What is the PlayStation Portal?
The PlayStation Portal is a dedicated device that allows you to stream games from your PS5. The experience will be similar to the Remote Play feature that is already available on the PS5, but the Portal is a standalone device that does not require a smartphone or tablet.
We already know that there are plenty of reasons to want to play console games off of the TV. Families have been doing it on their Nintendo Switches for years. It isn’t any surprise that Sony would want to find a way to let their PS5 owners do something similar.
They haven’t released a handheld console since the PlayStation Vita. That didn’t sell very well, so it makes sense that they would try a different approach. The Portal definitely qualifies.
The device features an 8-inch LCD 1080p display mounted in between two halves of a Duel Sense controller. It retains all of the features of the Duel Sense controller as well. The LCD screen runs at 60hz for up to 60fps gaming. Put simply, it is a powerful device that will display PS5 games remarkably well.
What are the limitations of the PlayStation Portal?
The PlayStation Portal does have a few limitations, which are worth considering before you buy one. These limitations include:
- It can only be used to stream games from a PS5.
- It does not support 4K resolution.
- They weren’t ready to divulge battery life information (which doesn’t give me a lot of hope that it will be very good).
What are the system requirements for the PlayStation Portal?
This isn’t a game or a standalone piece of hardware. So there are no “system requirements” to speak of. However, You DO need a PlayStation 5 in order to use it.
How much does the PlayStation Portal cost?
The PlayStation Portal will cost $199.99. This is actually a very reasonable cost considering the technology involved.
When will the PlayStation Portal be released?
The PlayStation Portal will be released in 2023. Sony has stated will be announced soon.
Is the PlayStation Portal safe for kids?
The PlayStation Portal is as safe for kids to use as the PlayStation 5. This is a device that gives you another way to use the PlayStation 5, but it doesn’t play games on its own.
Is the PlayStation Portal worth the price?
It’s hard to say whether anything is worth the price because that is subjective. However, if you are looking for a portable way to play PlayStation games without relying on your phone or a tablet then the Portal is a good option. With that said, if you already have a smartphone or tablet that you can use for Remote Play, then the Portal may not be worth the extra cost.
Our Opinion on the PlayStation Portal So Far
This is a very niche product that will be a great addition to some households and a dud in others. There are absolutely going to be users who pick this device up for an inexpensive way to stream their PlayStation 5 games off the television. We already know that there are plenty of use cases for that. (The success of the Nintendo Switch and the Steamdeck can tell you that much. But, there will also be users who won’t need it at all. It will be very interesting to see where this shakes out with regard to sales numbers after release.
Linda Wrobel