Competitor research is essential to any sales strategy. Consoles are no exception and a PlayStation survey focuses on the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement. Well-known leaker eXtas1s shared a copy of the questionnaire on X. Sony asked which Switch 2 specs interest customers and if they approve of Nintendo’s pre-order strategy. Now, there is speculation that the survey may impact a new PlayStation handheld.
Some of Sony’s questions gauge overall interest in Nintendo’s upcoming handheld. Others try to discover which new Switch 2 features might lure gamers to the PlayStation rival. The survey also touches on the pre-order requirements for reserving a system from Nintendo. Buyers must register on the company’s store site, with priority given to long-term Nintendo Switch Online members. Scalpers have been a problem for all console manufacturers, so Sony could be considering a similar approach in the future.
The gaming handheld market has become increasingly competitive. Microsoft has pivoted to become a cross-platform publisher, but it hasn’t given up on hardware. Asus recently teased Project Kennan, a Windows handheld which could sport an Xbox UI. Sony has the PlayStation Portal, but it emphasizes streaming titles from the PS5 and cloud gaming. Some gamers believe the survey justifies rumors of a new PlayStation handheld.
If the timing of its past new consoles repeats, Sony’s PS6 could arrive as soon as 2027. Still, most analysts believe that the system will not be portable. However, in November 2024, Bloomberg revealed that Sony was simultaneously developing a handheld. The machine would offer a PS5-like gaming experience in a compact form factor.
Any new PlayStation handheld is likely years away, so Nintendo and Microsoft may have an advantage by then. Still, the recent Switch 2 announcement survey could help Sony avoid the pitfalls of past console launches.
I became interested in technology at a young age and enjoyed discovering the latest innovations. While earning college degrees in publishing, I created several PC hardware and gaming websites. My passion has always been to guide readers on what products can truly improve their lives. After many years as a Tech Writer for Game Rant, I’m anxious to share my knowledge with a new audience at Notebookcheck.
