Back when the PS Portal was rumoured and subsequently announced, social media was filled with armchair executives deeming the device to be a disaster. As it turns out, Sony understands the market better than many people think, and its PS5 streaming handheld has become a lynchpin of its new-gen console’s overall experience. According to Circana statistics, the unit was once again the best-selling video game accessory in the United States for the month of April. It’s also the best-selling accessory of 2024 to date.
It’s worth noting that this data is determined by dollar sales, and with a $199.99 price point attached, the PS Portal does have an advantage over other items like the much cheaper DualSense. However, there are other pricey items in the same category, like the premium pro controller DualSense Edge or the various PlayStation branded headphones, all of which are being handily outsold by the portable platform.
Sony has reiterated on multiple occasions that the PS Portal has exceeded its expectations, and given this level of success, we’d expect future consoles to improve massively on the concept. Many feel the Japanese giant would be better served creating a dedicated handheld like the PS Vita, but if it can continue to iterate on its streaming solution, we think Remote Play can plug the gap without demanding additional development resources.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 31
There was a rumor of a new portable with power on par to PS4 a week ago (on another gaming news site?). Still a rumor, mind you, but it does seem that Sony is considering wanting to enter back into the market, especially when the Switch's successor is being revealed here soon (also rumored to have the same power near a PS4, and FF7 Remake being one of the launch titles), and popularity with the PC and Emulation handhelds.
Definitely a new PSP would benefit to freeing up my backlog of PS4 games natively on the go. Would also benefit with cartridges and the whole cross-buy/save.
This will give the PS4 even longer legs.
The PS Portal isn't for me, but I'm glad it's selling well. I recently got a PSVita and it's made me realise how much I would love a new proper handheld from Sony. Saying that, the Vita actually holds up quite well by today's standards. I still find it impressive that I can play something like Uncharted: Golden Abyss on the go.
@Bentleyma Vita is a great system. Best D-Pad ever, when I use any other controller or handheld there is only mushiness, no responsive clicking.
If only the DualSense picked up on that.
it could have been so much more
bluetooth
streaming ps+ premium games
@trev666 You are talking about a console dude not an accessory, portal is an accessory.
I’ve been able to put an unhealthy amount of time into Balatro because of my Portal. No longer have to choose between gaming or being cosy in bed after the wife falls asleep, and can play when away from home as long as I have wifi. Its a great device.
@GymratAmarillo I think you misunderstand.
The Portal has no Bluetooth. This means no Bluetooth headphone compatibility. So it only allows wired headphones or PlayStation headphones which are stupidly expensive.
The other factor is you can’t stream PS Plus games from the internet. Which is not good.
Premium games are streaming only. They can’t be downloaded onto your PS5 so they are inaccessible on the Portal.
@Kienda the only games on premium that are streaming only are PS3 games. So basically the portal can't play PS3 games from plus but every other game on plus is playable on it because apart from PS3 games all other games can be downloaded
I don't mean for this to sound negative but can anyone who has a Portal explain why they bought this?
I recently played game pass on my tablet and it worked great. I assume remote play on the tablet would be the same, so why buy a portal at twive the price of a tablet (I know they range in price but it's easy to pick up a decent tablet for £100).
I have never used remote play except on the old PSTV which I picked up on clearance for £20, many years ago.
I’ve barely played on the TV since getting my portal and I’ve managed to play a lot more games. Definitely an unnecessary luxury item, but I love it.
@Pinkman using a tablet you need two devices, a controller and the tablet. I use my portal in the garden when out with my animals and it's great, I need one device I turn it on and within 30 seconds I'm playing a ps5 game with full dualsense features.
It's all down to ease of use which the portal is great at.
Since the Dreamcast, there have been grand plans for controllers to have in-built screens. Playstation has found the middle ground by not making a default controller with a screen, but by making it an optional accessory
@Pinkman I bought one so I could play anywhere in my house without being tied to my TV and it's an all-in-one solution. I don't need to stand a tablet up and use a separate controller, it's just really handy. It's really comfortable to use and I'm very happy with my purchase.
