Hackers turn Sony’s PlayStation Portal into a PSP emulation machine

Modders have turned Sony’s PlayStation Portal into a PSP emulation machine

Sony’s PlayStation Portal is a game streaming device. Players can link it to a PlayStation 5 console on their local network and use it to stream their games onto its portable screen. Now, hackers have turned it into a standalone gaming device. Andy Nguyen, a researcher at Google, has managed to get the PPSSPP PlayStation Portable emulator running on Sony’s new handheld. Below we can see it running Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.

With a large 8-inch screen and DualSense controls, Sony’s PlayStation Portal has a larger screen than devices like the ROG Ally and Steam Deck, and very comfortable controls. While the device doesn’t contain powerful gaming hardware (it is a streaming device after all), it is strong enough to emulate older consoles.

Given its use of lower-end processor, we do not expect Sony’s Portal device to become a real Steam Deck competitor. Even so, it is interesting to see how modders are giving Sony’s streaming handheld new use cases so quickly after launch.

After more than a month of hard work, PPSSPP is running natively on PlayStation Portal. Yes, we hacked it. With help from xyz and @ZetaTwo pic.twitter.com/AXuRROo6Ip

— Andy Nguyen (@theflow0) February 19, 2024

Andy Nguyen has confirmed that he plans to released videos showcasing the handheld’s PSP emulation in action this weekend. We can expect to see more then.

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