Ladies and gentlemen, welcome the PlayStation Portal. Remember Google Stadia? It’s incredibly similar to it. The PlayStation Portal is a remote PS5 player that lets you play on the go. You just have to be connected to the Internet. So, it’s practically a streaming device, not a standalone console like the PSP and PS Vita were. This means you can’t download games on it because of the lack of storage.
The opinions at Player.me were a little varied, but the majority agreed that the PlayStation Portal isn’t worth its weight in gold, except if your needs are specific. If you live with your partner or have kids, this PS5 accessory is for you. This is because streaming is still a finicky ordeal, even with the invention of 5G. So, we recommend that gamers wait until it’s on sale. In the meantime, here are the features of Sony’s latest handheld gaming solution. We also included a guide on how to access your favourite games.
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How to Play Games on the PlayStation Portal?
Playing your favourite PS5 games couldn’t be easier but you’ll need your PS5 and a fast and stable Wi-Fi connection. Yes, your PlayStation Portal and PS5 are required to be on the same Wi-Fi before you can start mirroring games. If your home and region meet these requirements, then the PlayStation Portal is a viable option for you.
You’ll be able to play all of the games you’ve purchased and downloaded on your PS5, including the likes of Astro’s Playroom, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and many others, including racing games. If a game isn’t downloaded and locally installed on your PS5, you won’t be able to play it. Additionally, the PlayStation Portal can’t stream games via the subscription-based gaming platform, PlayStation Plus Premium.
It doesn’t stop there either. You also won’t be able to purchase games on your PlayStation Portal. At least, not without visiting the PlayStation Store on your PS5 first. This isn’t exactly the PlayStation handheld of our dreams, but many of our reviewers own a PS5. Why? Because it’s pretty convenient to play a match of EA FC 24 while the kids watch their favourite shows.
Its Minor Limitations
The handheld is a contender for Steam Deck alternative of the year. However, it also has some other limitations but none as prominent as its lack of flexibility. This portable device streams your entire PS5 user interface, which means it’s remotely controlling your main console. So, if your partner or kid wants to play another game or movie on your PS5, it’s impossible.
Another underwhelming experience is that the majority of media apps that you’ll find on your main gaming device have been blocked on the handheld. So, it’s only ideal for playing games and even then, you need a stable connection of at least 5 Mbps. To enjoy the experience, you need upwards of 15 Mbps. Even then, the PlayStation Portable only supports Wi-Fi 5 in a world where Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E are becoming the norm.
The PlayStation Portal | Its Strengths, Weaknesses, and Everything in Between
The PlayStation Portal is one of a kind! However, we were expecting a dedicated handheld device that could store our games, just like the Nintendo Switch can. Don’t get us wrong, we love the PlayStation Portal, which is why we’ve rounded up all of its top features. However, its features are limited in scope so we made sure to highlight those limits too.
#1: DualSense Features
The PlayStation Portal boasts some DualSense features, like haptic feedback and comfortable grips. It’s not a DualSense, since the grips sandwich a large screen. Instead, it bridges the world between a controller and a beautiful LCD screen. It’s one of the best PS5 accessories out there. Thus, gamers will experience detailed feedback when playing EA FC 24, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and Returnal.
However, the DualSense features contribute to the chunky size of the PlayStation Portal. For one, the handheld weighs a whopping 529 grams. This is 100 grams more than the Nintendo Switch OLED with the Joy-Con controllers attached. We don’t expect to see the PlayStation Portal sell like Drake’s concert tickets. So, we’re not expecting any future version that will streamline its design. Finally, the handheld is super comfortable in the hands so the size won’t matter.
#2: Super-Low Latency
Devices that stream games like PlayStation Portal are usually plagued by latency issues. Latency issues refer to the gap between executing a move and your game avatar executing the said move. That small lag is called latency and the good news is that Sony managed to solve that issue for the most part with the PlayStation Portal. The RPG games we tested, including Horizon Forbidden West, Elden Ring, Red Dead Redemption, Disco Elysium, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, and even Fortnite, ran smoothly. Our go-to game right now is Cyberpunk 2077 and other games like it. Luckily, there are no glitches to worry about. After all, this is still a remote for your console.
