Battle of the Gaming Handhelds: There's Only One Winner

PlayStation Portal is cool, but is it worth the money? [CNET]( Insider [December 07, 2023](#?ftag=CAD-04-10aac3a&utm_email=9ec2e0353644c03ce56099bfb161a49d1f8a5a22f0d884f0cd961b89d205d529&utm_campaign_id=8492013&utm_email_id=7b9d31a7bec6e5f9b80a427c5fb45961c181e3cc6bfbd0061f62ad1841fc2a76&utm_newsletter_id=71558&medium=email&source=iterable) [PlayStation Portal Looks Cool, but It's Very Limited]( As someone who’s been a gamer for many years, I’ve seen trends change from TVs to handhelds and back again. Right now we seem to be squarely in the portable gaming phase. The charge has been led by the success of the [Nintendo Switch]( which has been followed by devices such as the excellent [Steam Deck OLED]( (which I had a brief play with yesterday and enjoyed). While Sony had a string of handhelds through the 2000s, ending with the [PlayStation Vita]( it’s been a long time since the company has offered a portable console. The intriguing [PlayStation Portal]( isn’t a standalone device, but a way to stream your PS5 games at home when not in the same room. The streaming-game concept isn't new and is offered by all the major platforms. I love using [Steam Link]( for instance, and we regularly stream indie games like Use Your Words and Pummel Party from my PC to the living room Apple TV. I also went through a phase of using Xbox Remote Play and [Cloud Gaming]( on the PC, especially if my family was watching something on TV, but now I’ll just do something else. I can imagine the Portal being the same with its buyers: It will initially be exciting, but the novelty will inevitably wear off. While the Portal might be a lot of fun, for the same $200 or so you can buy yourself or your loved ones a Switch instead. -- Ty Pendlebury, editor INSIDER ESSENTIALS display:%20block;%20max-width:%20116px;%20%20max-height:%2015px; display:%20block;%20max-width:%2069px;%20%20max-height:%2015px; [PlayStation Portal Review: A PS5 With Limits]( [PlayStation Portal Review: A PS5 With Limits]( [This in-home streaming buddy for the PlayStation 5 is not as good as it could be.]( [See this]( [Apple iPhone 16: All the Biggest Rumors]( [Apple iPhone 16: All the Biggest Rumors]( [See this]( [Apple Set to Improve Wireless Charging with iOS 17.2 Release]( [Apple Set to Improve Wireless Charging with iOS 17.2 Release]( [See this]( [Google's Pixel Phones Getting New Features]( [Google's Pixel Phones Getting New Features]( [See this]( [Samsung Gaming Hub Review: Almost an Xbox]( [Samsung Gaming Hub Review: Almost an Xbox]( [See this]( [Delete Identical Photos From iCloud Right Now]( [Delete Identical Photos From iCloud Right Now]( [See this]( [Yes, There's an Ideal Thermostat Temperature for Winter]( [Yes, There's an Ideal Thermostat Temperature for Winter]( [See this]( CNET RECOMMENDS [This $250 9th-Gen iPad Is the Perfect Christmas Gift]( Picking up a bonafide iPad for just $250 might just make you the parent of the year. [Affordable Fitness Gifts Under $50 for Workout Warriors]( Who says you can't get good fitness gear for cheap? [Save Big on Home Wares During Luxome's Holiday Sale]( Luxome has everything from pillows to towels for your home and beyond. display:%20block;%20max-width:%20116px;%20%20max-height:%2015px; display:%20block;%20max-width:%2019px;%20%20max-height:%2015px; Trouble viewing this email? [View online](. This newsletter is a service of [CNET.com](. To update your account, please visit our [Newsletter subscription center.]( [Unsubscribe]( | [Terms of Use]( | [Privacy]( © 2023 CNET, A Red Ventures company. All rights reserved. CNET [235 Second Street San Francisco, CA 94105 U.S.A.](#)