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

Sony is reportedly exploring a return to the handheld gaming console market, a move that would pit them against Nintendo's dominant Switch. Long-time gaming fans will recall Sony's previous forays into this space with the PlayStation Portable and Vita.

According to Bloomberg, Sony is in the early stages of developing a portable console. However, this is still very early in the development process, and there's no guarantee the console will ever be released. The report emphasizes that the project could be scrapped at any time.

The rise of mobile gaming significantly impacted the handheld console market, leading many companies (excluding Nintendo) to abandon the sector. Despite the Vita's popularity, Sony seemingly concluded that competing with smartphones wasn't viable.

A Changing Landscape

The recent success of the Steam Deck and other handheld devices, coupled with the ongoing popularity of the Nintendo Switch, suggests a renewed interest in dedicated portable gaming. Furthermore, the increasing power and capabilities of mobile devices may actually support the viability of a high-end portable console, offering a compelling alternative to smartphone gaming for a specific audience.

This potential market resurgence is what might be prompting Sony's reconsideration. While the project remains uncertain, the possibility of a new PlayStation portable console is certainly intriguing.

For now, check out our list of the best mobile games of 2024 for some great titles available on your smartphone.