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There’s never been a better time to enjoy video games on the go or while watching something else on your television screen. Between theNintendo Switchand theSteam Deck, a seemingly infinite amount of fantastic games have become easier to enjoy wherever you are, and, with the addition of thePlayStation Portal, you’re able to now experience your favoritePlayStation 5games anywhere you like, as long as you have wi-fi access.
The PlayStation Portal was unveiled in early 2023 and eventually launched on November 15th later that year. The device lets you stream any game from your PlayStation 5 library to its gorgeous 8-inch LCD screen, including massive titles likeSpider-Man 2,Elden Ring, andBaldur’s Gate 3. While the device is definitely neat and provides new ways to play your favorite games, you might still be on the fence about picking one up. This guide will help you decide whether the PlayStation Portal is worth it.
Review
While TheGamer doesn’t have an official review of the PlayStation Portal on the website, Sai Vsr went over his impressions of the device in his “How Exactly Does The PlayStation Portal Work?” article. There, he writes about his experience with the handheld and the pros and cons of playing your games on it.
…the quality of the gameplay that you’re gonna get on the PlayStation Portal depends largely on the strength and stability of your internet connection. For the best performance,Sony recommends using a high-speed, low-latency connection. Preferably wired, or a 5 GHz band if you go wireless.
Vsr praises the PlayStation Portal’s form and how comfortable it is to use for longer sessions. “Thesmooth, compact design offers maximum portabilitywithout skimping on that signature PlayStation polish. The intuitive, gaming-centric interface also hits the mark. Controls mirror the acclaimed DualSense wireless controller to provide instant familiarity, while the high-res display pops with the graphics PlayStation fans expect.”
In his article, Vsr also explains how easy it is to connect your Portal to your PlayStation, so you can start streaming games almost immediately. “The console just needs to stay hooked up online like usual. Next, fire up your Portal, have it use the same Wi-Fi as your online PS5, and log into your PlayStation account. That’s it! You’re all set to go.”
It’s not mentioned in the article, but it should be noted that the PlayStation Portal isonly designed to stream games from your library, so you can’t use it for media apps like YouTube, Netflix, or Crunchyroll.
Time Expenditure
With a fully charged battery, the PlayStation Portal canrun for about four to eight hours, depending on which game you are playing and how bright you want the screen to be.
Aside from that, the amount of time you spend with the PlayStation Portal depends on what types of games you prefer to play on it. You canspend hundreds of hours with the deviceif you choose to.
Cost
The PlayStation Portal isavailable for $199.99at most retailers. While the PlayStation 5 comes in multiple colors with a variety of different bundles to choose from, the PlayStation Portal is only available in white with zero games attached to it.
What Players Are Saying
A Stable Connection Makes For a Decent Couch Companion - Jerel Levy
When it comes to the PlayStation Portal, you’ve got to take it as it comes. This means don’t expect it to be more than what it is. If you can go into it understanding that it’s a machine meant to allow you to play on the couch when someone needs the TV or you don’t want to use it, you’ll be happily content with what it provides. I’ve been able to take my PlayStation Portal to friends' houses several miles away and play games like Overwatch and Final Fantasy 16 just fine on it.
If you purchase it for its use as a mirror to your TV screen and have a decent enough connection, it’s definitely worth it. It beats lugging your entire PS5 around. Otherwise, you can give it a hard pass.
