Solana Launches Handheld Gaming Console

Play Solana Prepares for October Launch

Solana is stepping further into consumer hardware with the announcement of its first handheld gaming console, the Play Solana Gen 1 (PSG1). The device will begin shipping on October 6, 2025, marking the ecosystem’s boldest push yet into Web3-focused entertainment. 

The PSG1 features an octa-core ARM processor, 8GB of RAM, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a touch LCD display. What sets it apart, however, is its integrated hardware wallet and fingerprint authentication, giving gamers the ability to securely store crypto assets while playing.

To build hype, Play Solana also released a limited NFT collection of 2,000 units, giving holders early access and exclusive perks across the ecosystem.

Solana’s Expanding Hardware Ambitions

The PSG1 launch follows Solana’s growing appetite for consumer-facing devices. In 2022, Solana Mobile introduced the Saga smartphone, an Android-based, blockchain-focused device offering tools like Seed Vault and a DApp store. 

Though the Saga had a rocky reception, it turned into a cult hit in 2023, with devices reselling for as much as $5,000 on eBay thanks to a BONK memecoin airdrop included with the original $599 purchase price.

In 2024, Solana unveiled its second-generation smartphone, promising it would no longer be just a “memecoin phone.” By 2025, its new Seeker phone had racked up 150,000 pre-orders, generating an estimated $67.5 million in revenue and shipping to over 50 countries.

Web3 Meets Handheld Gaming

With PSG1, Solana is betting big on gaming as the next frontier for Web3 adoption. The console’s hybrid approach of gaming specs and crypto-native tools makes it one of the first handhelds to blend blockchain features directly into gameplay. 

The move also places Solana in competition with other blockchain ecosystems exploring gaming hardware. In 2024, Sui creator Mysten Labs announced the SuiPlay0X1, a handheld gaming device tied to the Sui blockchain, set for release in the first half of 2025.

Industry Reactions and Market Impact

Play Solana has not yet revealed a retail price for the PSG1, but industry watchers expect the console to attract both crypto enthusiasts and gamers looking for unique Web3 integrations.

By combining gaming-ready hardware with built-in crypto functions, Solana is signaling its intent to be more than just a blockchain—it wants to be a consumer tech brand.