Next Playstation handheld console. Next Playstation handheld console
New Playstation Handheld Wish List
Rumors are swirling all over the internet about the leaked report of a new Playstation handheld being in development. If released this would be the successor to the Playstation Portable (PSP) and Playstation Vita. While the PSP was relatively well received, the Vita was not. If the new system is actually in development, there are a few features I would like to see. Let’s dive into the wish list for the new Sony Playstation handheld.
Playstation Handheld Wish List
Remote Play
Starting things off on the software side of the new handheld, according to various leaks the new handheld will be exclusively remote play. While this is far from confirmed and many things can change, this has been a controversial feature since the leak hit the internet. If the reports are true, the new handheld will require a constant internet connection to function. Gamers will be able to remotely play games they have on the Playstation 5 but will not be able to run games independently on the new handheld.
While remote play is a great feature, and we have seen advancements in the form of mobile phone controllers such as Backbone, Razer Kishi, Gamestir, and others, having a Playstation handheld for just Playstation remote play seems like a waste of a handheld release. While having the ability to game on the go and pick up right where you left off on the Playstation 5 is an appealing concept, it is going to need some other selling points to make the handheld worth the cost.
Four Full Bumpers/Triggers
As someone who owns both a PSP and Playstation Vita, I was happy to see the second analog stick added to the hardware of the Vita. Although the PSP was a solid handheld, having the second analog stick added to the Vita made it a much smoother play.
Neither the PSP nor Vita had an equivalent to the L2 and R2 buttons. The PSP had the L and R triggers similar to the L1 and R1 on the Sony controllers. The Vita retained the L and R triggers and added a touchscreen backing to the handheld. The back touch screen plate acted as the L2 and R2 triggers, especially when it came to playing Playstation 2 ports. Although it was better than nothing at all, I personally had a lot of issues with it. The hot spots could be hard to find, especially if trying to hit the triggers quickly, such as changing hover zones in Jak 2 or 3.
Adding back triggers similar to what the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite have done would make for a much better gamer experience. Even if a back touchscreen plate is used for other interactive features, designated triggers would make for a much smoother experience.
New Exclusives
One of the enjoyable parts of the PSP generation was spin-off games of well-known Playstation franchises such as Ratchet and Clank, Jak and Daxter, God of War, Syphon Filter, and others.
The Playstation 4 and 5 have a batch of new exclusives such as Horizon Zero Dawn, Marvel’s Spider–Man, remakes and new releases from the Final Fantasy franchise, Astro’s Playroom, and a continuation of the God of War franchise with a brand-new story ark, there is plenty of material to choose from for a Playstation handheld. Having spin off and side stories in big open worlds like Horizon or Spider-Man would generate some excitement for the new handheld.
On the other hand, it would be fun to see some classic Playstation franchises such as Metal Gear Solid, Jak and Daxter, etc. make a portable return on the handheld.
Handheld Library from Playstation Consoles and Old Handhelds
One key selling feature of the Vita was the ability to buy PSP and Playstation games on the Playstation marketplace. In addition, some Playstation 2 classics were ported over to the system both physically and digitally.
If a new handheld is developed, I would love to see an expanded digital library of legacy Sony handheld and console games. The updated Playstation Plus rolling out includes a backlog of games from various Playstation consoles that are available to subscribers at the higher paid levels. Integrating this into the new handheld would be a great selling feature for the handheld and help boost subscriptions to Playstation Plus.
This also goes back to the remote play feature where gamers could save at one point on a Playstation Plus game on the console version and pick up on the mobile version. Bundling all of this together would help Playstation on multiple fronts.
If the handheld is powerful enough to run Playstation 3, 4, and 5 games, there is even more incentive for gamers to pick up a new handheld and subscribe to Playstation Plus.
Playstation Handheld Wish List: In Conclusion
There is plenty of potential for Sony to develop a new Playstation handheld. There is a lot to learn from mistakes made with Vita, and plenty of new avenues to explore for Sony to make a worthwhile successor to the PSP and the Vita.
Stay tuned to Last Word on Gaming for all the latest gaming news and reviews.
Is Sony Likely to Release a New Handheld Console Soon?
