According to IGN, Sony is ramping up PlayStation Portal capabilities starting today with cloud streaming that doesn’t require connection to a PS5 console. PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers can now stream over 2,800 games including major titles like Grand Theft Auto 5, Borderlands 4, and Ghost of Yōtei. The feature has been in beta testing for almost a year but officially launches now with new capabilities including 3D Audio Support, passcode lock, and in-game purchase functionality. The $199 handheld device comes in white or black colors and represents Sony’s answer to Nintendo’s handheld success.
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This changes everything for Portal owners
Here’s the thing – the PlayStation Portal was always a bit of a niche product. You needed to own a PS5, be within your home network, and basically use it as a fancy remote play device. Now? It’s suddenly a legitimate cloud gaming handheld that can go anywhere with a decent Wi-Fi connection. That’s a massive upgrade for people who already dropped $200 on the device.
And let’s talk about that game library – over 2,800 titles is nothing to sneeze at. We’re talking about everything from recent blockbusters to classic PlayStation games. The fact that you can stream something like God of War Ragnarök or Cyberpunk 2077 without needing the console running at home? That’s genuinely useful. It turns the Portal from a luxury accessory into something that might actually justify its price tag.
The local multiplayer angle is clever
What really caught my eye was Sony highlighting how you can play with a friend who’s using your main TV setup. Basically, one person streams via Portal while another plays locally on the PS5. That’s actually a pretty smart way to handle local multiplayer without needing multiple consoles or split-screen compromises.
Think about it – you’re not fighting over the TV anymore. Someone can be watching Netflix while you’re gaming on the Portal, or you can have two people playing different games simultaneously. It’s one of those features that seems obvious in retrospect but could genuinely change how households use their gaming setup.
Sony playing catch-up in cloud gaming
Let’s be real though – cloud gaming isn’t exactly new. Microsoft’s xCloud has been doing this for years, and NVIDIA GeForce Now has built a solid reputation. Sony is definitely playing catch-up here, but they’re doing it with their massive first-party library and existing PlayStation ecosystem.
The timing is interesting too – right as Nintendo’s Switch 2 rumors are heating up. Sony clearly doesn’t want to be left behind in the handheld space, even if the Portal is technically just a streaming device. They’re making their hardware play without committing to a full portable console. Smart move? Maybe. But it does make you wonder if they’re testing the waters for something more substantial down the line.
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Is it actually worth $199 now?
So here’s the big question – does this make the PlayStation Portal worth buying? Before today, I’d have said probably not unless you were really committed to remote play. Now? It’s suddenly a much more compelling proposition.
You’re getting access to that massive game catalog without needing to keep your PS5 running, plus all the local multiplayer and TV-sharing benefits. The new features like 3D audio and game invites show Sony is serious about making this a proper platform. Is it perfect? No – you still need that Premium subscription and solid internet. But it’s definitely moved from “nice to have” to “actually useful.” What do you think – would you pick one up now?
