Despite mixed receptions to its reveal and niche usage, Sony’s PlayStation Portal has done pretty well, selling out in the UK and United States within two days of launch. If you thought demand had slowed over the months, PlayStation vice president of product management Hiromi Wakai confirmed the opposite.
“Although we don’t have any numbers to share, the demand has continued to exceed our expectations,” she revealed to GameFile. Interestingly, the team behind the Portal somewhat anticipated the initial response. “From the beginning, PlayStation Portal was intended to be a product best suited for people with specific needs and those who want to play in a specific way, so the reactions after the announcement were very much within our expectations.”
Development began in 2022 and Wakai notes that initial discussions centred on “how to expand the PS5 console game experience, not launch a separate handheld device.” The original concept was assembled by Edwin Foo, VP of product development, who previously worked at Apple. Other developers included those involved with the PS5, the PlayStation Vita and the PlayStation App.
Sony considered going with a smaller screen at one point but opted for the current eight inches to distinguish it from other mobile devices. Since its launch, there’s been much positive feedback from early adopters with good internet at home (and even some who upgraded their connections to address any lag).
The PlayStation Portal retails for $199.99. Head here for more details on its features.