PlayStation Portal Releases November 15th for $199.99. And Here’s Why I Won’t Buy One.

The PlayStation Portal is a handheld gaming device that allows you to play your PS5 games on a portable screen. It is essentially a dedicated remote play device, meaning that it streams games from your PS5 console to the Portal’s screen.

The Portal has an 8-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 1080p and a refresh rate of 60fps. It also features the same haptic feedback and adaptive trigger technology as the DualSense controller. This means that you can enjoy all the immersive sensations of your favorite PS5 games, even when you’re not playing on a TV.

The Portal connects to your PS5 console over Wi-Fi, so you’ll need to make sure that your console is connected to the internet. Once it’s connected, you can simply press a button on the Portal to start playing your games.

The PlayStation Portal is priced at $199.99 and will be available for purchase starting on November 15, 2023.

Here is my review of the PlayStation Portal:

Pros:

  • Small and portable
  • 8-inch LCD screen with 1080p resolution
  • Haptic feedback and adaptive trigger technology
  • Compatible with all PS5 games
  • Battery life of up to 5 hours

Cons:

  • Requires a PS5 to be turned on and in range and on the same WiFi network as the portal making it impossible to take anywhere outside your home unless you take the PS5 too.
  • Game streaming can be unreliable if the Wi-Fi signal is weak
  • Small screen can be cramped for some games
  • Expensive price tag for its limited “portability”.

Overall:

I do not recommend the PlayStation Portal. It is a cool concept, but it is not practical for most people. The biggest problem is that you need to have your PS5 turned on and in range in order to use it. This means that you can’t really take it with you on the go, and you’re limited to playing games in the same room as your PS5.

The game streaming can also be unreliable if the Wi-Fi signal is weak. This can lead to lag and stuttering, which can ruin the gaming experience.

For the price, I think there are better options available. If you want to play PS5 games on the go, I would recommend getting a laptop or tablet. These devices are more portable and have larger screens, so you will have a better gaming experience.

You can also use a cloud gaming service like PlayStation Now. These services allow you to stream games to any device with an internet connection. This is a great option if you don’t want to carry around a bulky gaming console.

Recommendation: I recommend using PlayStation Now or other cloud streaming services instead of the PlayStation Portal. These services are more portable and reliable, and they offer a wider variety of games to choose from.