Yesterday, Sony announced a new hand-held console called the PlayStation Portal.
Finally! Some real competition for the overpriced Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch! And for just $199! Surely it’s too good to be true? Well, yes. Yes it is.
When you start to read about this “console”, you quickly realise it isn’t a console at all. Even though the promotional images and videos show it being played as a hand-held, they don’t show the whole story.
Instead of the PlayStation Portal being a standalone device, it’s merely a second monitor for the PS5. Your PS5 has to be on and running, as well as being connected to the internet, for you to use the Portal.
It’s essentially cloud-based gaming, but you’re not allowed to leave your home, as it must be connected to the same wi-fi network as your PS5. So what’s the point?