Available for pickup at lots of locations in Melbourne. Still not an ideal price to get one for myself personally, but this seems to be the lowest price as seen in the past.
PlayStation Portal Remote Player for PS5 Console $299 Pickup or in-Store Only @ The Good Guys
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Lkanpai on 21/08/2024 - 20:15 thegoodguys.com.au (2187 clicks)
Last edited 22/08/2024 - 10:46 by 2 other users
Last edited 22/08/2024 - 10:46 by 2 other users
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Wifi sucks when you’re on holidays anyway, so this product wasn’t made for that unfortunately. If it was a standalone offline machine, I’d be more inclined to depart from some hard earned currency and acquire it.
So it's steam link/ moonlight except you have to pay $300 for a device to use it? Silly
No one is forcing anyone to use the Playstation Portal for remote play, there are clients for iOS/Android/Mac/PC and more if you include unofficial clients, this just happens to be another option for people that want a dedicated PS remote play device.
I have a lot of friends that are Playstation gamers, and everyone I know that owns a Portal absolutely love it. I own an abxylute streaming handheld which I purchased before the Portal came out, but if I was in the market for a similar device today, I'd definitely be getting the Portal instead. Sure, you can use remote play on your phone, but it's a crappy experience compared to the Portal, which has a DualSense controller, decent stereo speakers and a large 8 inch screen.
As for the price, say what you want, but there isn't a comparable product on the market available at a cheaper price. The cheapest I'm aware of would be the abxylute handheld, which has a smaller 7 inch screen, inferior audio & smaller (Switch size) controls, yet still costs more than the PS Portal once you factor in shipping. Not to mention the Portal being an official Playstation accessory which also doubles as a second controller, which adds value to the purchase.
Most Playstation gamers don't need PC or Xbox streaming support, and all other devices of its kind top out at 7 inches, don't offer controls on par with the DualSense, and happen to cost more than the Playstation Portal does.
This 100%
Besides, I've tried PC streaming support with the Sony app (and Android, and using 3rd party alternative apps) & it sucks pretty badly compared to using the portal.
Great device for anyone wanting to game from the couch while their significant other/kids are using the main screen in the housethis just happens to be another option for people that want a dedicated PS remote play device.
I just don't know if these people actually exist. Why would you want a dedicated PS Remote Play device when you've probably got 3 other devices that you use every day that can already do it?
The Playstation Portal is the #1 selling gaming accessory in terms of dollar-value of 2024 (https://x.com/MatPiscatella/status/1826247510484308425) and was sold out for months at launch as Sony couldn't produce them fast enough to meet demand. It's only been in the last couple of months where they've really been readily available to buy. So clearly, those people do exist and there is a huge market for it.
I know a lot of people that have Playstation 5's since we have something along the lines of a Playstation club at work (it's a large company, so there's a good number of us). Many of them DO own Portals because once you have a girlfriend, wife, or kids, you're not the one using the TV at home, you're just not. Many families still share a single TV, and the way the cookie crumbles, the boyfriend/husband always gets last priority on the TV because when your wife doesn't want to use it, she wants the kids to use it as that keeps them out of trouble. And on the day where all the planets align and the TV is free, you usually end up having to looking after the kids or spend time with your girlfriend/wife anyway. Having a simple all-in-one device you can turn on and use anywhere in the house solves that problem. Having to fiddle with phones, laptops and separate controllers adds enough friction where it ceases to be an option for many people. The form-factor and pick up and play nature of the Portal is what solves the problem for most people.
From my perspective, I don't understand why you wouldn't want a dedicated PS Remote Play device when you're using it multiple hours every week. The most common alternative suggested online is a backbone controller, but I mean, really?! By the time you're viewing the screen cropped to 16:9 on your phone, you're talking about maybe a 5.5 inch screen, crappy audio without front-firing speakers, and a controller that is vastly inferior to the DualSense. And you get this crappy experience for $179, more than half the price of the Portal, and still need to bring your own phone and deplete its battery within a couple of hours of playing. Yeah, no thanks, anyone who thinks about it logically will realise this isn't even an option.
From what I've seen, the Portal has been a godsend for many 30+ year old Playstation gamers who haven't been able to game at home due to family circumstances. I know several people that have gone from 0 hours of gaming per week to actually being able to game again, thanks to the Portal. There's also a lot of people that simply want to be able to sit down anywhere in the house and game away from the TV, and again, having a dedicated pick up and play device makes that a lot simpler.
