The handheld market is getting busy again, and Sony looks set to return. After rumors, reports now confirm a new PlayStation handheld internally named Project Canis.
It’s not out yet, and we’re still a couple of years away, but already there’s real potential here.
Not merely to compete with Nintendo and Microsoft’s handhelds, but to truly outshine them where it counts for players.
This isn’t about outdoing the Switch 2 on family-friendliness or the Ally X as a portable PC. Sony doesn’t need to do either of those things.
Instead, it could create its own niche as a true handheld experience that lets PlayStation fans play on the go without losing quality or ease.
Is Sony Preparing A Big Vita Succesor?
From what we’ve seen so far, it looks like this might finally be the handheld people hoped the Vita would be.
A proper device built to run native games with serious gaming as the goal.
The PlayStation Vita launched as a top-tier handheld for serious gaming, yet it faltered right away due to avoidable mistakes.
Sony tied it to expensive proprietary memory cards, removed the planned video-out feature, and pushed unnecessary features like the rear touchpad that drove costs up while adding limited value.
Critics and industry veterans like Shuhei Yoshida later admitted that Sony simply didn’t have the bandwidth to develop for both the Vita and PS4 at the same time.
This caused a shortage of first-party games, the cancellation of sequels like Soul Sacrifice 2 and Freedom Wars 2, and a steady loss of support from both developers and players.
The number of canceled Vita games, coupled with a shrinking software library and poor third-party support, ultimately doomed its potential.
Will It Actually Be Better Than the Switch 2 or Ally X?
Just recently, we covered the leaked specs, and sure, they point to a capable machine, but hardware alone won’t make or break this device.
What matters more is how Sony presents it. The Switch 2 is already building on a massively successful platform, while the Ally X targets performance-heavy users who want their Steam libraries on the go.
If this handheld lets people play their favorite PlayStation games smoothly, without depending on a console or needing a stable Wi-Fi connection, then that’s the win.
One of the most promising signs is that it’s reportedly compatible with PS4 games natively, and can even handle PS5 titles with reduced performance.
That puts it ahead of most competitors in terms of library size, and it fits right into what PlayStation fans already appreciate. In terms of specs and market share, maybe not.
But when it comes to purpose—what it’s made for and who it’s made for—it absolutely has a shot. If Sony puts in the effort and support, this handheld might deliver the comeback fans have waited for.
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