New PS Vita 2 leak — a streaming-only handheld that will divide fans

A new leak has suggested that a codename Q Lite steaming handheld could be on the way, but is it really Sony's PS Vita 2?

The long underrated PlayStation Vita handheld — alongside a stellar lineup of Vita games — was often forgotten despite being one of the best handheld gaming consoles of all time. A new leak suggests a new PS Vita 2 (of sorts) is in testing, but it might not be exactly what PSP and Vita fans would want. In any case, it has the mountainous reputation of the best PS Vita games to climb.

PS Vita 2 leak — do you like the sound of the streaming handheld?

Remote Play-only handheld for PS5 might not cut it for fans

Let's start with the details of the new device. As reported by Insider Gaming, though a few other insiders have been rumour mongering all week, it is alleged that there is a new PlayStation handheld called 'Q Lite.' Tom Henderson is a very reliable insider, but take the news with a pinch of salt until confirmed.

While some have been calling it a cloud streaming device, the report makes it very clear that it doesn't believe that that is the case. Instead, it is a PS5 accessory that uses Remote Play — a feature that allows phones, computers, and the PS Vita to connect to your PS5 over the same network to play games — and will need a constant internet connection for adaptive streaming upto 1080p and 60 fps.

The Last of Us Part 1... on handheld?

The report goes on to define the actual hardware, saying the prototypes look like a DualSense controller with an 8-inch LED touchscreen jammed in there. The two controller halves will apparently have haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, as well as an actual 3.5mm jack for headphones, speakers, and volume and power buttons. In short, it sounds like a full-bodied Remote Play device for the home, like a less child-like version of the Xbox handheld made by Logitech.

As for release, the report says that the diskless PS5 with the detachable drive is coming first, but that the Q Lite will be coming before the PS5 Pro (apparently that's a holiday 2024 device). An interesting nugget in the report is defining this release as part of Phase 2 of hardware that includes the PS5 console variants, PS5 earphones and headset, as well as this rumoured Remote Play handheld. We assume Phase 1 ended with the PS VR2.

Tearaway was a fantastic PS Vita game

Is this really the PS Vita 2?

However, the report has been doing the rounds as a kind of PS Vita 2 in PlayStation spaces— but is it really? To us, this isn't really a traditional gaming handheld as the report does a good job of making clear (which, remember, isn't a confirmation). For PS Vita owners who loved the device, a huge part of what made it so special was the ability to get your games away from the house and take them with you. Collecting Killzone Mercenary trophies on a train ride was a joy, as was the full-bodied trophy support on the device.

With the ability to have its own, unique games came true classics just for the PS Vita, like Gravity Rush and Uncharted Golden Abyss. That is what made it so special — the games were identifiably something different from console gaming. Then you have the fact that indie gaming was ripe on PS Vita to help fill out the library and allowed you to explore more genres as a gamer you might not think of trying to make the most of your PS5. Games like Fez, Guacamelee, Danganronpa, Zero Escape were — for most — just better suited to Vita's pick-up, play, and college-style genre-experimenting vibe.

Gravity Rush was a joy on PS Vita, too!

Does a Remote Play device that allows you to play more console games in the home capture the magical PS Vita energy? Or even the easy-going convertible Nintendo Switch energy? No, we don't think it will for any hoping for a Vita 2, if this turns out to be real. In any case, we are pumped about what this Q Lite could be — just so long as it isn't promoted as a Vita 2. What do you think of it though? Let us know in the comments, and you can be you'll see Sean, Lee and I in there with you.

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Written by Kes Eylers-Stephenson

Editor Kes is our resident expert in PlayStation and other gaming news. He writes about PS5 exclusives like The Last of Us and Horizon, PS Plus news, and his favorite games — The Witcher, Assassin’s Creed, and God of War — before an evening swim.