Plenty of people fell into the trap of it's not for me so it's a disaster. There's a market for this, I want sure goes much but clearly enough and more for Sony.
My portal is great. Yes there are other ways to achieve the same thing, but this is better. It's just a great experience and form factor.
Some people still missing the point that it's not a portal console it's an accessory. But if Sony did go all in and make a PS steam deck if be all over that as well😁. But it's a totally different device. Different use case. And majorly different price point.
@Bentleyma I’ve loved my Portal and played at home and at mum parents 200 miles away, having a great experience. Have you tried the Portal?
@Soulspinner well worded and when people bad mouth the device, they should give it a try before hand
@Pinkman I bought a Portal and have been loving it. I think if you experience the device first hand you’ll get the experience and how awesome it is.
I definitely don't see the appeal personally but hey, good for the people that it is for. Have fun.
@luigia @Soulspinner @Snostorm8 tha ms for the responses. Glad to hear you all love the Portal, it sounds like convenience is the main selling point for this, and I can understand why having a single handheld device would be better for a lot of people than a tablet and controller.
I will try and get my hands on a friends, to see if it's worth me picking up
@Pinkman I don't have one but several of my gaming dad's (and mum's) have them and love it. It allows them to pick up and play PlayStation when the TV is occupied, or in bed, without all the faff of setting up a tablet/phone and a controller and sometimes a clip. Plus the 8" screen size vs the arms length distance you play it is just about perfect. Phone is too small, you can't read text as is standard tablet on a table unless you put your nose right up in it. Could it be better? Yes, but don't underestimate convenience, it's a solid device that fits a lot of people.
@trev666 Bluetooth has an audio delay so it is not ideal for gaming, it's why Xbox and PlayStation have their own proprietary connections. As for cloud streaming I believe an exec said the PS Portal can do it in theory but they are likely waiting for more or better infrastructure. It would be a nice value add if they do it.
Now please make a portable console that can play game natively. Like steam deck. And im gonna buy on day 1
@Pinkman please do but ensure your PS5 is LAN connected to your Router; your router is in a nice open space free from obstruction and your router has 2.4 & 5Ghz channels separate and connect Portal onto 5Ghz 👍🏻
A steam deck-like portable that can play all past PS gen games natively AND stream PS5 is all I'd need.
It’s not a trap, the portal is what it is. Everything the WiiU controller wasn’t. The portal works great inside or outside, on the road or anywhere. I love the portal, barely touched my tv since I own the portal. And that says something.
@Pinkman
It’s the ergonomics and parity with dualsense features. Sure I could save £100 and and get a cheap tablet to stream to, but I’ve tried that with phones and various stands and clips and it’s awkward and uncomfortable. And forget about laying down on my back in bed and playing, it wouldn’t be possible. Then you have the easy fast connection and reassurance it will always be updated. For £100 it’s a no brainer for me.
It’s fairer to ask why this and not the steamdeck. But then you’d have to switch the price points around.
The most beautiful portable console ever. Just wish it had a native console inside and was not tethered to your ps5
I want this to be as successful as possible for Sony to actually greenlight a PS Vita successor. We've been long overdue for one
@Luigia you can use it away from the home? I though it was tied to being on same network. If more open then I think I'm no longer on the fence 😀
@jamiestogden correct you can use from outside of your home, wherever there’s Internet without a login/signup portal like everyone’s households or via your mobile hotspot. Playing 2 hours of Cyberpunk 200 miles away from my PS5 on the portal was amazing
@jamiestogden You can use it away from home, but bandwidth and latency are more likely to start being an issue. A lot depends on the quality of your Internet connection - both the upload speed for the network the PS5 is on, and the download speed on the connection for your Portal (or any other Remote Play device - I don't personally have a Portal, but a ROG Ally, and I have similar issues). You won't have a great experience if either connection is low bandwidth or high latency, or if the route between the two is bad.
The better the connections, the better the experience will be. And I do miss not having the full DualSense support with my ROG Ally (just not enough to buy a Portal as well).
@Pinkman I don't think it's useful when you can buy a backbone or similar attachment and turn your phone/tablet into a portal for less than half the price, and have all the function of a portal except haptics.
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