PlayStation on the Move – PlayStation Handheld Details Leak (Rumor)

Being in the industry for many generations, PlayStation and handheld gaming is a curious combination. Starting with the PlayStation 1’s Pocket Station and eventually making the PSP line in 2004, they offered Nintendo competition.

Offering power and console-quality gaming in comparison to the SNES-era-styled games of the Game Boy Advance, Sony impressed. They continued challenging Nintendo with the PS Vita but sadly, that platform didn’t meet their expectations.

But it seems PlayStation is keen on entering this space once more.

PlayStation Returning to Handhelds

Reported by PlayStation Lifestyle, they have stated the following;

Logvinov claims that the “PSP” like handheld will support PS4 games at launch. He also likened the device to Steam Deck, which somewhat aligns with what MLID said back in February.

MLID claimed that the handheld will feature a custom AMD Accelerated Processing Unit, and will be backwards compatible with digital PS4 games as well as PS5 games with a “Pro-like patch applied.” He further suggested that the device will be part of PlayStation’s next-gen hardware family, possibly launching with or after the PS6.

The source of this rumor comes from trusted places;

The latest report comes from Russian journalist Anton Logvinov (via ResetEra), who first leaked Death Stranding and Horizon Zero Dawn PC ports prior to their announcements. There’s some skepticism about Logvinov’s reporting, so take this rumor with a grain of salt. However, known leaker MooresLawIsDead (MLID) — who first leaked PS5 Pro specs — is also convinced that a PS Vita-esque system is coming.

Potential of a Portable PlayStation 4

The baseline for handheld gaming in Japan currently, is the Nintendo Switch. And the power level for that platform falls below a PlayStation 4. And considering the rumors surrounding the Switch 2’s power level, this portable PlayStation likely will align closer to those specifications.

A major reason why publishers like Square Enix are looking to expand to new platforms is because the most successful platforms in the Japanese market are PC and Handheld gaming. PC handhelds like the Steam Deck or the ROG Ally are made for western markets but Japan currently lacks an affordable option.

If this device can truly play titles from the PlayStation 4 generation and potentially upward, they could boost sales in Japan once more.

Companion Device, Not Stand Alone

While this reporting implies the console can play games across the PS4 library, this likely won’t a new platform. Unlike the Vita or PSP, which had original installments in many PlayStation franchises, this potentially won’t happen here.

With many indie titles targeting platforms like Steam Deck and PC, I could see various indies on the PS5 get the ‘patch’ to run on this handheld. And the possibility of PS5 titles like Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart or Astro Bot Playroom is possible.

In addition, PlayStation Plus cloud streaming could be built into this device. Considering the PlayStation Portal is a breakout hit for the company, technology from that cloud-focused device implemented here is likely.

Overall Thoughts

I love this idea. As a proud PlayStation Vita owner who put many hours into the handheld, I am very excited by this news. The ability to play my hundreds of PlayStation 4 games on the go, alongside the likelihood of various PlayStation 1, 2, and PSP classics, sounds amazing.

In addition, this could be the ‘X’ factor the company needs for Japan. That region thrives off handheld gaming and Sony willingly gave that crown to Nintendo. Not offering competition, can lead to complacency.

For example, it took the Switch years after launch to ‘unlock’ Bluetooth support and no achievement system in sight is a misstep for sure. Sony had both those features from the Vita’s launch, alongside a better online network. And the platform even included backward compatibility for hundreds of PS1 and PSP games.

One concern is how many PlayStation 5 games could run on this platform. Indie games and smaller titles I don’t foresee being a problem but the bigger games? One core reason Square is moving toward multiplatform is to get those bigger AAA games on platforms their home market would buy. Ideally, I hope PlayStation accounts for their more ambitious third-party partners in that regard.

But are you all excited about this rumored handheld? Let us know in the comments below!