Sony's PlayStation Portal, once seen as a limited remote play device for PS5 gamers with reliable internet connections, has taken another significant step forward. Effective immediately, subscribers to the premium tier of Sony's subscription service, PS Plus Premium, can now stream select digital games from their own library directly to the device via cloud streaming.
In theory, users were already able to play compatible games remotely on the Portal through their PS5 without the need for a stable internet connection. However, with this latest update, Portal owners can enjoy seamless streaming of select titles they already own, including popular games like "Astro Bot," "Borderlands 4," and "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth." These titles are among thousands supported by the service at launch.
While some games from the library may also be playable through cloud streams, newer first-party titles like those mentioned above weren't included. It remains to be seen how this new feature will benefit users with existing game libraries on their PS5 consoles.
What's notable is that this development brings the Portal closer to becoming a dedicated handheld device for gaming. Although it still requires a decent internet connection to ensure quality streaming, its capabilities have increased significantly since its initial launch.
Beyond gameplay features, Sony has also updated the Portal with additional functionalities. A new home screen now includes a search tab for quickly finding games available on the cloud, and users can enjoy 3D audio support when playing supported titles using wired headphones or specific headsets. Furthermore, there's a new passcode lock feature to enhance security.
Lastly, Sony has introduced features that allow users to make in-game purchases during streaming sessions without leaving the game, as well as join their friend's game from the Quick menu if they're also streaming the same title.
While a dedicated native PlayStation handheld remains a dream for some, the PlayStation Portal is now more appealing than ever. With these updates and its growing capabilities, it seems Sony is committed to bridging the gap between its current offerings and future devices that could potentially rival dedicated gaming consoles like the ROG Xbox Ally X.
In theory, users were already able to play compatible games remotely on the Portal through their PS5 without the need for a stable internet connection. However, with this latest update, Portal owners can enjoy seamless streaming of select titles they already own, including popular games like "Astro Bot," "Borderlands 4," and "Final Fantasy VII Rebirth." These titles are among thousands supported by the service at launch.
While some games from the library may also be playable through cloud streams, newer first-party titles like those mentioned above weren't included. It remains to be seen how this new feature will benefit users with existing game libraries on their PS5 consoles.
What's notable is that this development brings the Portal closer to becoming a dedicated handheld device for gaming. Although it still requires a decent internet connection to ensure quality streaming, its capabilities have increased significantly since its initial launch.
Beyond gameplay features, Sony has also updated the Portal with additional functionalities. A new home screen now includes a search tab for quickly finding games available on the cloud, and users can enjoy 3D audio support when playing supported titles using wired headphones or specific headsets. Furthermore, there's a new passcode lock feature to enhance security.
Lastly, Sony has introduced features that allow users to make in-game purchases during streaming sessions without leaving the game, as well as join their friend's game from the Quick menu if they're also streaming the same title.
While a dedicated native PlayStation handheld remains a dream for some, the PlayStation Portal is now more appealing than ever. With these updates and its growing capabilities, it seems Sony is committed to bridging the gap between its current offerings and future devices that could potentially rival dedicated gaming consoles like the ROG Xbox Ally X.
! streaming games from my own library directly to the device without an internet connection is literally a dream come true 
. I've been using it for ps5 gaming and while it was cool, this new feature takes it to a whole new level 
. can't wait to try out "Astro Bot" and "Borderlands 4" on my portal 
. the fact that they're adding more features like search tab, 3d audio support and passcode lock is also super cool 
. I mean, who doesn't want to buy in-game stuff while streaming or join friends' games easily? 
this thing is getting closer to being a real handheld console and I'm hyped to see where Sony takes it next 
! And can we talk about the new 3D audio support? It's gonna take my gaming experience to the next level 
. But what I think is really interesting is how this update is making me wonder if I even need a PS5 anymore 
. The Portal just got way more appealing, and I can see why Sony wants to bridge that gap between their current offerings and future devices...
, no need for a stable internet connection just decent wifi... portal's getting there 
. I'm not sure about this streaming feature though, it sounds like it could be kinda tricky to get working smoothly, especially if your internet connection is sketchy. But hey, at least they've added some new features that'll make it more user-friendly, like the search tab and 3D audio support 
.
It's still a dream for some of us, but maybe one day we'll see something that rivals those fancy Xbox Ally X devices 
.
i mean, what's next? 
. If Sony can iron out those issues, I might be more on board with the Portal. But for now, I'm just gonna wait and see how it plays out 