Best PS Portal games - 14 portable PS5 games for January 2025

The best PlayStation Portal games are our curated list of titles that use the PS5 portable accessory to the best effect — from Vampire Survivors to Astro Bot.

Best PS Portal games - 14 portable PS5 games for January 2025
Kes Eylers-Stephenson

Kes Eylers-Stephenson

Published

This is a list of the 14 best PlayStation Portal games available to play on the PS5 portable handheld accessory. This unique selection of PS5 and PS4 games brings out the best in the PS Portal and offers players a lean way to continue gaming away from the TV.

Best PlayStation Portal games, ranked

TrueTrophies Editor Kes, News Editor Lee, and Staff Writers Sean and Jamie used their collective experience with the PlayStation Portal to curate this list of games perfect for the device. These are a mix of PS5 and PS4 games that come recommended as they account for the PS Portal's smaller screen and potential network connection issues.

For this list, we'll be focusing on games that require less timing-specific inputs and will give you some room to pause in case your internet connection isn't super strong. So, with that in mind, here are the best PlayStation Portal games available right now.

SeanL

14. Disney Deamlight Valley

  • Here are the Disney Dreamlight Valley trophies
  • Time to platinum: 200+ hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 1/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? No, Disney Deamlight Valley hasn't been made available at any tier of PS Plus
If you’ve ever wanted that Animal Crossing experience from a PlayStation game, then Disney Dreamlight Valley is the title for you. It even feels like New Horizons when you play on the PS Portal.

You’ll be helping out all of your villagers, scavenging for materials, building a gorgeous place to live, investing in your town's future, and solving the mystery of the Night Thorns. Thankfully, you can do it all right in the palm of your hand thanks to the PlayStation Portal — and frankly, this is where it is best!

Lee

13. The Plucky Squire

  • Here are the The Plucky Squire trophies
  • Time to platinum: 10 hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 3/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? Yes, The Plucky Squire is available on PS Plus Extra
Following The Plucky Squire's PS5 update for October 2024, I think it's finally in a stable-enough state to recommend it for your PlayStation Portal!

This absorbing adventure game follows Jot, a storybook hero who finds himself kicked out of his own 2D storybook and forced to fight his way through the 3D world beyond. There's tons of clever tricks and puzzles here, with the player having to interact with the book world in unique and ingenius ways.

The Plucky Squire is also just a fun little Zelda-like adventure with breezy combat and lots of exploration. It's a perfect fit for players looking for something a little simpler that won't leaving you struggling to pick up on any tiny details or losing track of any demanding fights while playing on the PS Portal's smaller screen.

Lee

12. Stray

  • Here are the Stray trophies
  • Time to platinum: 8-10 hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 3/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? No, Stray is no longer available on PS Plus Extra
The great thing about cats is that they're usually rather chill beasts. That energy carries over to Stray, which is great because we want games on the PS Portal that aren't going to suffer from any input lag. Aside from the odd chase scene, this puzzle-platformer lets you leisurely roam around a post-apocalyptic world as a kitten, and that's delightful.

That relaxed pace makes it a great fit for the PS Portal, as you can unwind and enjoy searching for collectibles to unlock the platinum trophy. Check out Sean's Stray PS5 review to learn more about this memorable adventure.

Jamie

11. Infinity Nikki

  • Prepare yourself to be dazzled by Ability Outfits and work through two fairly serious grinds for these Infinity Nikki trophies
  • Time to platinum: 100+ hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 5/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? No, but it's free to download on PS5
Infinity Nikki is a hugely enjoyable cozy open-world game in which you must save the day. Playing as Nikki and her companion Momo, you'll explore distinct regions of a world where wishes are real, and the god responsible for granting them saved its followers from an apocalyptic event.

While the deep lore is fascinating, the bulk of this game is exploration, collecting Sketches and items for outfits to dress Nikki in, and grinding for resources. I've played most of my 40 hours in the game on the PS Portal because it looks fantastic on the smaller screen and being able to play anywhere has helped me smash through trophies more efficiently.

