The PlayStation Portal Turns Your PS5 Into a Handheld, Sorta

Sony's method of creating handheld gaming devices can be confusing at times. Although their past device, the PlayStation Vita, was good, it didn't gain as much popularity as the PlayStation Portable. However, fans still believed that a successor could be released, particularly after the Switch revitalized the handheld gaming industry. But Sony didn't release a new device, instead they introduced the PlayStation Portal.

The Portal is trying to keep up with the current rise in popularity of gaming handhelds, but it works differently than most of them. Rather than downloading games onto the device and being able to play them anywhere, you can only play games through streaming from your PlayStation 5 to the Portal. As long as you have a good internet connection, streaming can be done either at home via Wi-Fi or over the internet. However, your PlayStation 5 must be on and connected to the internet to act as a server.

At just $200, this handheld device is among the most affordable options available. However, it comes with a catch - you must also purchase a console that costs no less than $400 in order for it to function. This begs the question: Who is the target audience for this product? Surprisingly, it appears that there may be a demand for it.

One of the main reasons why people find devices like the Switch appealing is the freedom to play games anywhere. This means you can play while you're on a plane, at a rooftop party, or even at a picnic table located beside a basketball court underneath a freeway overpass. This idea is attractive, and I've personally used my Switch in many of the mentioned situations. However, I don't frequently hang out at a trendy rooftop party or travel by plane. Most of my days are spent relaxing on my couch or bed, and that's when I enjoy playing games the most.

If I feel like playing Spider-Man 2 but don't want to be in the living room, I can use the Portal to relax in bed with my game. It's also useful if I want to play games in the living room while my partner is watching a show on TV. The concept is similar to Nintendo's Wii U, but the Portal actually functions properly.

Kind of. The Portal lets you view your entire PS5 interface, just like a remote computer desktop app. It shows you all menus and options that you can see on your TV screen, as long as your TV is turned on. Therefore, you cannot play games on the Portal while someone else is watching Netflix on your PlayStation. It's a complete replica of what's on your TV. Additionally, there are limitations to what you can watch on the Portal, as most media applications are restricted. So, you can't utilize it to watch your favorite TV shows either.

The gaming console solely operates games, but it requires a strong internet connection. Sony advises that at least 5 Mbps is needed, and ideally 15 Mbps. However, based on my personal encounters, having higher speeds is preferable (if available).

Surprisingly, the Portal screen is only capable of streaming games that have already been installed on your PS5. Unfortunately, the selection of games available for streaming via a PS Plus Premium subscription cannot be viewed on the Portal screen, even if you have a TV connected to your PS5. It would be fantastic if Sony were to enable players to use the Portal screen as an additional means of accessing its game streaming service, but this is currently not an available option.

's words, is a "public office." The Controller in the United States is responsible for overseeing financial operations within the government. The position was established in 1789, and the first person to hold the title was Alexander Hamilton. The role has since evolved, and the modern Controller is responsible for ensuring that government agencies and departments are operating efficiently and effectively while maintaining transparency and accountability. Twain referred to the Controller as a "public office," which means that it is a position of great importance and responsibility within the government. In the US, the Controller is in charge of supervising the financial operations of the government. This position has been in existence since 1789, with the first Controller being Alexander Hamilton. Over time, the Controller's role has expanded, and today, it is tasked with overseeing the efficiency and effectiveness of government agencies and departments while also maintaining transparency and accountability.

One of the most impressive features of the Portal is also one of its biggest advantages. Essentially, it's a standard DualSense controller that's been cut in half, with a screen inserted in the middle. As a result, every game that you play on the Portal was specifically built to work with the controller that you're holding. You don't have to spend time trying to figure out how to map buttons to work with a controller or use a trackpad to mimic a computer mouse, which is often required with other gaming handhelds that run on Windows.