We’ve had the PSP. We’ve had the PS Vita. Isn’t it about time Sony stepped up and gave us a new handheld console?
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Handheld games consoles are as popular as ever, with the Nintendo Switch, mobile gaming, and the recent announcement of Valve’s Steam Deck all pushing handheld gaming as a practical yet enjoyable gaming outlet.
So, with all this buzz in the world of handheld gaming, is now the right time for Sony to dip back in with a console of its own? Let’s take a look.
What Should Sony Have Learned From the PSP and PS Vita?
Sony’s two handheld offerings, so far, have come in the form of the Playstation Portable (PSP) and the Playstation Vita (PS Vita). Looking at those two handheld consoles, let’s explore whether each one supports or refutes if an upcoming Sony handheld console is likely.
The PSP
In a 2019 Game Informer article looking at 25 years of Playstation Consoles, former President and CEO of SIE (Sony Interactive Entertainment), Andrew House, claimed that the PSP had some really good success. especially in the Japanese market.
The PSP broke ground as Sony’s first venture into the handheld gaming market. Despite competing with the Nintendo DS, the PSP was both a critical and commercial success, selling over 80 million units since its launch and even outselling some consoles in Japan.
The success in both the design and sales of the PSP supports the idea that another Sony handheld could thrive despite the competition we see in the handheld gaming market today.
The PS Vita
In the same Game Informer Piece, Sony’s current President and CEO, Jim Ryan, said of the PS Vita: Playstation Vita was brilliant in many ways, and the actual gaming experience was great, but clearly it’s a business that we’re no longer in now.”
Whilst being a technical marvel, the PS Vita failed to perform commercially. The PS Vita lacked support from Sony and interest from the public throughout its lifespan, with the rise of mobile gaming and the Nintendo 3DS—and later, Nintendo Switch—overshadowing it.
With Vita’s fate in mind and the comment by Jim Ryan, the idea of Sony releasing a handheld console at all, let alone soon, seems very unlikely.
A 5G PSP? The Rumors Are Rife.
Looking at current times, what information is there regarding an upcoming Sony handheld? From Sony? Nothing so far. But that hasn’t stopped rumors of a new PSP from circulating over the years.
That Sony is working on an upgraded PSP that focuses on 5G technology is the prime rumor, with various outlets speculating how a 5G PSP would look, function, and, most importantly, when Sony might announce it.
People have also been quick to mention that the timeframe fits: Sony released the PSP in 2004/5 and the Vita in 2011/2. So, it could be the right time to see Sony announce a new handheld console. But, if we’re looking at a seven-year pattern between releases, then Sony is a few years late.
There’s always some buzz regarding whether Sony will release a handheld console, but in terms of objective, concrete evidence, there isn’t much to go by.
G or Not, Will We See a New Sony Handheld Anytime Soon?
So, will we see a successor to the PS Vita in the next few years? The answer is likely not. However, could we see a Sony handheld in the future? Absolutely.
Despite the poor performance of the PS Vita, there is a dedicated fan base for the console who’d likely love to see—and buy—a new handheld Playstation, should Sony release one. And, despite Jim Ryan’s comment back in 2019, most successful businesses, such as Sony, never say never.
There’s a good chance that if the opportunity presents itself, Sony will venture back into the handheld console market. The gaming landscape evolves far too much to make any definite decisions.
The PSP was an example that Sony could achieve commercial success with a handheld console, the Vita an example of the tech giant’s future-proof design. There’s no reason Sony couldn’t combine the positives of its previous consoles to create a new product that thrives in the handheld market. However, you probably won’t see it in the next few years. Related: Nintendo Switch OLED and Steam Deck: The Next Stage of Portable Gaming?
If You’re Looking for a Sony Handheld Experience, the PS Vita Is the Way to Go
It’s not looking likely that Sony will release a handheld console soon, but that doesn’t mean it won’t ever release another in the future.
The Nintendo Switch and Valve’s upcoming Steam Deck show that there is a handheld console market to be tapped into. Though, Sony might not be ready just yet to dive back into it, after the lackluster response to the PS Vita.
It could be a while till we see a new Sony handheld console, if at all. In the meantime, the PS Vita is still an excellent device that’s worth your time.
