Ah, the good old PlayStation Vita. A little gem in the world of handheld consoles. Take a seat, my friend, for I will tell you the comedic and sad story of this wonderful console.

It all began a long time ago, in the distant year of 2011, when Sony decided to develop a successor to the popular PlayStation Portable (PSP). They called it the PlayStation Vita, which means “life” in Latin. It was a bold decision because the life of the Vita was to be anything but easy nor really lively.

When the Vita first saw the light of day, it shone like a diamond. It had an impressive OLED display, powerful hardware, and touchscreen capabilities that delighted players. Sony was sure that this would be the best handheld console of all time. They had only one small problem: the price. The Vita wasn’t exactly cheap and initially cost a lot of money. People weren’t willing to spend that much on a portable console, especially when they already had smartphones with similar features. Well to be fair the greater public did not know it could play Uncharted, Gravity Rush and be modded into a champ.

The resurgence of handheld gaming, exemplified by devices like the Steam Deck and the increasing popularity of portable gaming in 2024, presents a compelling case for the return of a PlayStation Portable. Here’s why Sony should consider re-entering the handheld market:

The success of the Steam Deck highlights a significant demand for powerful, versatile handheld gaming devices. Gamers are increasingly looking for the flexibility to play high-quality games on the go without sacrificing performance. Sony, with its strong brand recognition and history in gaming, is well-positioned to tap into this market.

Given the thriving handheld market, advancements in technology, and the strong PlayStation ecosystem, Sony has a significant opportunity to re-enter and potentially dominate the portable gaming space. A new PlayStation Portable could offer a unique, high-quality gaming experience that leverages Sony’s strengths and meets the evolving demands of gamers in 2024 and beyond.

Taking inspiration from the PS5 controller. I basically glued the controller to a screen with a certain thickness and not too much bigger from the original, since I wanted to keep fairly portable and ergonomic. Still a better looker than the PlayStation Portal.

Taking a slice from the Switch and SteamOS User-Interface, the focus lies on simplicity, speed, and ease of use, catering to a broad audience that includes both casual and hardcore gamers. The design is intended to be intuitive and accessible, ensuring that players can quickly jump into games and navigate the system with minimal effort in a familiar PlayStation eco-system.