The PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle includes the console, a DualSense and DualSense Edge, and the DualSense Charging Station. It even has a console cover for the disc drive (still sold separately, unfortunately). Fortunately, it has a Vertical Stand and some collector’s items, including cable ties based on the PlayStation Shapes.

The PS5 Digital Edition 30th Anniversary Limited Edition Bundle includes the same items and Vertical Stand, albeit with only one DualSense and a console cover. You can also pick up 30th Anniversary Limited Edition versions of the PlayStation Portal, DualSense and DualSense Edge.

Of course, quantities are limited – the PS5 Pro 30th Anniversary bundle will only have 12,300 units, each etched with numbers indicating the date of the PS One’s launch. Pre-orders for the bundle alongside the PlayStation Portal and DualSense Edge (standalone) begin on September 26th via PlayStation Direct and retailers.

The same applies to the PS5 Digital Edition bundle from PlayStation Direct, though pre-orders at retailers start on October 10th. Finally, the DualSense Wireless (standalone) is only available to pre-order from retailers on September 26th.

Meanwhile, the “regular” PS5 Pro launches on November 7th, retailing for $699.99. Head here for everything you should know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amdZnHooTkk

Thanks to the new outer vents, players must purchase new console covers as they become available (release dates have yet to be confirmed). A vertical stand must be purchased separately and the same goes for a disc drive. The PS5 Pro supports Ultra HD Blu-Ray Disc Drives, including the one currently available for the PS5 Slim.

It also includes a DualSense wireless controller, a solid-state drive with 2 TB of space, and Astro’s Playroom. All current accessories are compatible with the Pro, from PlayStation VR2 and DualSense Edge to the Access controller and PlayStation Portal.

PS5 Pro launches on November 7th for $699.99. Check out some PS5 titles that will receive free patches to take advantage of its features here.

The PlayStation Portal launched in November 2023 and sold out in the US and United Kingdom within two days. Spain also saw three times the sales for the accessory compared to the Xbox Series X/Sin during its launch week.

Sony hasn’t provided sales figures on PlayStation Portal. However, PlayStation vice president of product management Hiromi Wakai confirmed last February that demand has “continued to exceed our expectations.” Head here for more details on its features.

Overall spending on accessories reached $148 million, which dropped eight percent over last year. Though gamepad spending fell by 12 percent, headphone and headset spending rose by 10 percent. Stay tuned for more updates in the meantime.

May spending on Accessories dropped 8% when compared to a year ago to $148M. Headset and Headphone spending growth 10% in May when compared to a year ago was offset by a 12% dip in Gamepad spending.

— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) July 8, 2024

The PlayStation Portal was the best-selling accessory in dollar sales for both May and 2024 year-to-date.

— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) July 8, 2024

For starters, the developer has confirmed that Sea of Thieves will be playable via PlayStation Portal, Sony’s remote play handheld. “We’ve tested this and are pleased to confirm Sea of Thieves will be playable via the PlayStation Portal,” the developer writes.

That said, the multiplayer pirate game doesn’t have any plans of adding support for another major PlayStation accessory, namely PS VR2. In the FAQ, Rare says it has “no current plans” to add PS VR2 support to Sea of Thieves. Given the lack of success the virtual reality headset has seen, that probably doesn’t come as too much of a shock- especially since Sea of Thieves has been on PC for years, but has shown no signs of wanting to add VR support.

Rare has also revealed that with Sea of Thieves’ PS5 release set to introduce a larger player base, it’s considering bringing back six-ship servers. Read more on that through here.

Sea of Thieves launches for PS5 on April 30, with a closed beta going live on April 12. It’s currently available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC.

“Although we don’t have any numbers to share, the demand has continued to exceed our expectations,” she revealed to GameFile. Interestingly, the team behind the Portal somewhat anticipated the initial response. “From the beginning, PlayStation Portal was intended to be a product best suited for people with specific needs and those who want to play in a specific way, so the reactions after the announcement were very much within our expectations.”

Development began in 2022 and Wakai notes that initial discussions centred on “how to expand the PS5 console game experience, not launch a separate handheld device.” The original concept was assembled by Edwin Foo, VP of product development, who previously worked at Apple. Other developers included those involved with the PS5, the PlayStation Vita and the PlayStation App.

Sony considered going with a smaller screen at one point but opted for the current eight inches to distinguish it from other mobile devices. Since its launch, there’s been much positive feedback from early adopters with good internet at home (and even some who upgraded their connections to address any lag).

The PlayStation Portal retails for $199.99. Head here for more details on its features.

Interestingly, the PlayStation Portal had a strong debut, ranking fourth for November and selling out (with limited quantities available). The handheld sold out within two days of launch on PlayStation Direct in the United States and the United Kingdom. US customers were advised to check back in early December for more details on availability so it could repeat its success this month.