As a more personal example, I don't own a Portal, but was bedridden for the last two years due to medical issues, and therefore wasn't able to play on my Playstation at all for over a year as being restricted to your bed does that to you. It wasn't until I got the abxylute handheld that I was finally able to catch up on some gaming after not being able to for over a year. I can't even begin to tell you how badly I wish the Portal was available to me during that first year. But seeing as you only seem to care about your own circumstances, I wouldn't expect you to understand why some people need it.
The most common alternative suggested online is a backbone controller, but I mean, really?! By the time you're viewing the screen cropped to 16:9 on your phone, you're talking about maybe a 5.5 inch screen, crappy audio without front-firing speakers, and a controller that is vastly inferior to the DualSense.
You can literally use a DualSense controller + $15 controller clip with your nice big 6+" OLED phone, with wired headphones if you want. You can use an OLED iPad/Galaxy Tab if you wanted to as well.
Having to fiddle with phones
Come on now lol. Clip in phone, clip in controller, done.
But seeing as you only seem to care about your own circumstances, I wouldn't expect you to understand why some people need it.
But again - the portal is nothing unique. You have been able to do the exact same thing for 10+ years already at this point. You didn't need the portal to do this.
@MrFunSocks: I don't have a 'nice big 6+" OLED phone' and it makes no sense to spend $2000+ on an iPhone Pro Max just so I can use remote play on a big phone screen. It's ridiculous how you could even think that's a better option than spending $300 for a dedicated device that would still have a larger 8 inch screen and better speakers. Also, a large phone isn't light, putting it in a clip would be top heavy, making it uncomfortable and might even fall out in scenarios like playing in bed, it's impractical, and then you still have to put up with those crappy phone speakers.
Also, let's not kid ourselves, 6 inches is not 'big', that's basically unusable for remote play. I've used 7 inch gaming devices like the Abxylute for remote play, and it works, but it's not a good experience. It's just slightly too small to offer a comfortable experience where you don't have to squint to read text and play games that are designed with much larger screens in mind. Since I wrote my comment, I actually purchased a Portal, and I've been using it almost exclusively to play my PS5 these days, around 90% of my play time is on the Portal now, it's well worth the $300, and I feel 8 inches is definitely the point where remote play goes from 'acceptable when you're not in front of a TV' to actually being a great experience where you don't need a TV. That extra inch makes a massive difference to the experience, and in that sense, I do think the Portal is unique, because no other streaming device on the market offers that, especially at such a low price point.
I never said you couldn't use remote play for the last 10 years, all I said was that this offers a better experience than other similar all-in-one devices on the market. And the fact is, console players like convenience, and for a lot of people, the Portal is the first option that is convenient to the point where it makes sense to use remote play. Even if it offered an 8 inch screen, setting it up on a phone and controller every time I want to use remote play is enough of a pain where I wouldn't do it unless I absolutely had to. With a device I can simply turn on and play, it makes a lot more sense as something I would use every day.
This is mainly aimed towards dads such as myself who need the flexibility to let the kids use the TV and/or to keep wife company in bed at night.
I also thought it was a bit niche at first, especially as I had remote play on ipad already, but this is a hundred times more comfortable and I actually use this more than the main TV set up now.If you got the cash to spare it’s a really convenient way to play. Not the best value accessory though.
I need PSVR2 PC adapter deal Sony.
I use
chiaki4deckon my SD btw.
This will be an expensive way to experience stick drift?
My last controller got it after a few months, but at least it didn't cost $300…
Maybe just wash your hands after eating cheetos.
I have a launch console and no drift. Not even my launch switch has the so called problem.
Stick drift has nothing to do with "washing your hands after eating cheetos" lol. Do you even know what stick drift is? I'm guessing not. Guaranteed most of your controllers that you think don't have it actually do. How much you notice it depends on the games you're playing.
My original PS4 controller took 5 years to get the issue, the replacement took 2 months, 0% cheeto dust involved. I didn’t neg you, but If it’s a so called problem, why would Sony make the Duelsense Edge with replaceable stick modules?
You’re just very lucky ;)I don't really care about negs etc People are free to be small minded for all I care.
I doubt it's luck. I still have all PS2, PS3, PS4 , Nintendo, Xbox. Zero hardware issues. Always wiped down and taken care of. DualShock 3 is still my favourite PC controller so that gets a good run on the original battery and zero issues.
