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Portable Game Player 5 – A PlayStation Portal Doppelgänger on a Budget

Hey fam! 👋


Have you ever seen a gadget and wondered if it was trying to trick your eyes and your wallet? The Portable Game Player 5 absolutely leans into that feeling. It looks very, very similar to Sony’s PlayStation Portal in silhouette and button layout, but it ships as a standalone, retro/emulation-focused device and costs a lot less. Let’s be honest up front, this is a knockoff in spirit, but it also does a lot of sensible things for the money. Here’s a clear, no-fluff look at what it is, how it compares to the real Portal, and whether it might be the right little device for you.


Quick hype moment If you want big-screen-feel handheld gaming without spending triple digits, the Portable Game Player 5 might catch your attention. It is loud-looking, it tries to be useful, and for about $53.55 USD it gives you features you would not expect at that price.


First look and color options

This device comes in three color ways: white, black, and a two-tone red & blue option that is very much in the style of a Switch Joy-Con pair.

  • White gives a clean, simple look.

  • Black is stealthy and practical.

  • Red & blue is playful and will make the device pop in photos.

The face layout copies the Portal styling closely, including the stick placement and the main button cluster, but the Portable Game Player 5 tucks in a few extra function buttons for quick access to menus or emulator features.


Screen and the pixel question — PPI measured

The Portable Game Player 5 ships with a 7.0-inch display at 1024 × 600 resolution. That works out to about 169.55 PPI.

By contrast, the PlayStation Portal uses an 8.0-inch 1920 × 1080 screen, which is roughly 275.36 PPI according to Sony’s official specs. This is a meaningful difference, and it shows up in practice: text and small UI elements look noticeably softer on the Portable Game Player 5, while the Portal’s 1080p panel is much crisper.


What that means for you, practically: retro pixel art and classic 2D games still look fine on the Portable Game Player 5, and softer text can even feel more “authentic” for very old sprite work. However, if you were hoping for PSP-era or higher-detail clarity on par with an official 1080p screen, the Portal is a different class.


Controls and ports — nearly a one-to-one layout plus extra

The front control layout closely follows the Portal design, but this unit adds some utility buttons. On the top edge you’ll find the ports the listing mentions:

  • USB-A port labeled as the “handle interface,” which appears intended for wired controller connection.

  • Mini HDMI listed as the “TV interface,” so you can output to a larger screen.

  • TF (microSD) slot for expandable storage.

  • USB-C charging port.

  • 3.5 mm headphone jack for wired audio.

  • Volume rocker for quick volume adjustments.

  • Power button.

Those ports make it fairly flexible for local play, TV output, and adding storage.


Software and game support

This model is sold as a self-contained retro/emulation device rather than a PS5 streaming accessory. The product page and the images suggest it is running a Linux-based front end and supports a wide range of retro formats. I will not guess the exact emulators or preloaded game count since that can vary between sellers and firmware versions. Please check the product listing for precise claims about preloaded titles and supported systems.

Build and extras

From the photos the device looks reasonably well put together for the price. There are some extra function buttons around the face, and the overall plastic finish is typical for low-cost handhelds. The vendor listing shows a price around $53.55 USD, which puts it in the “fun impulse buy” category rather than the “long-term premium tool” category.

One note about listings: you may see a line like “Packing Quantity: 30PCS.” That refers to bulk orders only and is not relevant when buying a single unit.


PGP5 vs PlayStation Portal — quick comparison

Feature

PlayStation Portal (official)

Portable Game Player 5 (this knockoff)

Screen size

8.0 inch

7.0 inch

Resolution

1920 × 1080 (≈ 275.36 PPI).

1024 × 600 (≈ 169.55 PPI)

Primary use

PS5 Remote Play streaming

Standalone retro/emulation handheld

TV out

No (Portal streams only)

Yes, Mini HDMI listed

Controller pairing

Proprietary DualSense-style features

USB-A handle interface, likely wired controller support

Price (approx)

Officially $199 USD

~ $53.55 USD (AliExpress listing provided by user)

Who should consider this device

  • Collectors of novelty handhelds who want a big-screen, Portal-like look without the price tag.

  • Retro players who primarily play NES, SNES, Genesis, PS1-era games and want a cheap, portable way to enjoy them and occasionally output to a TV.


Who should skip it

  • PS5 owners wanting an official Portal experience, this device is not a PS5 Remote Play appliance and will not give the Portal’s streaming features.

  • Players who want crisp 1080p clarity or top-tier streaming, the screen and internals are not in the same league as the Portal.


The real question — is it worth it?

So here is the question I started with, and I want you to think about it too: Do you want a convenient device that looks like a high-end streamer and plays retro games, or do you want the real streaming experience and pixel-perfect clarity?


My short answer: if you want the real PlayStation streaming experience and the sharp 1080p display, buy the Portal. If you want a standalone retro device that is fun to hold, looks eye-catching, and can also output to a TV for casual couch sessions, the Portable Game Player 5 is a surprisingly capable bargain for about $53.55 USD.


If you want to check the listing I used, here are the links (non-affiliate and affiliate):


If you pick one up, let me know how it plays for you. Post your thoughts in the comments below or head over to the forum and share your impressions in the Handheld Hodgepodge thread so everyone can compare notes.


Until next time! 👋


P’Nick ✨

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