(Credit: Sony)
Sony is reportedly making a new handheld gaming console designed to play PlayStation 5 games on the go.
That's according to new findings from Bloomberg, which adds that this would be more of a standalone handheld than the $200 PlayStation Portal and be designed to rival the Nintendo Switch. The Switch has more functionality than the existing PSP because it can be used as a standalone console docked to a TV screen, lets multiple players connect to the device with additional controllers, and lets you play while traveling, including support for offline play.
This new handheld could let you play PS5 games anywhere, including outside your home, though it's currently unclear whether it would support a full 5G connection as well as Wi-Fi. For now, any further details about the possible device are just speculation at this point.
Until very recently, the PSP required a PS5 console to use. Now, if you have a PlayStation Plus subscription, you can stream games through the cloud directly to your PSP. Previously, the PSP also had the major limitation that any "remote play" required you to keep your PSP on the same Wi-Fi network as your PS5, so you couldn't really travel with it. You still need Wi-Fi regardless, though, even if you're using the cloud gaming option.
The PSP was originally intended as a standalone device, according to Bloomberg's sources, but something changed along its development pipeline that, at least for the first year, tied it to the PS5. PCMag's review found the PSP to be lacking, though, with a mediocre screen and obvious connectivity limitations.
With this next device, PlayStation fans might finally get the handheld console of their dreams—if Sony actually decides to release it.
Microsoft may be working on a portable Xbox handheld as well. The company has seen a lot of potential in mobile gaming, and is reportedly making prototypes for a handheld device of its own.
PCMag has reached out to Sony for comment.