PlayStation Portal reportedly hacked to run emulated PSP games natively

PS Portal with Qualcomm SoC, Source: Andy Nguyen

The PlayStation Portal isn’t a standalone handheld gaming device; instead, it links up with your local PlayStation 5 console, allowing you to stream content to its portable screen. It’s designed for folks who already own the console but find themselves in situations where the main screen for their PS5 isn’t available (or those who simply are eager to have fun playing in their garden). This provides gamers with the convenience of playing their favorite games remotely.

PS Portal with Qualcomm SoC, Source: Jabob R

The Portal system features a large 8-inch screen, surpassing the sizes of Steam Deck or ROG Ally. However, unlike these standalone devices equipped with capable AMD APUs for native gaming, the PlayStation Portable relies on a different approach. It utilizes the Qualcomm SG4150P chip, possibly housing the Snapdragon 662 or Snapdragon G1/G2 SoC, which is used to decode the streaming video in real-time and send controller feedbacks back to the console, all while being wirelessly connected.

Interestingly, there’s been a breakthrough in hacking of this system. It can supposedly now run games natively without relying on streaming. Andy Nguyen posted a screenshot, asserting that his team had successfully hacked the system, showcasing it running Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories through PPSSPP (PlayStation Portable 2004 emulator).

Andy has committed to sharing a video showcasing this achievement over the weekend. However, he emphasizes that there’s still a substantial amount of work to be completed before the hack is ready for public disclosure. As a result, updates on this project may not be expected for some time.

Source: Andy Nguyen