Topic: PlayStation Portal -OT-

Anyone else excited for this device? I've already put down a preorder for it, although it won't be releasing in Sweden until 1st of December. Still only a few weeks away!

Really interesting seeing how Portal compares to the Switch. The size of the screen is just incredible and it must feel so comfortable holding the device. I can't wait to use it!

For those who are getting it day one, what is the first game you're planning on playing on it? Personally, I think I have to choose a PS5 title that I haven't played yet just to get the best first impressions and I'm considering going with Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart.

I've honestly not been this excited for something gaming related in a long time. The thing is that I mostly play on PS5 or Series X nowadays. I rarely play on my Switch but I often want to use a handheld device to play something as I get tired from sitting in front of the TV and want to lie down on my bed. So I can't continue playing whatever I'm playing on PS5/Series X and have to choose something I'm not that interested in playing right now on the Switch. This won't be the case anymore when I get my hands on the Portal as I can just keep playing PS5 games whenever I get tired. That's why I'm so excited for this device.

Can anyone confirm? Is it possible to play this on the go, or do you need to be in the same network? I am reading mixed info on this. I don't see the point if it's only to be used at home, but if I can play it at any other place (that has decent Wi-Fi), I'll definitely consider it.

I'm glad you're excited, but the moment I saw that you can't take it on the go, that ruled out any chance of me ever getting it. Even though I'm not a big fan of the Switch either, it blows the Portal out of the water for that reason alone.

@Octane Not criticizing you, but I'm not sure why there's mixed info on this since when they first revealed this, they said you had to have your PS5 on in order to use it. That would require you to be in your house (or at best somewhere on your property at least depending on the range).

@Octane @KilloWertz If it's anything like PS4 Remote Play on Vita, you go to the system settings on your PS5 to enable internet connection while your PS5 is in Rest Mode, then you put your PS5 in Rest Mode, and then with the Portal you can turn it on anywhere in the world as long as you have access to Wi-Fi. You can also put the PS5 in Rest Mode with the Portal anywhere in the world when you're done playing, so it doesn't need to be on all the time.

@KilloWertz I don't agree. All third-party games on the Switch are the inferior versions compared to the other console versions. Not to mention that a lot of current-gen games skip the Switch. I mean, Persona 3 Reload isn't even coming to the Switch (for now). I can't stand playing a JRPG only on the TV, I need to be able to play it on a handheld device as well.

Dead Space (2023) isn't on Switch. Resident Evil 4 (2023) isn't on Switch. Alan Wake II isn't on Switch. Assassin's Creed Mirage isn't on Switch. The list goes on and on.

There are so many cons with the Switch. After Portal comes out, the only reason for me to have a Switch would be to play Nintendo's first-party titles and a select few third-party games that are exclusive. Other than that, the PS5 will receive most games that come out as well as its own first-party titles. I never need to buy games like Persona 5 Strikers or Trials of Mana on the Switch that run poorly and look absolutely terrible compared to the PlayStation versions.

I understand this doesn’t have Bluetooth to be able to use the PS5 headset so wondering… would it be possible to plug in a usb c Bluetooth transmitter and paid/ use the headset that way?

@KilloWertz @LtSarge This is what I meant haha. I guess I'll wait for reviews to confirm this then.

@LtSarge @Octane According to some things, yes, according to some things no. Even on the same website there is 3 or 4 different answers to whether you can actually play it away from your PS5 or not.

Everything that was reported when it was first announced said that you would need to be in the same place your PS5 was, which is why I gave that answer. If you can actually use it on the go, great. If not, then the appeal will be minimal once people realize that. Nothing I've seen so far gives me the impression you can actually use it away from your PS5 (even PlayStation Direct doesn't actually say that specifically).

As for the Switch, I agree that the system itself is extremely weak and actually kind of sucks, but the ability to play it anywhere is an obvious advantage no matter how underpowered it is.

@Octane You can't play PS Portal out and about like it's a regular handheld console. However, you CAN use it if you're somewhere with WiFi. As long as your PS5 is in Rest mode, the Portal can connect to any WiFi you have access to, wake it up (just like the Remote Play app on smart devices etc), and connect to your PS5 regardless of its location. Basically, if you can connect the Portal to sufficient WiFi, it doesn't matter where you are — you can still hook up to your PS5.

You could be in a hotel on the other side of the planet and it'd work, so long as the WiFi holds up. I think the reason Sony is driving home the message about using it close to your PS5 is because the latency will vary wildly depending on the quality of the connection. Having your PS5 and the PS Portal on the same network will be the best case scenario in terms of the play experience.

So, yes, you can use the PS Portal away from home, provided you have access to WiFi. As long as you're aware there will be inconsistencies in the latency depending on the connection, go nuts.

Personally I have zero interest in this. It may well be the ONLY device that allows you to play PS5 specific titles on the go, the fact that it relies purely on wifi and streaming from my PS5 is why I'll never buy. Each to their own of course...

