Sony has officially announced that its highly-anticipated PlayStation Portal streaming handheld is set to hit the market on November 15, and preorders are already open.
This exciting news was revealed on the PlayStation Blog, where Sony unveiled the release date for the PlayStation Portal in "select markets" on the mentioned November date. Presumably, these markets include the same countries where the device is currently available for preorder. As of now, interested customers can place preorders in the following regions: the United States, UK, France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Portugal.
The PlayStation Portal remote player launches starting November 15 🛜
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) August 31, 2023
Pre-order details: https://t.co/meD5OKkvlH pic.twitter.com/uBsvsj94tM
While the PlayStation Portal is currently exclusively available for preorder through the official PlayStation channels, Sony has also shared that "other select retailers" in these countries will begin offering preorders starting September 29. Furthermore, customers in Canada and Japan can anticipate availability through select retailers on this same date. Sony has plans to disclose additional information regarding retailer availability at a later time.
It's important to note that the PlayStation Portal is designed to work seamlessly with a PlayStation 5 (PS5) console. Unlike gaming devices such as the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation Vita, the PlayStation Portal doesn't run games locally. Instead, it streams the entire PS5 system to the handheld, providing users with the ability to play games and run various applications as if they were on the PS5 itself. This innovative gaming accessory will be available for purchase at a retail price of $199.99 in the United States or £199.99 in the UK.
In a preview of the PlayStation Portal, IGN noted that while it may not become someone's primary means of playing PS5 games (that's what your TV is for), it offers a compelling use case. For instance, it can serve as an excellent alternative when someone else is using the TV, or if you have young children at home and prefer not to display intense titles like God of War on the big screen. Additionally, it can be a convenient solution for playing in a different room without requiring an additional television.
The PlayStation Portal represents a significant step in Sony's commitment to expanding the gaming experience beyond traditional consoles and TVs, providing gamers with greater flexibility and versatility in their gaming setups. With the release date set for November 15, fans won't have to wait much longer to get their hands on this exciting new gaming device.