thing. Another advantage of it is that if you wish you can still be present with your family etc rather than being shut away in another room.

[RNTody]

@VariantAEC Thanks a mil for the common sense displayed in your comment in response to oIMyersIo. The entire Portal screen is designed for gaming, whereas your phone is not. I will reiterate again: just because you can remote play in a dozen other ways, does not make it a great experience.

@specialguest Your comment certainly is special. I would rather play in the comfort of my bedroom than stick a 32" TV somewhere I don't want one. Same goes for using my PC screen and being confined to where my gaming PC is. More importantly, if you have kids, not only do they want the TV half the day but most games I play has content they can't see. No one said the Portal is revolutionary. There are a dozen ways to remote play. It's just a nice accessory that makes the remote play experience better. Sony has clearly outlined who this device is for and there is clearly interest in it from many. You're just incapable of seeing that it isn't fulfilling a "need", it's providing a better option than what we currently have.

By your logic why bother with refinements or quality of life improvements if we can achieve something with what we have.

[StormSnooper]

I would love this for all the handheld style games. I could play it in bed. Get more gaming, instead of using my phone.

[Eonjay]

I'm making a list and testing titles out on my tablet. Some good ones are:

Odin Shere, 13 Sentinels, Dragon Crown Pro (Atlas Games really shine here) Sea of Stars, Star Ocean First Departure and Second Story, Teslagard, LiveALive a bunch of the PS1 and PSP classics.

I agree that games that work work perfect on the Switch in handheld mode work here very well.

[TOTSUKO]

Dedicated pc/console handhelds has little value worth while unless you are in Japan or play retro titles. Paying $500+ to play AAA games @1080p(if we’re lucky) 30fps (stable?) for an average 1 hour at the most is more of a waste tbh. An average persons life outside the house is usually busy doing outside life experiences. I play my ROG ally 90% of the time in my house. The novelty of handheld wears off quickly when I realized I’m diminishing great game experiences with distractions and inferior hardware I paid more for.

[derek]

Yep people use these handhelds at home primarily. I for one will never use a portable gaming device outside in public.

[anast]

Exactly

[MaximusPrime_]

Remote play over the phone was good but lacks controller and feel of PS5. Unless I missed something, I tried using the controller (PS4 controller) and there werent any vibration. I don't know what happened.

The specs for PS portal is exactly what we need to enjoy remote play. I'm expecting delivery within an hour so I'll try it myself.

[Barlos]

Exactly this. If it had some generic control method it wouldn't be appealing and that's why it gives full functionality of a DualSense. This is what I want from the portal. The DualSense is one of the best controllers available and for me this is the major appeal of the portal.

I don't care that is doesn't play games natively, I have my steam deck for that.

[Eonjay]

Enjoy and tell me which games work best for you!

[MaximusPrime_]

I had a go and it meets my expectations.

I prefer playing racing games so I decided to play GT7. My verdict, it was brilliant. I was able to get good lap times unlike previous mobile phone remote play.

Also I went back to playing Astro's playroom, just to test the controller side to it. It worked perfectly well, especially the vibration and trigger.

Connection wide, I experience once temporarily drop in WiFi but I think someone in my household was also using the same router. It wasn't a big deal. As long no one using the WiFi I will have a good, stable wifi connection. I think I may have to change the IP setting on my ps portal if need be.

[Barlos]

My use case is so that I'm not tied to the TV when I want to use my PS5. I have a steam deck and yes with a bit of fiddling it can remote play with the PS5 but I want the controls that the portal offers. Yes the portal only does one thing, but it seems to do that one thing very well indeed.

[darthv72]

Mine is I prefer to be in the front room instead of isolated in my game room. I can game and enjoy the company of others.

[Barlos]

Exactly. I don't have a game room. I only have the living room, and that's where the ps5 is. When someone else is using the TV I will still be able to use the ps5 if I wish.

[andy85]

I don't know why you have to be a diehard. So many people just have the one TV in the living room and want to stay with their partner or family and not go sit alone in another room. This is perfect for them. And sure you can use a phone in a backbone but the screens a bit small and you don't get a dualsense to use.

[ANIALATOR136]

You're sitting in a corner with this device instead. Whats the difference? If you want to be with your family in the same room, then turn the consoles off.

[Taero]

No? I'm sitting on the couch next to my wife while she watches Downton Abbey and I pretend to be intrigued by the fact the silverwares gone missing. Shockingly some people enjoy the company/presence/conversation with their spouse while still wanting to do their own thing, why would I be sat in a corner o.O?

[anast]

Dr. Phil just threw down a family time rule...Obviously you can't be serious?

[andy85]

Plenty. The fact that you're sat with them? You can't cuddle up with the GF or wife in another room. That's like saying turn the TV off if you're sat in the same room as your family. It's not 1950. She can watch her show and you can play your game and you can actually talk to her. Better than being strangers in the same household.