I doubt they chose the Edge specifically to have replaceable sticks due to the issue and not because it's a Pro controller. That's like saying all Mechanical keyboards will have problems because you can replace switches.
the lowest price was $296(with JB perks 10% off) last month.
This is an amazing device. I thought I would just try it and return via Amazon but I found you can play pretty much any turn based RPG on a 5G connection. I do have a decent router at home as well(RAXE300) so I guess that plays a part. I pretty much finished unicorn overlord with my portal tethered to my phone in the CBD.
At home I can play beside my wife or let her use the TV while gaming.
Definitely not for everyone though.
I own one and it's a great device for people who work away from home a lot or have kids who take over your TVs (I don't do/have either but I bought it because I traded in a bunch of stuff at EB).
I'm currently in Europe on holidays and have used it 3-4 times without any issues (1 dropout)
Unfortunately, it's not a standalone device. Just needs decent WiFi (at least 25mbps) and the PS5 needs to be on Rest mode at home.
I'm currently in Europe on holidays and have used it 3-4 times without any issues (1 dropout)
I thought it only works on LAN?
No. Both your PS5 and the Portal have to be on a LAN, but they don't need to be the same LAN. The PS5 streams to the portal over the internet.
You've lost me… :/
@bemybubble: Both (The Portal and the PS5) just need internet connection, it doesn't have to be the same Wifi connection.
You can have your PS5 in Australia (on rest mode) and playing with your Portal in Europe, US, etc.
@kazuyamishima: Interesting! So if I have my PS5 on rest mode connected to my home WIFI I can tether my portal through my mobile and play?
@kazuyamishima: See that's clearly advantageous to using say a backbone and the PS Remote app as that doesn't allow that
@bemybubble: I can do that with my backbone though…
Admittedly I am using the 3rd party PSPlay app which is more useful than the official app
@bemybubble: You definitely can it's just called MirrorPlay (same developer as PSPlay): https://apps.apple.com/my/app/mirrorplay-remote-streaming/id…
@bemybubble: I always test out the free versions first, and if you're happy with it then pay for pro. Personally, I did end up paying for PSPlay on Android.
@bemybubble: Yes you can. There's an official PS Remote Play app on iOS that does exactly the same thing that the PS Portal does. The Portal doesn't even have a direct connection to the PS when you're in the same room for some bizarre reason, still goes over your wifi.
@MrFunSocks: Maybe i'm an idiot…
Like i'm at work at the moment with my phone connected to work Wifi. My PS5 is connected to my home wifi and to the internet - I can't remote connect to it. Are you saying I should be able to?
Edit: to be clear it's in rest mode already…
@bemybubble: Yes, you should be able to since that's the entire purpose of remote play. You likely have to enable remote play on your PS5 first.
This device is amazing for those that like handheld type of gaming. Biggest screen in the biz and proper controller ergonomic.
And you get the full fat ps5 games due to it being a controller with a screen essentially.
Only shortcoming is it’s a single user device, you need to sign out, sign in to change - totally idiotic.
Legion Go is 8.8" so it's definitely not the biggest screen at 8".
I wouldn't call it full fat, more like skim PS5 games with the 60hz/1080p IPS cap.Didn’t know about the 8.8”
Regardless, the size here is ideal - everything perfectly legible and all text readable. Phones have always been too small.
1080p at this scale has amazing pixel density and everything is pin sharp.
Does this work on the Xbox switch as well? Might get one for my grand daughter for her graduation next year.
No, PlayStation, Xbox and Switch are different products and no peripheral is shared between them.
Thank you very much. I can’t keep up with all the games kids like these days. It was much simpler when I was young.
How long ago was that? Back in my days nintendos and sega etc do not share accessories either. It’s been the same since
EDIT: ok you have grand daughter, that kinda explains it haha
Gone are the days of the Commodore 64 where you could plug almost anything I to it
Any of the regular controller attachments for a phone does the exact same job as this, like a Razer Kishi etc.
Just a question to those mentioning sharing the TV with kids etc.
Did you consider getting a ROG Ally or Steam Deck on sale? ($550-750)
If you want to stream to those handhelds from the PS5 you absolutely can (works with Linux/SteamOS): https://streamingdv.com/shop-list-ns.html.
So I'm just wondering what the draw of the Portal is - the only niche I see is you don't want to spend more than $300 and/or already own a gaming PC so a handheld gaming PC isn't value added.
