The PlayStation Portal is back in stock at Best Buy. The Remote Play device has been mostly out of stock at major retailers since its November launch. Predictably, scalpers have inflated the price on reseller marketplaces. In a sign of good news, Best Buy’s latest restock hasn’t sold out immediately. That said, it will probably sell out soon. Amazon has been restocking the PlayStation Portal regularly over the past couple weeks, though it typically sells out in minutes.
Keep in mind that this is a streaming device, meaning you’ll need a fast (and reliable) internet connection to get the most use out of the handheld. The Portal only works when synced to a PlayStation 5 console, so if you don’t already own a PS5, you’ll need to get one if you’re interested in the handheld device. The PS5 Slim bundle with Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is available at Amazon for only $449. Alternatively, you can get the PS5 Slim Digital version of the bundle for only $399.
While it was already possible to stream PS5 games using Remote Play, the PlayStation Portal takes advantage of a brand-new wireless technology called PlayStation Link. The new tech offers low latency and lossless audio, which should ideally result in smooth gaming sessions when away from your PS5.
The PlayStation Portal is not equipped with Bluetooth, but you can use the aforementioned 3.5mm audio jack for personal listening. Alternatively, you can purchase one of the new Pulse audio devices that PlayStation designed with the Portal in mind. The Pulse Explore earbuds are available now for $200. They come with a PlayStation Link adapter that allows you to connect the earbuds to your PS5 and PC, too. If you prefer over-ear headphones, the Pulse Elite headset is available for $150.