PlayStation Portal: Should you buy in 2024?

Blog by Gemma @ Juicy Game Reviews / TheGebs24

The PlayStation Portal in 2024

Avoid the scalpers if you want a PlayStation Portal! What an odd comment to start a blog with right? Wrong. If you want to buy a PlayStation Portal in 2024, I suggest you ignore all stock warnings online. Simply go to Argos (the website will tell you its out of stock) and check your local stock. If the PS Portal is not in the store, ask for a home delivery. We did this and mine arrived within two days. Someone on my YouTube Review of the PS Portal took this advice and managed to buy one. 

"It's not a standalone device so I'll pass"
I hear you. I believed the same too, until I saw a flurry of skeptical reviewers quickly change their minds. I find this mindset astonishing if you have not played on one. I am happy to say that my prejudice was wrong because I love my PS Portal. Sure it has flaws but doesn't everything?

I've found the worst part about the PS Portal being a remote player is the drop in connectivity. Albeit, this is infrequent, it can be annoying when the crisp visuals drops to 480p at best and frames start to stutter. This happened when I first tried any new game or during the first ten minutes of booting up a game. I was on the same WiFi network as my PlayStation 5 in case you are wondering. How did I fox this? I waited. Patience is a virtue in the early moments of playing the PlayStation Portal and once you are through the teething problems you will love your Portal as much as I love mine.  There's something oddly satisfying about laying in bed playing your PS5 in the palm of your hand. The gorgeous eight inch screen glaring back at you. The pin point haptic feedback. Everything the PS Portal served up, felt and sounded really good. 

Digital PlayStation 5 owners have an advantage when using the PlayStation Portal. There is no need to run and swap game discs if you want to boot up a new one on the Portal. Simply head back to your desktop and boot up a new game. Physical game owners will need to swap the disc to play a new game on the Portal. Is this a tactical move from Sony? I would argue yes. PlayStation will surely want subscribers to their digital PlayStation Plus packages right? Afterall, this is Sony's answer to Gamepass (and a weak one at that). 

Whilst it is entirely possible to enjoy the PlayStation Portal with a physical PS5; overall digital games are more readily accessible. I will now be making more effort to download my PS Plus monthly free titles!

Bluetooth
Let's cut to the chase. There is no bluetooth in the PS portal. This means you cannot link any other bluetooth wireless headset to it. That sucks and I hope PlayStation change this in the future. Afterall, they boast For The Players right? Not unless you want to spend a further £200 for the Pulse Earbuds or Pulse Wireless Headset. Those two will connect to the PlayStation Portal by pressing the Link Button on top of the device. 

There is a 3.5mm headphone jack as another headphone option. I personally do not use it. I'm happy with the sound the Portal pumps out. In my video review, you can hear a demo of this.

The Market
I've seen comments from people who say the Portal is perfect for them. They live in busy households and can't always command control of the TV. In swoops the PS Portal. Gamers can enjoy the Portal without needing the TV. I get that. Perhaps you're not one of those people though? I'm not. I love how I can lay in bed and play my PlayStation 5 in my hand. It's hard to explain the lure byt trust me when I say that I am in love with mine. 

If you decide to get one then remember my tip in the first paragraph. Don't get reeled in by scalpers and ENJOY!

​Blog by Gemma @ Juicy Game Reviews / TheGebs24