Sony Rumoured To Have New Playstation Handheld in Development
It’s been rumoured that Sony is currently working on a new Playstation Handheld device. However, do take this with a grain of salt as there is no official announcement.
According to a report by Insider Gaming, this new device is called the Q-Lite. It is said that the Q-Lite will differ from previous handhelds such as the PSP and PSVita, as it will FOCUS primarily on Remote Play for Playstation 5 consoles. Which lets you control your Playstation console remotely, provided if you have a high-speed internet connection.
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Q-Lite is rumoured to feature adaptive streaming of up to 1080p resolution and 60FPS. However, it’s said that this new device will constantly require an active internet connection to function. Prototypes of this device will resemble a Playstation 5 controller, but will sport an 8″ LCD touchscreen in the centre.
This device will also come with the iconic PS5 adaptive triggers for haptic feedback; along with various other features such as an audio jack input, and volume buttons.
Insider Gaming mentions that “the Q Lite is in its QA phase and is scheduled to release before the Playstation 5 Pro and after the Detachable Disc Drive PS5“.
Once again, it’s good to take this information as a rumour until proven otherwise, and wait for an official announcement.
Upcoming handheld gaming consoles to look out for in 2023
Do you want to know the hottest upcoming handheld gaming consoles in 2023? We’ve scoured the internet to collate the list of upcoming portable gaming consoles to watch out for.
The success of Nintendo Switch has reignited the romance with gaming on the go. Not only did this handheld gaming console sell in good numbers, but it was such a great product that even after almost six years, the company did not feel the urge to upgrade it.
This inspired a bunch of startups and other tech companies to jump aboard. As a result, a wave of portable consoles from Valve, Ayaneo, GPD, OneXPlayer, and more swooped in and got us extremely powerful portable gaming PCs.
The success of Valve’s Steam Deck and the introduction of ROG Ally are just a couple of examples of this small yet thriving community of gamers that prefer portability yet aren’t ok with compromising on power and features.
Its rippling effect was seen recently when Sony confirmed that it is also working on a gaming console-like device. It prompted us to put this piece together, listing all the upcoming handheld gaming devices you should look out for in 2023.
Upcoming Ayaneo handheld consoles
Ayaneo is among the first few companies to release a portable gaming console to the market. It followed the release of the highly successful Nintendo Switch. The company has been able to carve out a niche for its Windows-powered consoles.
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The company has been known for introducing many devices with iterative hardware updates and fancy designs in a short period of time, often launched via IndieGoGo.
Ayaneo Kun
Portable console maker Ayaneo has revealed yet another portable gaming PC, the Ayaneo Kun. What makes it exciting, though, is the company’s claim that the Ayaneo Kun will be the “Most powerful Windows handheld console yet.”
The teaser shared by the company reveals that the Kun will have an immersive bezel-less 8.4-inch screen. What makes this console more interesting is its dual touchpads and a Windows Hello camera for added security. Combined, these features are a first for portable Windows gaming consoles.
The company has not yet revealed the key specs, however, it’s being hinted that Kun will have an improved heat dissipation system and a significantly larger battery life.
We’re yet to get clarity on Ayaneo Kun’s launch date.
Ayaneo Next II
The Ayaneo Next 2 is one of the company’s many upcoming handheld Windows gaming consoles and is one of the few to sport an 8-inch LCD display. The company shared a teaser for the Next 2 sometime back, which hinted at the presence of Steam Deck-like trackpads that make it easy for users to play games that require touch input.
This console is also confirmed to come with an AMD Ryzen 7000 series processor and will have discrete Radeon 780M graphics. While the exact details about the configurations of the Next 2 are unclear, it will offer Steam Deck users a Windows alternative.
Ayaneo Slide
The company revealed the first looks of the Ayaneo Slide in March this year. This upcoming console reminds you of good ol’ Nokia phones and gaming gadgets from the 90s that came with a slidable display exposing a physical keyboard.
With this retro design, Ayaneo is looking to combine the comfort of a physical keyboard with modern gaming hardware on a portable device, as typing in such a cramped space can be a headache for people with fat fingers. over, the Slide can also double up as a laptop if required. You can also respond to emails or type long messages without getting frustrated.
