PlayStation Portal Guide

The PlayStation Portal launched in November 2023, around the same time as the PlayStation 5 (Slim). It puts PS5 games in the palm of your hand thanks to the DualSense-style controls flanking an 8-inch 1080p LCD with a 60Hz refresh rate. Rather than offering all the capabilities of the best handheld gaming PCs and other handheld gaming devices, like the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2, it’s a remote player that originally required a PS5 console and a strong Wi-Fi connection to play games. It led many to question, "Who’s the PS Portal for?" Still, it proved useful for playing PlayStation games from different rooms in your home and even away from the house when you have great Wi-Fi.

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While a strong Wi-Fi connection is still a must, Sony now offers full cloud game streaming support on the PS Portal with a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, making it go from one of the best PS5 accessories to a great standalone device, too. With this new functionality comes access to hundreds of top PS5 games, and you no longer need a link to your PlayStation 5 console. Sony’s recent system software update also brings an enhanced cloud streaming experience. Plus, the latest update introduces a 1080p High Quality mode to both remote play and streaming for smoother, high-fidelity gaming.

PlayStation Portal Review

IGN’s Seth G. Macy had a chance to review the PlayStation Portal, giving it a "Great" 8/10 rating. Below is what he had to say about the remote player:

"The PlayStation Portal is the most surprising device I've ever come away from loving after going in loaded with skepticism. It's such a better experience than using your phone with a slap-on controller, and it works so much better than I was anticipating. I really love the freedom it gives me to play my PS5 from anywhere with decent WiFi coverage, especially when the rest of my family was using the TV to (somewhat ironically) play the Switch. Bearing in mind that it’s in no way a stand-alone device and 100% requires a PlayStation 5 to function at all, the biggest things keeping the Portal from being a truly amazing device are its current lack of a way to access WiFi that requires a web browser to log in, and its lack of Bluetooth support for audio. For now, it's a great device that represents the best current solution for PlayStation Remote Play, and if it weren't for those two baffling caveats, I'd call this a must-own device for every PS5 owner who enjoys playing games on handheld – or has to compete for the household TV."

PlayStation Portal Specs

The PS Portal’s specs may seem rather minimal, especially when looking at the CPU, RAM, and storage, but that’s because it’s a remote player used exclusively for playing PlayStation games over a strong Wi-Fi connection. It doesn’t offer the many capabilities of gaming PC handhelds and can’t run games locally, like the Steam Deck or Legion Go. Instead, the chip and RAM primarily handle video decoding for remote play, while saves are made to the PS5 console or in the cloud.

As for the rest of the specs, they’re mostly in line with other handheld gaming devices, with the stunning 8-inch 1080p LCD and familiar, comfortable DualSense-style controls being standout features. The most notable omission from the remote player is Bluetooth connectivity, so you’ll be relying on the built-in speakers or a wired headset. For wireless listening, your only option is grabbing a headset that supports PlayStation Link.

PlayStation Portal Accessories

A few great PlayStation Portal accessories can either amp up your playing experience or provide a healthy dose of protection to ensure you don’t brick the remote player. Whether you’re looking for a dock, like the only officially licensed one from PowerA, or one of the best PS Portal cases and a solid screen protector, there are a wealth of options available. You may even want to consider grabbing a reliable power bank, even though this gaming handheld has a decent battery life. Plus, be sure to pick up one of the best USB-C chargers, since the PS Portal doesn’t include a wall charging block.

Compatible Headphones

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Finding compatible headphones to use with the PS Portal can be a challenge, as it lacks Bluetooth support. That means many of the best gaming headsets won't work unless they have a 3.5mm audio cable. If you’d like to listen wirelessly, the only natively compatible headphones must support PlayStation Link, a proprietary low-latency wireless technology. Unfortunately, your options are limited to only two top PlayStation 5 headsets: the PlayStation Pulse Explore Buds and Pulse Elite Headphones. Your other option for wireless listening is using a Bluetooth adapter that slots into a standard 3.5mm jack, but latency will likely be an issue.

PlayStation Portal Compatible Games

When using the PlayStation Portal remotely with your PlayStation 5 console, almost every PlayStation 5 and backward-compatible PS4 game will work via Remote Play. The only exception is VR titles or other games that use a peripheral other than a top PS5 controller for use. Just note that any game you wish to play must be installed and downloaded on the console. Additionally, a high-speed wireless internet connection of 5Mbps or higher (15Mbps or more is ideal), a free PlayStation Network account, and the console in Rest Mode with Remote Play active are the only other requirements.

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Almost any compatible game on the console will work just as well on the Portal. Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers are even supported in compatible games, just like the DualSense controller. Given the reliance on a strong and stable internet connection, some first-person shooters don’t run the best. A few top PS5 picks for playing on PS Portal include Spider-Man 2, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Astro Bot, and Star Wars Outlaws.

The new support for cloud game streaming on PlayStation Portal with a PlayStation Plus Premium membership brings access to the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, allowing you to instantly play hundreds of PS5 games and some classics—no download required. Best of all, you don’t need to have the games installed on your PS5, since you don’t need to be connected to the console at all. Titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and God of War Ragnarök are all currently available for streaming with PlayStation Plus Premium. Multiplayer access and game trials also come with the membership.

Where to Buy - Price and Availability

When it comes to PlayStation Portal models, there is essentially just one to choose from. It features the 8-inch LCD and DualSense-style controls. Some regional variations exist, but for the most part, every PS Portal is the same. The only real difference is color; it comes in either the originally released White or Midnight Black colorway. Both complement the console perfectly. However, rumors of an OLED model are circulating.

The PlayStation Portal is available directly from PlayStation Direct or from most major retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target. Its retail price was 199ドル.99. Unfortunately, the remote handheld and PS5 recently received a price hike, raising the PS Portal’s MSRP 50ドル to 249ドル.99 due to "continued pressures in the global economic landscape." However, you can occasionally score extra savings during major deal periods like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Prime Day, similar to the best times to buy a PS5.

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