We never encountered a lag that was devastating enough to blame for our losses in campaign duels against bosses. However, when we switched to games that shined the brightest in online multiplayer mode, the PlayStation Portal fell flat on its face. In a world where games like Rocket League are cross-platform, latency can determine your wins and losses. You’ll lose a lot of matches online, especially in games like Call of Duty: Warzone and Apex Legends.
#3: Big LCD Screen
The PlayStation Portal costs £200 so it’s not exactly cheap. In return, players will enjoy an 8-inch LCD that can stream games at 1080p and render games at 60 FPS. That’s not impressive in a world where the Samsung S23 Ultra exists because the aforementioned smartphone can also stream PS5 games but at a staggering 120 HZ frame rate. The phone also boasts an OLED screen that’s capable of streaming games in 4K so colours will be far better. However, no smartphone screen can come close to the LCD screen of the PlayStation Portal. Even if it’s less vibrant and accessible than smartphones.
#4: Conquer Your Living Room (Somewhat)
The good thing about the PlayStation Portal is that someone else can use the PS5 while you’re streaming games. It only needs to establish a connection with your console and you’re good. Nevertheless, you still need a PS5 to experience the PlayStation Portal, despite Sony’s aggressive marketing efforts to convince users otherwise. There’s no workaround so picture this streaming device as an extension of your PS5. It’s just another peripheral for consuming video games when your living room is busy.
#5: Experience PULSE Explore
Yes, the PlayStation Portal doesn’t have Bluetooth. Sony luckily has a workaround that enables the PULSE Explore earbuds to wirelessly connect to the streaming device. The connection is lightning-fast, clear, and capable, with detailed highs, mids, and lows. Thankfully, its latency is ultra-low so you’re not missing any dialogue. Unfortunately, the PULSE Explore will cost £200, which is the same price as the PlayStation Portal.
#6: Long Battery Life
The battery life of the PlayStation Portal is phenomenal since it only uses a 1080p screen. True, the screen in question renders gameplay at 60 FPS, but it’s not as power-draining as an OLED screen. The reason why it’s not too draining is that your PS5 is doing most of the work. It runs the games on your PS5 and then streams them to your PlayStation Portal via a strong Wi-Fi connection. So, it’s similar to watching videos on your smartphone. Just with the added effort of sending your commands and feedback to your console to control your character.
Unfortunately, the 4,370 mAh battery inside this handheld is non-removable but it does charge using a USB-C cord. That’s your MacBook charger so you can expect fast charging times of upwards of 2 hours. On the bright side, you’ll be able to use the PlayStation Portal for at least four-and-a-half hours. It all depends on the speaker’s volume level, haptic feedback setting, and brightness level. If you can tweak the settings a little bit, you might be able to squeeze out between 7 and 10 hours of playtime from it.
What About the PS Remote Play App?
The PS Remote Play App is still available and the funny fact is that it’s free. You can download the app on your smartphone, tablet, or laptop anytime you want. With the free app available, we can relate to most gamers when they decide not to purchase the PlayStation Portal. Especially as you can only stream games to your smartphone and other gadgets via a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Nevertheless, it all boils down to a matter of convenience because Sony’s latest handheld can do something that your iPad can’t. It can turn on your PS5 remotely without having to stand up, so those DualSense features are handy. Pardon our pun, being able to turn on your PS5 from your outdoor patio is bonkers!
Our Final Say: Is Your Wi-Fi Fast?
Foremost, we’re glad that Sony is joining the bandwagon of streaming games online. It’ll push other companies and even network providers to invest in 5G and IoT. However, 5G isn’t as prevalent as one would expect because many people are still concerned about its adverse health effects. So, we hope your Internet is fast.
We experienced many constant connection issues while testing the PlayStation Portal with our PS5s. To be candid, you should expect your gameplay to be interrupted every 12 minutes or so. Waiting periods to reconnect to your PS5 usually take half a minute at the most. This isn’t too annoying if your Wi-Fi speeds are top-notch.
Also, the lack of Bluetooth is concerning because the PULSE Explore earbuds aren’t available yet. So, you can’t connect to the PS5’s headset, the PULSE 3D accessory, or any of the console’s peripherals. One workaround is using a Bluetooth dongle plugged into the 3.5mm jack. Still, the PlayStation Portal is an accessory, and it’s a powerful one. It lets you play games even when you’re on vacation but you’ll need a speedy Internet or Wi-Fi connection.