PlayStation Portal Surprises: High Demand and Unexpected Success

The PlayStation Portal, Sony's cloud-based handheld, has exceeded expectations, according to a recent interview with Hiromi Wakai, PlayStation's vice president of product management. While exact numbers haven't been shared, Wakai admits demand has been "very much within our expectations" despite initial skepticism.

The Portal wasn't intended as a competitor to dedicated handhelds like the Switch, but rather as a way to "expand the console game experience." This focus, coupled with positive feedback on performance and use cases like sports and popular titles, seems to be driving success.

Despite some users facing issues with unstable internet, the Portal has found a niche among early adopters and even those who have hacked it for additional functionalities. While its true numbers remain undisclosed, stock shortages and positive user experiences suggest the Portal might be an unexpected success for Sony.