[TheEnigma313]

Hating

[notachance]

idk why they say diehard when it’s most likely the casuals who would use this.

For example, me, I have tons of backlog because I’m often too tired to play in front of a tv after a full day work. With this device I can play for a bit in my bed before I go to sleep instead of wasting time on the internet.

[derek]

The instance that Sony make a product diffent than the one they intended to is absurd. Very few people use their remote play devices outside of the home ever. I read one of the Japanese engineers for portal and it definitely sounds like the plan is to gradually add functionality to it and that it will not be that hard. But they are being cautious understandably.

[jznrpg]

Or just maybe it’s all types of people.

[anast]

This, and it is the best option for those types of gamers.

[ravens52]

200 is "too expensive" but 100 isn't, for something that lacks what the psp offers?? Really? The backbone is worth 100 but the portal isn't worth 200, make that make sense

[zsquaresoff]

The headline makes it sound like this was written by an Xbone diehard.

[anast]

It was.

[buffig]

Is a backbone worth double the money, if it had an 8" screen + all the comfort and functionality of a dual sense + no need to pair anything + not having use of your phone while you play and having your game constantly interrupted with notifications etc? I would argue yes. It would be worth double the money

[Limitedtimestruggle]

Should be perfect for the N4G majority then lol

[anast]

Probably not perfect for you, then?

[Limitedtimestruggle]

I won't buy this product, no. Not for me at all.

[Duke19]

Needing to tether it to a phone to burn 5g data for a diminished quality just tells me that I would never use this thing outside of the house/on wifi.

I agree with Engaget here. If this didn't have Sony's name on it, it would be getting absolutely trashed in reviews and overall reception.

Streaming games just aint where it should be yet

[Barlos]

I have no intention of ever using it outside the house, so that's no problem for me. I don't take my steam deck outside the house either, and that can work fully offline.

For the me appeal of the portal is that my ps5 games are no longer tied to the room where my ps5 is.

[MIDGETonSTILTS17]

Alotta dads and husbands without a “man cave TV” enjoy it.

Heck, I know my fiancé would prefer I played on a handheld next to her while she watches her shows, instead of me going to the basement to play.

It is certainly not for everyone, but it is $200 very well spent for me.

[talocaca]

I just got mine and honestly loving it. I have a Switch and a Series S so I don't think I'm a "Sony diehard".

I understand it's not for everyone, but it is MUCH better than using a phone + Dualsense/Kishi.
It is very comfortable to hold, the screen size is great, the battery life is surprisingly robust and I love having haptics/adaptive triggers.

$200 is not bad for what the device does. Sure, we would LOVE a portable PS5 that runs games natively, but that would probably cost over $500.

If you have a decent internet connection, this is a great little device 🤷‍♂️

[z2g]

Finally someone said it

[Berenger]

When they write these aggressively inflammatory headlines for attention, I don't even click on them. I just point it out in the comments for people to avoid them. I don't even click on them if it's against something I don't care for. It just screams "I need attention"

[Abear21]

Build quality, screen quality, and battery life all seem to be great, I’m not going to lie, I only game on PS5 and do love Sony products so I’m glad I got mine while I could. Hopefully it arrives soon…as article said; for fans of Sony it’s like Apple products—yeah steam deck and Switch are cool, but for long time fans of Sony and those who love early adopting holiday hardware, this is a must buy imo.

[Kyizen]

It is not a handheld...it's a PS5 accessory. A controller with a screen built in. Why don't some reviewers not get this. And not Sony diehards but Sony dads and moms who can't sit and game in the living room, or want to get some trophies before bed.

[Abnor_Mal]

Just got mine an hour ago, charging it up right now. Will set it up and try putting it through its paces soon.

[DarkkMinion]

I'll get gamepass, a phone and a controller over this portal crap.

[Phantom68]

Well I am using one and I am enjoying it. It’s fun to be in bed playing the PS5 located in the living room using the portal. Also, it is not limited to the own house only, as some other are implying. You can go wherever you have a good WIFI connection and you can still connect and play. You do not have to be at home.

[Trilithon]

so you can watch tv and play at the same time

[UltimateOwnage]

“True cloud gaming” is terrible and can never fullly overcome the issues of latency. This, at least, is designed to work over the same wifi network with essentially no latency (barring network congestion or wireless noise). This is a neat device to play from the couch or around the house while someone else enjoys the big screen the PS5 is connected to. Nothing more. And that’s fine.

[VariantAEC]

PS Portal being a remote player already probably introduces too much latency to play games via PS Now through PS5.

[DivineHand125]

The reason it doesn't have cloud gaming is because Sony believes it will cannibalize the sales of the PS5.

[repsahj]

It is not a handheld. It's a PS5 controller with screen that can remote play games from PS5. It is not hard to understand.

Sony should name this device to PS5 portal instead with just playstation portal to avoid confusion to those people who just looking at the picture of the device instead of reading its description.

[VariantAEC]

PS Portal is so-named because it might be useable on PS6.