Sony has tentative plans to re-enter the handheld market with a new portable console

• Sony is reportedly considering re-entering the mobile console market
• Longtime readers and gamers will remember devices like the PlayStation Portable and Vita
• And while it may be early days yet, the potential does seem to be there

According to tentative reports from Bloomberg (via Gamedeveloper) we may soon see Sony returning to the portable gaming console market. Well, possibly, let’s dig in. The news is essentially that Sony has a portable console in early development, intended to compete with Nintendo and their Switch (and potential successor console).

Of course, there’s always the old chestnut of this being from those “familiar with the matter”, or development in this case. But that doesn’t mean the news is meritless, only that this is most likely very early doors for a potential PsP or Vita follow-up, and Bloomberg themselves note that Sony could very well choose not to bring the console to market.

Very longtime readers may remember the heyday of portable consoles like the PS Vita, when we even covered them on the site. However, the dominance of mobile is not just down to its own strong merits, but also the gradual abandonment of portable gaming by many companies with the exception of Nintendo. Despite the popularity of the Vita, it seems Sony and others watching them saw no point in trying to compete with smartphones.

On the go

Of course, in recent years we’ve not only seen a return to form with devices like the Steam Deck and homegrown spin-offs from other companies, and the continued success of the Switch, but also an increase in the fidelity and technical capabilities of mobile devices.

While you’d think this would put off any potential re-entry into the market, I’d argue it could also help persuade companies like Sony that yes, there is in-fact a suitable market for gaming on the go. And maybe, just maybe, a paying customer base that would buy a console for that niche.

But enough blasts from the past. Why not look at what’s currently hot with our list of the best mobile games of 2024 (so far) for some great releases to play on your smartphone right now?