Claims are pointing that Sony is currently developing a new portable console, capable of playing PlayStation 5 games.
While Sony Interactive Entertainment have yet to comment on the matter, claims have been made about a new console in the works from team blue. This new console would be a portable one, allegedly able to run PlayStation 5 games. The initial report came from Bloomberg, reporting on an unannounced handheld console in the works. Supposedly, this would challenge the existing Nintendo Switch and the teased Xbox handheld that Microsoft gaming chief Phil Spencer teased was in the works but years still in development.
“Sony’s portable device is likely years away from launch and the company could still decide against bringing it to market, the people said, asking not to be named discussing private plans,” Bloomberg said. Essentially, this new handheld device would be something closer to the 2004-05 release of the PlayStation Portable (PSP), where full games could run on the device.
Then, in 2011, the PlayStation Vita was a step up from the PSP. Where the PSP was competing against the Nintendo DS, the PlayStation Vita was challenging the Nintendo 3DS. The handheld competition ended around 2013 when both of Sony’s portable consoles were discontinued, and then they re-focused back to home consoles with the PS4. This new PlayStation handheld would be the PSP meets 2023’s PlayStation Portal.
The PlayStation Portal was intended to be a streaming accessory, due to fact that the PS5 comes with Remote Play. Going even further, Sony just announced last week the PlayStation Portal will allow PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers to utilize cloud technology to stream their games on the go — even if they don’t have a PS5. Bloomberg reports that Sony initially aimed for the PlayStation Portal to function as a standalone device, like Valve’s Steam Deck.
Based on the recent console release patterns of various PlayStation consoles, the PS6 is slated to be released in 2027. But maybe with the recent launch of the PS5 Pro, the next console release will be a handheld one. Sony has been doing well with PlayStation exclusive games, but the flak comes from its ability to keep their development studios open. Concord dev Firewalk recently shut down, along with 900 Sony staff being laid off. The layoffs affected numerous studios including Insomniac, Naughty Dog, Guerrilla, and Firesprite, but PlayStation’s London studio was hit hardest with a notice of closure.
To bolster Sony’s gaming departments, they have made an offer to buy Kadokawa Corporation—owner of FromSoftware. This deal would secure PlayStation in charge of popular games like Elden Ring, the Dark Souls and Armored Core games, and the already PlayStation exclusive Bloodborne. Sony appears to be battling on two fronts: the console war and the gaming studio acquisition war. Sony has yet to comment on the reported new portable console.
