The gaming community has been waiting for a new PlayStation handheld for what feels like years, and it seems Sony Interactive Entertainment is not pulling any punches as the company leaps to the next generation. The PlayStation brand has always thrived on the traditional console setup with a player sitting comfortably on the couch with a controller at hand; however, times are changing and Sony must keep up.
9. The Latest Portal Update Is One Step Closer to a True PlayStation Handheld
Most fans were confused about the Portal’s purpose and even mocked the design during the initial announcement. It was originally conceived as an accessory for PlayStation owners to play their PS5 games on the go with a strong internet connection; however, not everyone has a stable internet connection let alone a PlayStation 5 to stream their games.
Sony dropped a new update for the Portal that raised some eyebrows and won over a few skeptics about this device’s purpose and function. Players with a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription can stream games a few select games from the catalog directly on the device without being tethered to a PS5. This new update should have been a day-one feature and Sony could be testing waters to see how the public would react.
8. Sony Can’t Let Nintendo or ROG Get Ahead of the Race
The gaming landscape has changed since Nintendo released the Nintendo Switch in 2017. Players were given a few options to play their games, from the traditional home console setup with the device docked on a TV or large display to propping it up on a desk or playing it in handheld mode. The Nintendo Switch single-handedly carried the company and gave indie game developers an avenue.
Sony and Microsoft were focused on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One respectively and it gave other companies like Asus time to throw their hats in the ring with a new contender to the handheld space with the ROG Ally. The gaming PC handheld allowed players to play console-level games on a revolutionary handheld device. Earlier versions of the Ally may have a few kinks like poor battery life and the company could create more improved variants. It would make sense for Sony to create a dedicated PlayStation handheld
7. Digital Foundry Claim That Prototypes Are Already in the Wind
The gaming community often leans towards the expertise of the fine folks at Digital Foundry and they dropped their two cents regarding the subject of a new PlayStation handheld. Creating triple-A games and a powerful handheld gaming device has one thing in common: they take a while to perfect. Digital Foundry suggests that it could take years before this rumored device could see the light of day but according to one of their sources, prototypes are out there.
While Linneman clarified that he or his colleagues are not at liberty to reveal their sources, their insider knowledge has confirmed that Sony is actively working on a new device. Linneman’s statement corroborates with other claims that a new handheld is in development, and this could rattle a few cages at Sony to tighten their security.
6. PlayStation Enthusiasts Have Been Begging for a PS Vita Successor
It is no secret that the gaming community has been begging for a new PlayStation handheld for years and those requests fell on deaf ears. The failure of the PlayStation Vita pushed the company to shift focus to traditional home consoles and all the devices barely received any support. Despite not landing what the company expected, some people enjoyed playing on the PlayStation Vita.
With the growing popularity of gaming handhelds, Sony could reconsider reviving this device to reach its full potential with better specs, more developer support, and an expansive library of exclusives. The PlayStation Vita was ahead of its time but couldn’t live up to the success of the PSP, releasing a new handheld could be Sony’s chance to rewrite history and redeem the brand.
5. It Is Time for Sony to Fight Fire With Fire Against Microsoft
The world is changing and Microsoft is doing everything it can to be a leader in this regard. Most players cannot find the time to play video games on their couch for hours like in the old days, and the latest Xbox campaign is that anyone can play Xbox games on any smart device which is convenient and appealing. Players can access their library on any Xbox-enabled device wherever they are.
Xbox has always found its strength by changing the landscape of how the community can play games and it wouldn’t be a bad idea for the PlayStation brand to take notes. Being restricted to first-party PlayStation devices and hardware is counterproductive and introducing better options for remote play could level the playing field in their favor.
4. The PlayStation VR2 Could Benefit From a New Handheld
Playing games in virtual reality is more of a niche market nowadays, as proven by the newest VR headset from PlayStation, which is reportedly only getting middling sales. It wasn’t long ago after Sony enabled this expensive headset to work on gaming PCs and this is a clear sign that this device is not faring as well as the company hoped.
Perhaps with a new handheld device to pair it with, Sony could enable both devices to work together and allow players to get the best of both worlds. Players can play triple-A games on their new handheld and use these new VR headsets for a new perspective.
3. Modern Indie Games Could Thrive on This New Device
While the PlayStation Vita was short-lived, a few indie developers benefitted from this avenue. Modern triple-A games cost a fortune to complete and for good reason; however, not every developer has the same amount of resources. Perhaps developing games on a smaller device that isn’t as demanding as a console could remove some barriers for smoother development.
After Sony pulled the plug on the PlayStation Vita, indie game developers flocked to either PC or the Nintendo Switch. Games like LEGO Horizon Adventures can be played on all three platforms and despite the impressive visuals, the game is not all that too demanding. Sony could have kept this game for themselves if they had a dedicated handheld that could compete with the Switch and other gaming PC handhelds.
2. Cloud Gaming Is a Valid Option Nowadays
In recent years, companies have found ways to diminish the obstacles in gaming. Sony was in the ballpark with the PlayStation Portal; however, some fans felt it was a missed opportunity to build a new handheld to play next-gen games natively from the ground up. Other players went to great lengths to adapt their internet settings to stream their PS5 on their Portal and it may not be perfect, but it is a viable option.
Cloud gaming heavily relies on a stable internet connection and if players could find a way to work around this requirement, perhaps the days of gaming in front of a monitor or a large TV are numbered. Smartphones have now reached an impressive benchmark for playing console games natively and have other functions out of the box.
1. A New PlayStation Handheld Could Bring the Gaming Community Together
There is no harm in venturing to keep up with the competition with an original device. The PlayStation brand is celebrating 30 years of greatness and it wouldn’t last this long if Sony executives had no idea how to run the company. The competition may be fierce, fortunately, Sony has the edge with its first-party exclusives. A new handheld device to run newer games from existing franchises could do wonders.
Some players are comfortable with the traditional gaming setup and some prefer to play in handheld mode, Sony could unify the gaming community under one platform with a revolutionary device with cutting-edge specs and a strong library of first-party games that PlayStation is renowned for.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, PlayStation Plus has announced a December release sure to ruin Christmas or check out our list of which games could be featured in this year’s The Game Awards.
Rouvin Josef Quirimit is a Content Writer, an avid gamer (on his PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch), and film enthusiast. He was fortunate to grow up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was enamored by the storytelling of a shared universe full of heart and spectacle. His love for movies led him to great single-player games and he intends to cover major franchises for years to come!
