Hello there, my fellow tech enthusiasts! Today, I have some exciting news to share with you all. Sony’s PlayStation Portal handheld is once again available for purchase at various retailers. While the PlayStation 5 may no longer be as elusive, some of its accessories, like the Portal, have been a bit hard to find since its launch in mid-November.

The PlayStation Portal can now be found at Best Buy and Sony’s PlayStation Direct storefront, ready for you to snag at its retail price of $199.99. This handheld remote player may not be the ultimate Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck competitor, but it still offers a convenient way for gamers to enjoy their favorite titles away from their main TV.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Portal, it features an eight-inch 1080p LCD display nestled between two halves of a DualSense controller. This means you get all the benefits of Sony’s latest gamepad, including adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. The device is designed for streaming games via Remote Play, requiring a PS5 and a stable Wi-Fi connection.

While we appreciate what the Portal brings to the table, there are some technical limitations that can impact your experience. For instance, wireless audio is limited to Sony’s proprietary Link protocol, restricting your headphone options to Pulse Explore earbuds and Pulse Elite headsets. However, there is a 3.5mm audio jack for wired headphones.

Furthermore, network performance can affect gameplay quality, with latency potentially ruining your experience. For smoother gameplay, connecting the console via ethernet is recommended, especially for multiplayer or precision-dependent games. We hope Sony addresses these issues in future updates, but despite these drawbacks, the Portal remains a top choice for Remote Play enthusiasts.