Sony's portable PlayStation Portal system launched to mixed reviews in November 2023, and opinions on the system are still debated. Rather than returning to the standalone portable market that Sony last explored with the Vita in 2011, Portal is a completely streaming-based device that requires a connection to a PS5. For many players, this seemed like a missed opportunity, and thanks to some innovative solutions, we now know that the system is capable of much more.
Alternative solution for the fan
The new development of the Sony portal comes thanks to two Google engineers named Andy Nguyen and Calle Svensson. Although more of a proof of concept than anything designed for the public, the work this duo has done has provided them with deep access to the Gateway's Android firmware. This allowed for the introduction of custom code, which in this case was a series of different Sony system emulators.
As a result of this work, the busy team revealed that although the portal is designed for live streaming, it has enough power to run many older games locally. As noted by The Verge, this includes a PSP emulator, giving the portal the ability to play titles from Sony's first official handheld.
Possibility as platform independent
The processing power of the Gateway provides the power needed to emulate PS1 and PSP games, with PS2 and PS Vita emulation on the horizon. This means that the platform could, in theory, serve as a sort of update on Sony's classic console and handheld hardware. Due to the portal's high-quality screen and controller, it can also offer a better experience than the originals.
The library of possible titles on the mod portal includes, at a minimum, the full collection of PS1 and PSP games. This includes approximately 8,000 and 2,200 titles, respectively, each of which can be upgraded and provide faster loading thanks to solid-state memory. As PlayStation Classic experiences have been reviewed in reviews like this one at TechRadar, there's a lot of potential and excitement here, should Sony follow through.
“PS Vita” (CC BY-SA 2.0) Written by Sergey Galyonkin
An internet-connected mobile device could also provide access to streaming content and online browsing, something Sony often overlooks on consoles. A basic Android web browser would open up options in experiences like digital betting, for example. Services like Freebet Casino have been offering bonus comparisons like deposit matches and free spins for years on PC and mobile platforms. Websites like Betfair Casino and Paddy Power are not available at all on current Sony systems, and an open portal can overcome this limitation. HTML5 and better Android support would likewise improve feature integration and apps like Hulu, Netflix, and music platforms.
The ball is in Sony's court
The question on everyone's lips is what Sony could choose to do with the Portal now that everyone knows what it's capable of. By all accounts, Portal has sold better than Sony expected, and there is great hope for an open gaming platform, but such a process is not simple. The gateway was never officially designed to host games locally, and changing the firmware to support that feat wouldn't be easy. Even if Sony jumps in, the limited 6GB storage capacity with no upgradeability will be an issue with current models.
However, long-time fans of Sony's handheld consoles and classic games can only hope that Sony takes the Portal's developments and reception seriously. Opening the platform is a safer bet than developing an entirely new system, and will find a lot of goodwill from players. Even if we were allowed to play FF7 and Crash Bandicoot on the go, we would be happy with the opportunity.
