"Amazon Slashes Price of Like-New PlayStation Portal to $149.88"

The PlayStation Portal, a sought-after accessory for PS5 enthusiasts, has never seen a direct discount from Sony. However, savvy gamers can now snag a deal on a used model. Amazon Resale, formerly known as Amazon Warehouse, currently offers the PlayStation Portal in Used: Like New condition for just $149.88, shipped. This represents a significant 25% saving off the original $199 price tag. While the inclusion of a Sony warranty is uncertain, Amazon Resale items are covered by the same 30-day return policy as new purchases, providing buyers with peace of mind. Given its popularity, we anticipate these units will sell out quickly.

PlayStation Portal (Used: Like New) for $149.88

Make sure to select the "Save with Used - Like New" option

Used: Like New Condition

Looks and functions as if it were new. Moderate packing damage was observed during inspection.

The PS Portal, Sony's innovative handheld gaming accessory for the PS5, resembles an extended split-pad DualSense controller with an 8-inch 1080p LCD screen integrated in the middle. It transforms your PS5 into a portable gaming device, enabling you to stream games directly from your console at up to 60fps. The controller boasts all the features of the DualSense, including haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and a touchscreen interface that substitutes for the DualSense's touchpad. While the Portal can stream games even outside your home, it requires a very stable and fast internet connection. Remember, the PS Portal is not a standalone device; it's strictly a remote player for the PlayStation 5, meaning you'll need a PS5 to utilize it.

Excitingly, the need for a PS5 to play games on the PS Portal has been alleviated. Sony has introduced a feature allowing owners to stream games directly from its PlayStation Now cloud streaming service, eliminating the requirement for a PS5. With the Portal, you can connect either to your PS5 or to Sony’s cloud servers, especially with the recent quality of life beta updates launched in April. Opting for the cloud servers grants access to a library of over 120 games, including titles like Ghost of Tsushima, Resident Evil 3 Remake, The Last of Us Part 1 Remastered, and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales. It's important to note that you must subscribe to the highest tier of PlayStation Plus, which costs $18 a month—a more appealing option compared to spending $500 upfront plus an extra $70 per game.

While the PlayStation Portal isn't the only device capable of streaming PS5 games over Wi-Fi within your home, alternatives like the PS Remote Play app on mobile devices or other gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck require more setup and may lack some of the DualSense's advanced features.

PlayStation Portal Review by Seth Macy

"The PlayStation Portal is the most surprising device I've ever come away from loving after going in loaded with skepticism. It's such a better experience than using your phone with a slap-on controller, and it works so much better than I was anticipating. I really love the freedom it gives me to play my PS5 from anywhere with decent WiFi coverage, especially when the rest of my family was using the TV to (somewhat ironically) play the Switch. Bearing in mind that it’s in no way a stand-alone device and 100% requires a PlayStation 5 to function at all, the biggest things keeping the Portal from being a truly amazing device are its current lack of a way to access WiFi that requires a web browser to log in, and its lack of Bluetooth support for audio. For now, it's a great device that represents the best current solution for PlayStation Remote Play, and if it weren't for those two baffling caveats, I'd call this a must-own device for every PS5 owner who enjoys playing games on handheld – or has to compete for the household TV."