The Ally worth buying (the Z1 Extreme) is at least $900 on sale. So about the price of a PS5 + Portal. In saying that, I absolutely LOVE my Ally.
It hit $740 on Amazon recently and I considered getting one but decided to wait for the Ally X to hit lower prices since they doubled the battery on that.
I cant speak for everyone but for me, I dont have any pc games, already have a decent ps5 catalogue, dont want to pay any more than $300ish, just want a reliable simple solution, and dont really have a lot of spare time, just want to pick up and play in some pockets of free time - so no need to have such extensive and expensive gear.
Fair call, most of my game library is on Steam so it's my PS5 that's sitting around gathering dust. I wish Sony released more first party exclusives this gen, but they've been porting everything to PC (still a win I suppose).
You don't even need to do that - you can just use your phone or tablet to stream from your PS5.
Yeah I know, but I'm talking something comparable in form factor, ergonomics etc.
I barely use my ps5 now lol this will be another door stop.
Have this and almost never use it… might end up selling it…
You in Melbourne? Message me if you are, I might buy it.
NSW
The people who released the hack / fix to mod this thing into being able to emulate were too kind about it. Sony patched the hole and now the device is still relegated to being pretty basic.
Not for this money, nope - it's half the cost of a cheap steam deck
Bought mine second hand for $200, wouldn’t pay more than that for it especially after noticing how sensitive the whole network thing is I mean if you’re going to make a device that specialises in streaming only then at least make its networking hardware and software robust Sony.
This not connecting directly to the console over something like wifi direct is one of the dumbest decisions ever in terms of peripherals. Even when you're sitting 1m from your PS5 this thing could be lagging like crazy and losing connection since it's going to your PS5 via your wifi network.
I have one. I use it a lot. Kids hog the TV to watch Minions 4 or whatever new movie is out, and I can sit on the couch playing Elden Ring.
That is exactly what I am thinking, but at this price it is not justifiable. I will wait for <$199
The bigger screen would be nice; however using a backbone controller with my 2019 vintage Galaxy S10e one ups this by having Wifi 6 connectivity.
Agree with others that for $300 the value proposition you could buy something like an Anbernic RG556 and use it for both PS5 streaming and emulation of heaps of other systems.
5.48 inch screen for playing PS5 games? LMAO
The S10e screen I use for PS5 remote play is smaller than that in viewable area when you take into account it's a 19:9 aspect ratio, displaying 16:9.
An RG556 would actually have a slightly larger viewing area due being able to display the native 16:9 aspect ratio without any cropping.Albeit my eyesight is good, and if someone else has worse eyesight I wouldn't recommend the experience on a screen of this size.
It's a widely known consensus that playing AAA games under 8 inch is an eyesore. The portal is the best experience option as an all-in-one portable streaming solution. I have a 6.7 inch phone, I'm not sure what the exact viewable area size is on it which is obviously a bit smaller due to aspect ratio as you said but there is a lot of games where the games simply feel too small to play, I can see, it's just too frustrating. And my eyesight is very good, I get tested once a year and don't need or wear prescription glasses. So I'm going to say your idea of using an RG556 is simply not viable for most people to use for PS5 streaming, it's just not. It's a case of you having a higher tolerance, for most people it's not enjoyable.
I would love to trail this. PS emote play is terrible when I've tried from home on my phone (s24u) or laptop. Maybe an idea to pick up used one, plenty going for cheaper then tbis
Just be aware that this is just an android tablet (that can only do remote play) with a controller attached, using the exact same setup as your phone or laptop to connect to your PS5. If your remote play experience was terrible on those it will almost assuredly be terrible on this.
I don't use this quite as much as I thought I would, but I do certainly use it. It's pretty perfect for RPGs, turn-based stuff, some general single player stuff (Horizon Forbidden West) though coming from my S90C OLED TV to this is more jarring than I expected… I think they missed an opportunity not using an OLED screen personally.
I'm exactly the same, although I tried remote play with my steam deck.
I have a 65" S95C oled with Q990c sound bar… Playing Final Fantasy 7 Remake on the steam deck via remote play just didn't hit the same lol. Was a big drop of immersion.
I guess it's fine if you want to watch TV and game.. But Certisnly is rather just get the full experience on the TV lol
Even a game like Sea of Stars, the beautiful pixel art really popped nicely on the TV, and felt very flat on the Portal… If I didn't have an OLED TV, the stark contrast wouldn't be an issue/I wouldn't care but I often play back to back as I migrate to bed or something ha.
