Technology is pretty interesting. There’s the technology everybody seeks out and must have because it’s so great and there’s the technology that sneaks up on us because we thought it was useless until we tried it. This was the PlayStation Portal for me until very recently. When the device was first announced, I failed to understand why it was even needed. We already have the SteamDeck and PlayStation Remote Play can be accomplished with a BackBone controller and your phone, why would we pay nearly over $200 after tax and warranties for device that can’t even operate as a standalone?
Before we answer that question, let me first explain what the PlayStation Portal actually is and how it works. The device is essentially an LCD sandwiched between two halves of a Dual Sense controller. The LCD is 8 inches and the display is 1920 x 1080 with a touch screen. It comes equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack as well as PS Link, Bluetooth is NOT a feature you get with this device, being replaced by the PS Link system for the new PlayStation Pulse earbuds, which feature Sony’s brand new technology that completely prevents latency issues with the headset and means the audio you year is instant and features zero dip in audio quality. I will have an additional review for the PlayStation Pulse headset coming after this, but today we are focusing on the Portal.
The Portal allows you to access your PlayStation from anywhere in the world so long as it is connected to the internet at home and you have a stable connection wherever you are with Remote Play. So, since the BackBone exists and most people play their consoles on larger TVs, why would you purchase a device that has no operating system of its own, can only play games when you’re connected to the host system, and requires an internet connection at all times? I’m happy to tell you several reasons.
I love playing Call of Duty, but I’m also one of those gamers who have to focus on what I’m doing and that usually means sitting close to the TV and in that straight up and looking at the TV position most gamers use their whole lives until they realize their bodies are getting older and no longer are able to endure sitting in a crappy craning their neck at a TV while wearing headphones that are so heavy the apply additional pressure to their neck and back. This device has functioned as a true lifesaver for my back.
The PlayStation Portal allows you to sit in far more comfortable positions in your house and still enjoy the same level of gaming that you would get sitting in front of a television. Beyond that, the Portal also offers something no other controller in the world can offer PlayStation fans and that’s the famous haptic system for their games. For the unfamiliar, haptics, or controller feedback, is the next evolution of a rumble controller. Haptics allow the user to feel the tension or the intensity of the moment through innovation and many PlayStation games function much differently without it. The Portal allows those haptics to shine while still giving gamers the choice of comfort while playing.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Portal isn’t meant to replace gaming on your TV. Think of it like the Steam Deck. Nobody would suggest that the Steam Deck is meant to replace PC gaming, it’s simply meant to provide gamers with the ability to game anywhere at any time and in any position. It’s meant to be an option rather than a primary console. It’s a damn good option.
The screen is vibrant and often times you will forget that you’re looking at a 1080 display rather than something like an OLED or a 4K display. Sony did a great job of getting blacker blacks and more vibrant colors while still keeping the price down on this thing and making it an affordable option to gamers who want to get the most out of their PlayStation 5 console. If you have the Pulse headset, you’re going to be able to feature everything within the Portal at the highest level.
The only complaint I have about this device is that sometimes I find myself hitting the share button while trying to tap the PS button. Yeah, that’s my big complaint, haha. It’s a nit-picky complaint when you get down to it because this system was really well-designed and extremely fun to use. If you’re a frequent PlayStation user and want to game on your couch as well as in bed, this device is definitely what you’ve been looking for from Sony.
So, who should buy this thing? If you play several hours a day most days of the week or you find yourself gaming on the go quite often, this system is definitely going to get used by you. At a price point of $199, it’s much more affordable than things like the Steam Deck and they’re getting easier and easier to come by. If you’re the kind of person who wishes they had a way to play a game in bed while your partner is watching TV or sleeping, you’re also the exact type of person who would benefit from this.
Who should not buy this? If you don’t play that often or prefer to play on a larger screen, this device isn’t going to get the type of usage that would offset the price of the Portal. It’s also not for people who are looking to modify or add things to the system to make it even better, as there’s no way to do this. The system simply functions as a link to your PlayStation and its lack of an internal OS means you either need to be an extremely proficient hacker or know someone who is. This isn’t a 3DS that you can jailbreak and make cool. You’ll turn it into a paperweight.
That’s pretty much the Portal in a nutshell. I am definitely excited to take this thing for a spin on some of the more complex games that I own. I’ve used it for Mortal Kombat 1, Street Figher 6, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. There’s a lot more I cannot wait to test. The Portal has been outstanding for my back and I can’t wait to see how Sony continues to support the system.