The Ayaneo Slide will also feature an AMD 7000 series processor, and the angle of the sliding screen will be adjustable according to your preference.
Ayaneo Flip
Another Windows gaming console with a retro-inspired design, the Flip will remind you of a Nintendo DS or a GameBoy Advance SP gaming console from yesteryear.
As per the teasers released by the company, the Flip will sport a clamshell design with a screen that can be swivelled up, revealing a full-size keyboard. The clamshell design also ensures that the screen remains protected when closed. The hinge is expected to hold the display in a preferred position, mimicking a small portable gaming computer.
Ayaneo Air
Ayaneo also revealed the technical specification of its first Android-powered gaming console. The Air will run on Android 12 and will be powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 1200 SoC. It will have a 5.5-inch AMOLED display which could be relatively small for a handheld gaming console.
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The company has confirmed that the Air will have a 7350 mAh battery along with other key features like a fingerprint module for biometrics, hall-sensing sticks and triggers, a gyroscope, a dual-mic vibration motor, and an AyaHome launcher.
The post also reveals that the Ayaneo Air might be sold via the Indiegogo crowdsourcing platform and will be up for pre-orders in July, with shipments expected to start in August.
Sony Project Q
The Sony Project Q is the most anticipated portable gaming console, although it may not qualify as one. With Project Q, Sony is repeating what it has done with the PS VR, introducing a new line of devices requiring a Playstation 5 to work.
According to Sony, Project Q is a “dedicated device that enables you to stream any game through your PS5 console using remote play.”
So essentially, the Sony Project Q will be a low-powered handheld gaming console with an eight-inch HD screen and the same controller design as the Playstation 5’s Dualsense controller.
While it might not be called Project Q when it starts retailing, it will help users play games from the PS 5 using a remote play on Wi-Fi.
Steam Deck 2 / Steam Deck Pro
While Valve has not openly confirmed the launch date of a Steam Deck’s successor, an interview with some folks behind the Deck mentioned that the Steam Deck 2 might not be launching anytime soon.
Valve has, however, confirmed that a “multi-generational product line” is in the works. It will be “supported well into the foreseeable future” and the company promised to “build new versions to be even more open and capable than the first version of Steam Deck has been.” This more or less confirms Steam Deck 2’s existence.
That said, this upcoming handheld gaming console could carry a different moniker, and Steam Deck Pro cannot be ruled out either.
Whatever it may be called, we hope this new console from Valve is priced aggressively, similar to the first-gen Steam Deck.
Nintendo Switch 2 / Switch Pro
The Nintendo Switch started it all in 2017, and while we’ve had a couple of variants – Switch Lite and Switch OLED released in 2019 and 2021, respectively, we are still waiting for a successor to the original Switch.
Various rumors have repeatedly hinted that the company is indeed working on a powerful Switch Pro with a Tegra 9 SoC and will support advanced features such as DLSS 2.2 and ray tracing.
That said, while an upgrade is long due, there needs to be concrete information about the launch or specifications. The most we have currently is that Nintendo does not plan to release a new handheld before Spring 2024.
Miyoo Mini Flip
The community that loves retro gaming consoles is excited about the upcoming release of Miyoo Mini Flip. As the name suggests, the Mini Flip will ship with a flip-out clamshell design. The display on this console is expected to be a 3.5-inch LCD panel. Miyoo makes some of the most popular gaming handhelds in this segment, like the Miyoo Mini Plus.
While not much is known about the specifications or the launch date of Miyoo Mini Flip, as it is expected to run 8-bit/64-bit games, we can anticipate an affordable price tag and slightly more powerful hardware specs than its predecessors.
Orange Pi handheld
Orange Pi, known for its open-source microcomputer boards, is rumored to be working on a powerful handheld gaming console. It has a Rockchip RK3588S processor for Android/Linux gaming or AMD Ryzen 7 7800U/6800U for Windows gaming.
It might sport a 7-inch LCD panel, stereo speakers, a couple of microphones, three USB C ports, and two customizable buttons at the back. The top-end Windows variant might come with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of onboard storage.
The handheld is expected to launch in China at an approximate starting price of 217, up to 506 for the flagship variant. There needs to be clarity on its availability in China as well as international markets.