@ReaperX22 and @Circly - As an owner of a 77” Sony A95L QD-OLED TV (the winner/king of TVs for 2023 and 2024 based on objective standards at the annual Value Electronics TV shootout event), and an LG 65” C9 WOLED TV, as much as I am a fan of OLED tech, I wouldn’t want a gaming only device, a table, a phone or a laptop with an OLED screen, burn in still exists on OLED screens and people that think it doesn’t have been sucked in by marketing, if I used my OLED TVs to game on as much as I watch my Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray collection, I have no doubt that my OLED TVs would have suffered this fate.
If I get this and I don't have a ps5, can others who do have a ps5 potentially allow me to borrow their console?
I've been looking for one on marketplace, there are absolute flogs trying to sell their terrible condition portals for like $240-$280. What a joke, it's used and not worth close to retail. This is a welcome price drop because hopefully I can pick up a good one for around $180-$200 if the price stays like this.
love the appearance but the price and capability is what letting it down for me to purchase.
- a lot of the negativity is over the fact this is not a dedicated gaming device, but a mere remote access device.
- and then, people start questioning WiFi strength etc etc.
Once you educate yourselves over these, then you start seeing the device for what it is intended to exactly.
I use this from day one, knew exactly what I was getting and love it - especially useful for dads with TV controlled by ur partner or kids, and occasional connection from office.Have I used backbone before, yes and they work the same, but 1. painful to set-up each and every time (have to even take off phonecase to plug backbone or any controller attachment) and 2. painful to see anything on a phone screen. Sony themselves have said, 8" screen size is the sweet spot and they're right. and 3. backbone or any other controller-attachment, is NOT Dualshock - not the most convenient to enjoy PS5 gaming on the go.
4. 60Hz and 1080p is more than enough for the size of the screen, anymore than this you'd need a very fast connection and put a strain on your 5G / NBN connection, it's not worth the trade.Prior to this I connect remotely on my PS5 through my Mac (RemotePlay App and connect PS5 Controller to my Mac), so I was very comfortable with remoteplay for a very long time (so no questions over no.1 & 2 above). I've gone through the early days of very choppy connection to what it is today.
buy, don't buy - or think of buying if it's half-price, whatever. There's a market for the device. if you feel like test drive, go download RemotePlay app on either your phone or your PC.
if you're ready to jump in but dont want to commit >$300 for it, there's an abundance of 2nd hand devices on marketplace because people didn't know what they were getting.You forgot to also mention that the Backbone analog sticks are unusable complete trash.
Good comment, and I agree completely. I bought this thing day one in Japan, and it actually ended up being better than expectations. Sometimes there's nothing better than getting into bed on a cold winters night with a dedicated streaming machine to play some Fallout 4 or XCOM etc. It just works really nicely with no messing around or setup.
I'm sometimes not sure why 100 people who don't have one always jump in Portal posts and advise that there are worse devices out there that we can get for half the price that we can stick our phone in.
Probably still not upvoting this price as there is no world in which Sony should have been asking more than $300 in the first place. I'm not sure where they sourced the LED screens they ended up using, but lets just say "they get the job done" and nothing more.
I don't mind the concept as a streaming device but the limitations in using wireless headphones is a turn off.
Don't want to be dropping more money on proprietary headphones especially when you're already paying a premium on the portal
Whenever I tried to use Remote Play app on my Mac/iPad (within the same wifi network using 5ghz), the steaming would drop frames occasionally. I am not sure if Remote Play makes my PS5 stream to another server instead of using local network, would I have the same problem with the portal?
Is your ps5 connected via Ethernet?
The remote play app on other devices and the portal will perform the same.
Thank you. PS5 is on 5ghz but upload speed between devices is over 100mbps (which I figured would be enough..) - PS5 needs to stay next to the TV so I might pass on the Portal :'(
Ideally Ethernet connection.
Mine was laggy and unplayable with 5ghz (100/20) but once I connected via Ethernet (with my steam deck) it worked alot better.
Can't run a super long cable to the router? Lol
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@Mahogany Granger - No. What I’m saying is that inside my home I have no need for this PlayStation device when I own other better options, and outside of my home, for instance when I’m on holiday, I’ve got better things to be doing than playing video games that I can do at home everyday, such as doing what I went on holiday for and enjoying different things to what I ordinarily do.