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Kyuu on 03 February 2025
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PotentHerbs said:
Kyuu said:

Calling it now: Playstation 6 will launch in 2 forms: A moderately-powerful standard PS6, and a much weaker handheld version.

I had little doubt that Sony will launch a handheld SKU in the not distant future. When the SteamDeck launched, I surmised that it could be in the form of a mid-gen PS5 SKU. But with the terrible pricing trajectory of this generation and the rumors about a Sony handheld being early in development, it's safe to say that it's not coming this generation. The current generation showed that chasing high specs may not be worth it anymore,

Microsoft will beat Sony to the punch with an optional Xbox (or Xbox-branded PC) handheld, because it can potentially run Series S apps (or PC apps) natively without any extra work form developers. But I think it'll be too expensive and production limited.

I really hope the Portal successor follows the Pro console when it comes to different models.

For the initial launch we get a Portal at a friendly price for the mass audience. Perhaps $299 with the ability to stream PS5/PS6 games via the cloud and its able to play PS+ back catalog natively. It launches a year or two after the PS6. Then we get the "Portal Pro" launching alongside the PS6 Pro, and it can play PS6 games natively, meant for the enthusiast/hardcore audience. 

I think Sony has already beat Microsoft to the punch when it comes to handheld devices lol. The Portal should be over 1M+ units sold in NA based on Mat's latest update. Its attach rate has grown YoY and the device itself is gradually becoming more robust with updates. I feel that if Sony plays their cards right, they can recapture some of that handheld market they lost.

The Portal isn't much more than just a screen glued to a controller. It's not a proper handheld and not intended as one (cloud gaming isn't enough). I'd keep it simple and name it "PS6 Portable" or "Playstation Portable". Some old games get rebooted, so the PSP might too.

Now that I think of it, the handheld may end up being a PS5 Portable, with an even longer crossgen period than last time, and be replaced by PS6 Portable a generation later. I think handhelds are inevitable, but they're also destined to be replaced by mobile phones. At some point in time AAA gaming is going to merge with mobile gaming, and consoles will downgrade to enthusiast devices.

I don't know if handhelds (Switch included) will ever be the primary platform for AA/AAA gaming, but they will take a large piece of the pie before mobile phones take over.