Hardware spending for the year-to-date was $5 billion, a one percent drop from last year. Accessory spending topped $303 million and increased by three percent year-to-year. It’s thanks to an eight percent jump in gamepad sales with the PS5 Dual Sense Wireless Controller Midnight Black again on top.

November video game hardware spending fell 24% when compared to a year ago, to $964 million. All current generation consoles experienced a double-digit percentage decline in dollar sales when compared to a year ago, with Nintendo Switch showing the sharpest drop year-on-year.

— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) December 13, 2023

PlayStation Portal debuted as the #4 best-selling hardware platform of November with the limited quantities available at launch selling out.

— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) December 13, 2023

PlayStation 5 remained the best-selling hardware platform in both unit and dollar sales during November 2023. Xbox Series ranked 2nd across both measures.

— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) December 13, 2023

Year-to-date hardware spending fell 1% when compared to the same period in 2022, at $5.0 billion. PlayStation 5 remains the best-selling hardware platform in both units and dollars 2023 year-to-date, with Nintendo Switch placing 2nd across both measures.

— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) December 13, 2023

November 2023 accessories spending increased 3% when compared to a year ago, to $303 million, driven by 8% growth in gamepad spending. The PS5 Dual Sense Wireless Controller Midnight Black was again the month’s best-selling accessory in consumer spending.

— Mat Piscatella (@MatPiscatella) December 13, 2023

As reported by Gamereactor Spain, the PlayStation Portal sold over 5,7000 units in Spain. That’s nearly three times as much as what the Xbox Series X/S managed in the region, with collective sales of over 2,000 units. Xbox consoles have traditionally seen relatively low sales in European markets over the years, so this may not come as a massive surprise.

Interestingly, however, the PlayStation Portal’s launch sales were still lower than the PS VR2, which sold over 8,000 units in Spain upon its launch earlier this year.

PlayStation Portal has enjoyed impressive sales in the immediate aftermath of its launch, having sold out in the United States and the United Kingdom. Read more on that through here.

As reported by Eurogamer, the US version of the PlayStation Direct store mentions that the PlayStation Store is out of stock, asking users to “check back early December for more details on stock availability”. Meanwhile, the UK version of the store page doesn’t currently have the device in stock either, and states, “We’re working hard to make more stock available. Please check back on Wednesday 22^nd November.”

Meanwhile, a number of PlayStation Portal listings can be found on eBay, where sellers are selling it for prices ranging from $250 to as high as $450, as compared to the official retail price of $199.99, so it’s certainly a possibility that widespread scalping may have contributed to the early lack of supply.

Interestingly enough, in October, several weeks ahead of the PlayStation Portal’s launch, pre-orders had already sold out in Japan. Read more on that through here.

Requires PS5 console

Whilst the upcoming PlayStation Portal Remote Player appears a standalone console, Sony have confirmed that it will require twinning with a PlayStation 5 console to run. See, the PlayStation Portal remotely streams games from the console straight through to the device, and the PS5 will need to be turned on for the system to operate. Additionally, only one PlayStation Portal Remote Player can be connected to the PS5 console at any one time.

Plays compatible games stored on console

The entirety of your game library is playable on the PlayStation Portal including your favourites for both PS5 and PS4; the only caveat is they must be compatible with the handheld device. The implication here is that certain games simply won’t work on the Portal, but it’s more likely the entirety of your collection will stream to the device problem free. There’s no internal storage though; games simply must be streamed. No internal storage means there’s zero access to the PS Store either so if you want to play a game specifically on the Portal you’re going to have to sort it on your PS5 first.

No PS Plus Premium streaming

Whilst PS Plus Premium allows streaming of new games to your console, there’s no official word yet on whether this luxury will be extended to the PlayStation Portal, so for now its games that are installed on your console that are the only games playable.

PS Plus membership not required

And with PS Plus Premium’s capability to stream new games and games not installed to your home console not being extended to PlayStation Portal, Sony have confirmed that a PS Plus membership is not required to enjoy their upcoming handheld. However, if you’re using Remote Play to play a game that has multiplayer capability then you will need an active membership in order to play with others.

8” LCD Screen

Straightforward one this: the PlayStation Portal Remote Player features an 8” LCD screen. Whilst to some this size might not sound particularly impressive, remember the largest mobile phones are somewhere in the region of 6.5” to 6.8” with tablet computers something like 11”. The Nintendo Switch – a console Sony have been very clear is not intended as direct competition for their handheld – measures 6.2”. Sitting between pro-model cell phones and tablets is probably the right call for PlayStation Portal. The extra inch and a half it has over phones will make a sizeable difference once the device is in your hands. Oh, the fact it’s LCD and not OLED might irk some though.

1080p resolution, 60fps

The PlayStation Portal’s 8” screen is capable of streaming PS5 games up to 1080p resolution at 60fps, so not 4K but sharp enough to appear crystal clear and play smooth on a screen of this size.