What I think makes Infinity Nikki perfect for PS Portal is the fact that you could just load up the game, roll its gacha banners for outfits, and find the prettiest combination to share with friends and other fans. It's a great game to get you away from doom-scrolling on your fun and feeling productive while warming up your PS5 and helping you earn the cutest trophies for your TrueTrophies profile.

Kes

10. Dredge

  • Here are the Dredge trophies
  • Time to platinum: 20 hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 2/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? Yes; PS Plus Extra
Dredge is the world's first horror fishing game — although I would say it's more horror-themed than scary. Crashing your boat on a small island, you'll end up fishing seas for both normal sea creatures and horrific eldritch creations. By day, you are relatively safe as you try to navigate your upgradable boat through glorious seas. By night, your fear will increase along with a low-key unsettling soundtrack as things get freaky.

Dredge is perfect for the PS Portal because it's chill but not in the sense that it's boring and repetitive (which seems to be the usual definition of a "chill game"). Being tucked up in bed for a few fishing sessions will get you caught up in the ambiance hook, line, and sinker. Having a 20-minute session while smashing out an eldritch creation of your own on the toilet will give you a great sense of progression. Dredge is seaworthy!

Lee

9. Persona 3 Reload

  • Here are the Persona 3 Reloadtrophies
  • Time to platinum: 60+ hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 3/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? No, Persona 3 Reload hasn't been made available at any tier of PS Plus
I have to admit: having my first Persona game be Persona 4 Golden on the PS Vita kind of messed me up with this series. I quickly fell in love with the series' dynamic turn-based combat and brilliant gameplay systems — school life by day and battling monsters by night. However, it set me up with the belief that all Persona games are best played on a handheld device.

Now that I've played Persona 3 Reload on a PlayStation Portal, I can confirm that this belief was correct. With its addictive dungeon-crawling sections and cool vibes, Persona 3 Reload is best played horizontally, making it perfect for the PlayStation Portal. It also has a story that doesn't advance until you tell it to and turn-based combat that will wait until your connection is stable enough to enjoy it, so it's the perfect JRPG for portable streaming.

Kes

8. Animal Well

  • Here are the Animal Well trophies
  • Time to platinum: 15 hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 3/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? Yes; PS Plus Extra
While I disagree with the notion that pixel art gaming on PS5 is a waste of time, if you are of that disposition then get your PlayStation Portal out and start playing Animal Well away from the TV. This superb PS1-styled roguelike is pretty much the perfect game. Built on discovering secrets as a blob through various dungeons, it's a tidy bit of notalgic gaming that we cannot recommend highly enough!

Lee

7. Balatro

  • Here are the Balatro trophies
  • Time to platinum: 70+ hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 7/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? No, Balatro hasn't been made available at any tier of PS Plus
Since card games often let you pause between turns and take your time making decisions, they make a great fit for the PlayStation Portal. Balatro gives you the security in not losing the game the moment your connection dies while also feeling like the next evolution in single-player card games.

At its most basic, this is a game about making poker hands. However, each hand gets mixed up with all sorts of wacky multipliers and rules, making the game feel unpredictable and exciting even when you're taking your time. Collect jokers, mix up the game, level up your poker hands with planet cards, and try to beat the biggest blind possible!

SeanL

6. Tomb Raider Remastered I-III

  • Here are the Tomb Raider Remastered I-III trophies for PS5, though the PS4 versions have different trophy lists for each game
  • Time to platinum: 50+ hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 7/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? No, Tomb Raider Remastered I-III hasn't been made available at any tier of PS Plus
Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered is the perfect game to jump into on the PlayStation Portal. Thanks to its fantastic puzzles, excellent platforming, and simple, yet engaging combat, the game plays like an absolute dream and feels right at home on the system.

I loved playing all three games on the PS Portal as it feels like I’m playing the classic games on a PSP (albeit on a much superior piece of kit)! Trophy hunting has also been so much fun to do on the Portal, particularly when so many of the trophy lists for these three Tomb Raider games can be tricky. I highly recommend Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered on PS Portal!

Lee

5. Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

  • Here are the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth trophies
  • Time to platinum: 150+ hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 8/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? No, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth hasn't been made available at any tier of PS Plus
While most AAA games have a little much going on to make for a good recommendation on the PS Portal, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is definitely the big exception. Thanks to this game's hybrid turn-based combat letting you pause the action to assess the next move, you've got plenty of time to wait out any lag on your handheld's connection before striking back.

