Sony is reportedly looking to develop a new handheld device meant to run PlayStation 5 games natively. This news comes according to Bloomberg and makes sense given the reinvested interest console manufacturers have showcased in handheld gaming.
People close to the development have stated that the handheld is early in its development and is meant to compete with the Nintendo Switch, which to date has sold 146 million units so far. Sony will most almost assuredly not see the release of the handheld prior to the release of the Switch’s successor, but there is little reason to suspect the Switch 2 will not see the same trajectory.
If everything lines up, it could also be competing head-to-head with Microsoft as well, as they have expressed interest in the handheld market and have started they have a portable device in development as well though it is years away still. They have also stated their device could be scrapped prior to even seeing release.
Unlike Microsoft however, Sony has a history in the portable market having entered the space with the PlayStation Portable in 2004, ultimately shipping 82 million units. The console was followed up by the PlayStation Vita in 2011, although the platform failed to gain the same success outside of Japan.
Most recently Sony released the PlayStation Portal, a handheld streaming device that can synch with the PlayStation 5 to stream your platform and games. Unlike the Valvues Steam Deck and Nintendo’s Switch, both work natively to run games, the Portal requires a console and internet to function. In the latest patch for the platform, the Portal has gained the ability to stream games from the PlayStation Plus Premium collection, giving more versatility in how it can be used, but still requiring an additional purchase to function.
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