From my perspective, I'd rather invest in a Steamdeck or Handheld PC - like the RoG Ally for example. These devices offer ALL the same multi-platform games locally with less lag/latency and ultimately a bigger library of games to choose from too. However I appreciate that these 'cost' more and of course require you to buy games on that Platform - which isn't ideal for everyone, especially Playstation ONLY gamers. It seems somewhat 'niche' to me - aimed at those PS5 hardcore gamers who want to 'keep' playing their PS5 games when maybe they can't access the TV/Console itself. If I can't access my PS5, I'm happy to play games on my RoG Ally - whether they are on PS5 or not - and can 'return' to PS5 games specifically when I have access to my PS5 directly again.

@Quintumply Thanks, that's what I needed to know!

I would have an actual use for a PS Portal, when I'm visiting family and the TV is in use. It would mean leaving my PS5 in rest mode the whole time I'm away however....

And I will most likely put that money towards a new tablet, which I reckon my existing one will need replacing in the next 12 months or so. By then my Dad would have got a PS5, and that way I can use the remote play app and pair a Dual Sense controller to the tablet. I only use it over WiFi too, so don't use it for phonecalls or messaging like a mobile phone.

I don’t travel much, but this might be a good fit for lounging in bed with a turn based RPG (like Disco Elysium I’m playing now, Baldur’s Gate 3, Persona, Like a Desgon, etc) or narrative choice game (Like Life is Strange, The Quarry, Detroit Become Human, 13 Sentinels, etc.), or point and click strategy sims (like The Sims, Civilization, Farming Simulator, etc). And from the review it seems probably fine for even grinding with a slower tactical action game (like Dark Souls, Elden Ring, Assassins Creed, No Man’s Sky, etc.), or a cover based shooter or stealth (like Uncharted, or Mass Effect, Metal Gear Solid, etc.)

Also useful for chillin’ on the couch having a football game on the TV whilst knocking out a few levels of something that you don’t have to devote sustained attention to like a puzzle game (like Humanity, or Witness, etc) grinding in a card game (like Slay the Spire, or Gwent) or or even a simple platformer (like Sackboy, or Limbo).

In fact, the only types of games that might not be a good fit are fast-twitch games like competitive FPS, intense action games, fighting games, and racing or sports games. Also, the big visual spectacle experiences are probably best on the big screen. I wouldn’t necessarily want to experience Ghost of Tsushima or even Tetris Effect on the small screen, at least not as the sole way of playing it. Seeing the full large screen graphical beauty is part of the experience for some games.

That all said, I’ve not decided whether to bite yet. The price is a tad high. If I’m lucky, maybe Santa will bring me a PS Portal.

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I do have a question though. How does audio work with the unit? From the review it sounds like there’s no Bluetooth, so if one is to want to play with wireless headphones, you have to do it through Sony’s proprietary wireless tech and buy the Pulse Elite or Pulse Explore? And I assume those units just connect to the Portal without having to put a dongle in? If I’m close to my PS5 (like on the couch) and have my 3D Pulse headset dongle plugged into the PS5, would I be able to use those for audio whilst playing on the Portal?

I’d definitely want to have the ability to use headphones, and to buy the Pulse Elite or Pulse Explore with the Portal is going to put the whole package at $400, which is definitely on the edge of what I want to spend.

@LtSarge It gets even better.

The PlayStation Portal handheld may become a more enticing purchase for a wider range of players in the future, as Sony will be looking into implementing cloud streaming support in the coming months.
Speaking with Japanese publication AV Watch, Sony's Hideaki Nishino talked about the handheld console, saying that Remote Play and cloud streaming are only different in terms of server location, and thus there are no technical hurdles to overcome to implement cloud streaming support. As such, Sony has focused on Remote Play only for the time being but will be looking into expanding the console's features in the future.

@ItsIncognito this is when I'll be looking in to getting one. Streaming indie games from the cloud on a handheld is the closest we will get to having a new PS portable, and it is probably the best use for cloud gaming in future. Save the console for the big stuff. But have access to a bunch of smaller games more casually via PS Plus in a less restrictive way.

It would be nice if they made one with an SSD, or whatever, in the future for offline play though, maybe have it connect once a week or month to WiFi to validate your licenses/membership

Got mine this morning and took an extended lunch break for "personal reasons" lol. This thing is awesome, perfect device for someone like me. The lack of bluetooth is a pain in the a** but outside of that, I can see this taking up a decent chunk of my gaming time in the foreseeable future. Much lighter than I was expecting and oddly the controller portion feels better in my hands than the actual dualsense. Hopefully they release a black version in due time!

@Ravix I understand you.

I bought it for one simple reason. I don' t always have access to my TV. So this is convenient for me. I can play my PS5 games everywhere now.

I received the PlayStation Portal yesterday and it rules. It is truly awesome. It's running butter smooth. It even works on a hotspot. I tested it

I am loving my PlayStation Portal. It is awesome.

So jealous of everyone who's already got it. I found out the other day that the shipment to Sweden has apparently been delayed by a week, so the device isn't coming out here until 8th December. Not that one more week of waiting matters that much to me, I still got plenty to play until then. But I really want to give it a go ASAP lol.

This thing is epic. That was a great weekend of gaming. Wouldnt have got half as much gaming in on Playstation without this device this weekend. Love it.