Move Over PlayStation Portal: Sony’s New Handheld to Bring PS5 Gaming Anywhere

Handheld gaming devices are making a major comeback, and it seems Sony is jumping back into the fray with plans for a new portable console that isn’t reliant on the cloud.

It’s a familiar story in the gaming world: Nintendo sets a trend, and everyone else chases it. This has been true since the days of the attempted Nintendo-Sony console collaboration that never came to pass. Sony eventually made their mark in the handheld space with the PSP, yet the PS Vita didn’t quite hit the mark, leading Sony to step back from handhelds. Fast forward to the launch of the PS Portal last year, a device requiring a robust internet connection as it operates via the cloud. However, Bloomberg now reports that Sony is supposedly crafting a new handheld that lets you enjoy PS5 games on the go.

People in the know suggested to Bloomberg that Sony’s ambition is to broaden its market influence, challenging Nintendo’s stronghold on portable consoles. Furthermore, there’s speculation about an Xbox handheld, which Microsoft’s Phil Spencer recently confirmed is in development. Don’t hold your breath for Sony’s console just yet, though; it’s reportedly several years from being ready for release. And as with any project in this early stage, there’s always a chance it might not see the light of day.

Bloomberg also noted that insiders mentioned the PS Portal was initially meant to function similarly to Valve’s Steam Deck — a standalone device that doesn’t rely on an internet connection for gameplay. However, it went the way of cloud dependency instead. The reasons behind this decision remain unclear.

For months, whispers of a new Sony handheld have circulated, hardly a shock given the runaway success of Nintendo’s Switch. If Sony’s new device is intended for PS5 games, it seems logical it would be a digital-only console, much like the Steam Deck. Sony appears to be embracing digital with open arms; even the base PS5 Pro lacks a disc drive. So, it’s a good idea to gear up for this ongoing evolution toward digital gaming.