Sony Reportedly Developing New Handheld for PS5 Games
According to a Bloomberg report, Sony is currently developing a new handheld console that can play PlayStation 5 games. Those familiar with the project have indicated that the system is apparently in its early phases and would be years away from launch if Sony chooses to fully develop it.
Bloomberg’s sources also indicated that the PlayStation Portal, a handheld system launched in 2023 that allowed players to stream their PS5 games, was initially devised as a standalone device, and this new project would follow through on that vision. Sony previously created several handhelds, including the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita. While the PlayStation Portable sold an impressive 80 million units, the Vita only managed to move an estimated 10-15 million, which ostensibly ended the company’s involvement in handhelds at the time. The report on Sony’s handheld comes shortly after Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said in an interview that Microsoft is currently developing a portable version of the Xbox that’s still several years from release.
Both Microsoft and Sony’s potential handhelds are chasing the success of the Nintendo Switch, which has sold over 146 million units since its release in 2017, putting it in the running to become the highest-selling console ever if it can pass the PlayStation 2’s 155 million units. The Switch’s success coincided with the novel premise of allowing users to play games on their TVs or on the go, alongside a strong library of first-party games from Nintendo, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Nintendo has been gearing up for the release of their handheld’s successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, for some time. While they have not officially shown it yet, they have confirmed that the system will be backward compatible with original Switch games and once again utilize Nintendo Switch Online. Nintendo also previously announced that the console would be available this fiscal year, which ends on March 31st, 2025. Rumors indicate it was initially planned for this holiday season before being pushed to next year.
As for Sony’s potential new handheld, one curious detail is that despite being intended to play PS5 games, it would likely come out near the end of the PS5’s life cycle if the system is currently multiple years away as the report indicates. The PS5 launched roughly four years ago, and most consoles last roughly six to seven years these days before the next iteration is released. Whether PlayStation and Microsoft’s handheld systems ever materialize, it seems the Switch’s massive success has forced both companies to consider their options.