Cloud Gaming Has Finally Officially Appeared on the PlayStation Portal.
Finally, two years after its release and a year-long beta , the PlayStation Plus portable console can officially play games without first connecting to a PS5. Strictly speaking, the portable console can’t play all games on its own, requiring a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, but the latest system update brings PlayStation Portal significantly closer to being a full-fledged successor to the PSP.
The news broke this morning on the official PlayStation blog , where Sony announced that cloud streaming for PS Portal will soon be officially available to all compatible subscription users. This comes just under a year after testing began with an optional beta. This means the device can finally work untethered from a console, without any additional configuration.
This is a breath of fresh air for Portal, which received negative reviews after its 2023 release due to its limited power and portability. While previous Sony portable consoles, such as the PSP and PS Vita, could play games independently, without an internet connection, at launch, PS Portal could only be played remotely by connecting to the PS5, something gamers could already do on other devices, such as mobile phones .
This seriously limited the device’s functionality, effectively turning it into an accessory rather than a standalone console. After today’s update, it still requires an internet connection, but the portable device has become much more useful as a standalone device.
How to upload a game to the cloud on PlayStation Portal
Starting at 6:00 PM PT today, November 5th, Sony will begin rolling out the update. Once it’s on your device, you’ll see a new user interface. If you haven’t yet participated in the beta, it will add the ability to select the cloud icon in the upper left corner of your device. Tap it, and if you have a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, you’ll be taken to a completely new menu (new even for beta users) displaying all cloud-compatible games, both from your own games and from your PlayStation Plus library. Select one, and you’ll be connected directly to Sony’s servers, where you can start playing without using your home console.
It’s not a perfect solution, but Sony advertises it as a way to play their games “even when your home PS5 console is off or in use by another account.” Personally, I’d like to point out that it’s now technically possible to buy Portal without having to buy a PS5, and play it entirely through the cloud, rather than using a console and Remote Play. Portal costs $200, which is half the price of a PS5 , so you’ll save a fair amount on the initial outlay.
Still not the perfect portable solution
However, there are still some drawbacks. While cloud connectivity eliminates the need to connect to the PS5 for remote play, it still won’t allow you to play in places without a reliable high-speed internet connection, such as on a plane. Furthermore, it can introduce input lag, making it a poor choice for competitive gaming. Visuals may appear compressed depending on your internet speed, and only some games are available via the cloud (though hundreds are already compatible ).
However, the biggest drawback is the mandatory PlayStation Plus Premium subscription . It costs $18 per month. Whether it’s worth connecting to the console via Remote Play is up to you.
On the plus side, Sony promises improved support for public Wi-Fi networks in Portal, which should make playing in coffee shops or hotels more comfortable. Cloud gaming also provides access to features that weren’t available in the beta, such as in-game purchases, multiplayer invites, and new features like narration. Beyond cloud gaming, the new update also adds support for 3D audio in PS Portal as a whole, provided you use wired headphones or Sony’s Pulse in-ear headphones/ headset .
Sure, it’s still a stopgap compared to a fully standalone device that can run its own games instead of streaming them (like the Nintendo Switch 2 ), but if you’re a Sony gamer who misses being able to play on the go, the PS Portal should now be able to bring back some of those fond PSP memories – provided you’re in a place with good Wi-Fi.