Sony is reportedly working on a brand-new handheld console that could shake up the portable gaming scene. According to Bloomberg, the device is designed to go head-to-head with the likes of Nintendo and Microsoft in the ever-growing world of on-the-go gaming.
Nintendo has been dominating the handheld market for years, with the Switch being a massive success. And with a next-gen Switch successor rumoured to be on the horizon, the competition is heating up. Even Microsoft is getting in on the action, with Phil Spencer, the head of Microsoft Gaming, hinting at a handheld Xbox prototype in the works.
But Sony isn’t about to be left in the dust. They’re reportedly developing a handheld console that can play PlayStation 5 games natively, meaning you won’t need a Wi-Fi connection to enjoy your favourite titles on the go.
This isn’t Sony’s first foray into portable gaming. Sony has a history of handheld gaming, with devices like the PS Vita and PlayStation Portable. But those consoles have long been discontinued, leaving a gap in Sony’s gaming lineup. Sony’s PlayStation Portal, their latest attempt at handheld gaming, is an 8-inch device that lets you stream PS5 games from the cloud. But , according to Bloomberg, it was initially intended to be a standalone handheld console. It seems Sony is now revisiting that idea, potentially expanding its audience and making its games more accessible to those who prefer gaming on the move.
The handheld gaming scene has been booming in recent years, thanks to new players like Valve’s Steam Deck and the ROG Ally from Asus. These devices offer PC gaming on the go, and it seems Sony wants a piece of the action.
Sony hasn’t officially confirmed the project, so for now, we’ll have to wait and see what Sony has up its sleeve.