Bookended by DualSense controllers

Yes, the DualSense Wireless features inherent in your PS5 controller are present and correct in PlayStation Portal. Haptic feedback and adaptive triggers will provide the same level of immersion on Sony’s latest handheld as they do on your home console, providing they’re supported by the game you’re playing that is. The sticks are lifted from the PSVR2 though, despite looking identical on the marketing imagery we’ve been treated to so far. The DualSense’s touch pad is replicated on the Portal’s screen via zones located in the bottom left and right of the screen.

Requires Wi-Fi

The PlayStation Portal Remote Player does require a Wi-Fi connection to operate. However, this is not limited to your Wi-Fi network at home. Sony are clear though that your home Wi-Fi does represent the best option because you’re in control of the connection speed but disregarding this the Portal will work when connected to any Wi-Fi, anywhere. 5mbps is the minimum speed, with 15mbps being the optimum connection for the most streamlined, high quality play experience. The Portal will turn on your PS5 from anywhere though, so if you’re in a hotel room and you fancy a game you won’t need to text someone at home to turn your console on.

Does not require use of TV

Should the living room TV be in high demand – and, let’s be honest, when is it not – then PlayStation Portal can still be played. As already mentioned, the only prerequisite is that the PS5 console is turned on. Others can be watching a show, a movie, or even playing on another console, and the PlayStation Portal Remote Player will work fine.

No Bluetooth

A major feature overlooked perhaps; the lack of Bluetooth on Sony’s upcoming handheld has been derided by some. And to be fair, if you’ve a pair of Bluetooth headphones, then the lack of Bluetooth capability is a big miss. Weirdly – or, more likely, not weirdly but a strategic decision by Sony’s boardroom – the PlayStation Portal is PlayStation Link equipped, meaning it’ll work great with Sony’s latest PlayStation Pulse Explore earbuds and Pulse Elite headset. So wireless audio is possible, but you’ll have to shell out for another device to experience it.

Has speakers and 3.5mm audio jack

Another simple one to explain; PlayStation Portal Remote Player features built-in speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack, so for those of you still rocking wired-in headphones this is a great inclusion. Hands up if you still have headphones with a wire. That it? Hmm, seems like Bluetooth would have been a better inclusion than a 3.5mm jack, as welcome as that archaic feature is.

PSVR2 games not supported

Should go without saying really seeing as PSVR2 requires a PS5 to operate just like the PlayStation Portal, but Sony have felt the need to clarify that PSVR2 games are not compatible with their upcoming handheld.

Mixed response from the community

There’s the obvious reaction from many a gamer claiming that Sony is FINISHED, but truth is there’s not an awful lot PlayStation Portal does that a mobile phone and the PS Remote Play app can’t do already. Apart from remote switch on – which, admittedly is pretty neat if you’re out of the house – it doesn’t make much sense to shell out for a handheld companion to your PS5 console. If you want a more streamlined and simple way to connect to the games on your PS5 without the potential for glitches and signal drop-out so prevalent on the Remote Play app, then PlayStation Portal might be the answer. If you’re a mega-fan of remote gaming, then this is the device for you. Furthermore, those of us with kids that relentlessly demand use of the TV, or maybe those who work away a lot, or at least spend a great deal of time away from home, PlayStation Portal also appears a great option. The device’s hardware, screen, and DualSense controllers give it a further edge over a mobile phone and the PS Remote Play app too.

Price

The PlayStation Portal Remote Player retails for £199.99 / $199.99. To be honest, given the price of PlayStation’s peripherals of late, this isn’t extortionate. Perhaps the more modest selling price is indicative of the PlayStation Portal’s lack of features.

Releases 15^th November

The PlayStation Portal Remote Player releases worldwide on November 15^th. Pre-orders can be placed via PlayStation Direct with those in the US able to order at Best Buy or Gamestop, whilst for UK residents a raft of retailers have pre-orders live now including Currys and Very.

As shared on Twitter by @Genki_JPN, pre-orders for PlayStation Portal – which became available worldwide outside of PlayStation Direct on September 29 – have been sold out at pretty much all online retailers in Japan, including Amazon, Sony Store, and many other. The portable system is priced at ¥29,980 in Japan (or $199.99 in the United States).

The PlayStation Portal has attracted its fair share of skepticism since its reveal, having received criticism for its lack of cloud streaming, Bluetooth support, and support for other features (like a native media player), though for now, it seems like to be gearing up for a successful launch nonetheless.

The device is set to release worldwide on November 15.

PlayStation Portal pre-orders have sold out at all online retailers in Japan! 👀#PlayStation

Amazon: Sold out
Rakuten Books: Sold out
Yodobashi: Sold out
Bic Camera: Sold out
Yamada Webcom: Sold out
Sofmap: Sold out
Joshin: Sold out
Sony Store: Sold out
Edion: Sold out
Aeon:… pic.twitter.com/D8N9FAOi9z

— Genki✨ (@Genki_JPN) September 29, 2023