Sony appears to be gearing up for a bold move into the portable gaming market, setting its sights on rivalling Nintendo's immensely successful Switch. According to a recent media report, the company is in the early stages of developing a handheld console capable of playing PlayStation 5 games natively. This strategic step could signal Sony’s renewed focus on hybrid gaming after years of dominance by Nintendo in the handheld space.
The timing for such a move seems apt, as the gaming landscape grows increasingly competitive. Nintendo has yet to officially reveal its next console, but speculation suggests a successor to the Switch, likely maintaining its hybrid design. Meanwhile, Microsoft has hinted at exploring portable gaming solutions, leaving Sony with little choice but to innovate in this arena.
Sony's foray into handhelds isn't entirely new, but past efforts, like the PSP and PS Vita, fell short of replicating Nintendo's blockbuster success. Unlike those devices, which relied on exclusive game libraries, these upcoming portable aims to leverage the PS5’s extensive catalogue, potentially offering players the ability to enjoy AAA titles on the go. Such an approach could grant the device a competitive edge in the burgeoning portable gaming market.
How this project will be different from the PlayStation Portal?
The report also highlights how this move builds upon Sony's existing portable hardware, the PlayStation Portal, released in November 2023. Initially limited to streaming PS5 games via a home console, the Portal recently expanded its capabilities, allowing PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers to stream select titles from the cloud. However, Bloomberg notes that Sony initially envisioned the Portal as a standalone gaming device, similar to Valve's Steam Deck. That vision now seems to be regaining momentum.
While details on the new portable console remain sparse, the decision to pursue a handheld that can play PS5 games natively could significantly boost Sony’s appeal. By directly competing with the Switch's hybrid portability while leveraging the PS5’s technical prowess, Sony aims to capture a slice of the handheld market that has long eluded it.