If you've read my Final Fantasy VII Rebirth review, you'll know this game has a dense amount of side activities, so it's perfect for short bursts of handheld play. It also has the card game Queen's Blood included which feels tailor-made for PS Portal. Just note that you might have to switch to your PS5 briefly for the odd intense boss battle.

SeanL

4. Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth

  • Here are the Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth trophies
  • Time to platinum: 70+ hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 3/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? No, Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth hasn't been made available at any tier of PS Plus
Like A Dragon Infinite Wealth sees you switching between the long-time protagonist of the Yakuza series, Kazuma Kiryu, and the newcomer to the franchise, Ichiban Kasuga. Together the pair will embark on a dangerous journey that will have so many twists and turns your head will be spinning around like an owl.

Infinite Wealth takes a break from the traditional action-RPG formula and becomes a full-on turn-based RPG with improvements on the previous entry, Yakuza Like a Dragon. It’s a great mix-up for the series and it feels right at home when you play it on the PS Portal. Infinite Wealth is one of the best games I have played on the Portal and I highly recommend taking this saga to the small screen!

Lee

3. Astro Bot

  • Here are the Astro Bot trophies
  • Time to platinum: 15 hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 3/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? No, Astro Bot isn't on PS Plus yet
While none of us here at TrueTrophies can get behind playing big graphically intense PS5 games like Marvel's Spider-Man 2 or God of War Ragnarok on the PS Portal, we do think that the handheld would make a perfect companion for playing the wonderful Astro Bot.

While the motion controls might be a little bit trickier while using the PS Portal, the breezy platforming and clean visuals of Astro Bot make it an ideal fit for handheld play. The vast majority of the game focuses on leisurely exploring environments and messing around with fun power-ups, all of which are sure to transfer smoothly to the PS Portal without too many hiccups!

Kes

2. Returnal

  • Here are the Returnal trophies
  • Time to platinum: 60+ hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 7/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? Yes; PS Plus Extra
I'm a huge Returnal believer. From a top level, the roguelike features technically perfect game mechanics, an absorbing narrative, and a freaky atmosphere. From the lowest level, movement is flawless, progress is satisfying even when you only move forward one room, and everything is super readable.

So, from every point of view, getting Returnal going on a PlayStation Portal paints the perfect picture. It's addictive so you'll want to take it away from the screen. You can save mid-run in case of any accidents with WiFi. The action is so legible you won't struggle to understand what's happening on a smaller screen. Returnal is the kind of game that the PS Portal was made for.

Kes

1. Vampire Survivors

  • Here are the Vampire Survivors trophies
  • Time to platinum: 60+ hours
  • Trophy difficulty: 7/10
  • Is it on PS Plus? No, but Vampire Survivors' base price is only $4.99/£3.99/€4,99
If you've never had an addiction before, start one by playing Vampire Survivors! Arcade gaming and PS Portal go together like the gothic theme and video games, so developer Poncle's viral hit auto-shooting bullet hell is perfect for the device.

With only movement required from you, seeing yourself kill more and more enemies as you progress through tantalizing weapon upgrade trees is nothing short of a thrill. It's simple game design at its best, with a strongly Castlevania-themed (see: knock-off) art direction, a good soundtrack, and a wicked array of weapons — you're set wherever you go if you get Vampire Survivors on PS Portal!

Vampire Survivors is the best game for PlayStation Portal!

Some of these games feature on our best PS5 games, like Returnal and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. What do you think of our best game on PS Portal ranking? What has been your favorite game on the PS5 handheld? Let us know in the comments, TrueTrophies community!
Written by Kes Eylers-Stephenson
Editor-in-Chief Kes is our resident expert in PlayStation and Sony news. He writes about PS5 games like The Witcher IV, Assassin’s Creed Shadows, and Kingdom Come Deliverance II using experience from years of PlayStation gaming. He also covers PS Plus news and some of the best PS5 games — Uncharted, God of War, and The Last of Us — before an evening swim.
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