PlayStation Introduces Cloud Gaming for Portal Users
PlayStation Portal users can now access cloud gaming, but the feature comes with a catch — it requires a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.
Overview of the PlayStation Portal
The PlayStation Portal, Sony’s handheld console, has struggled to find a broad audience since its release. Only around 3% of PlayStation 5 owners had purchased one by last summer. The device primarily relies on an existing PlayStation 5 console and streams games directly to its screen, making it far from a fully standalone system.
New Cloud Gaming Capability
Sony announced that PlayStation Portal users can now take advantage of cloud gaming, allowing them to play select digital PS5 titles from their own library without needing to be connected to their console. Cloud streaming is available through PlayStation Plus Premium, providing greater flexibility for gaming anywhere.
Sony stated that the update enables “select digital PS5 games from their own library” to be played via cloud streaming.
Subscription Requirement
The new feature, however, is reserved for PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers — Sony’s top-tier service priced at $17.99 per month or $159.99 annually. While this may deter some users, existing subscribers gain a valuable upgrade that transforms the Portal into more than just a remote display.
Market Context
The addition seems motivated by the popularity of devices like the Steam Deck, whose portability set a high bar for handheld gaming. Sony’s move aims to make the Portal a more appealing competitor by increasing its mobility and independence through cloud support.
Author’s summary: Sony adds cloud gaming to the PlayStation Portal, but only Premium subscribers can use it, aiming to boost appeal in a tough handheld market.