The PlayStation Portal has limited features compared with other handheld gaming devices. It mainly lets you play games from your PlayStation 5 in portable mode. After its release, Sony added cloud gaming support. This feature lets you play some games without having them installed on your console.
How Does Cloud Gaming Work On The PlayStation Portal?
The Upgrade Lets Users Stream Games Directly From The Cloud
On November 19, 2024, Sony released a new firmware update for the PlayStation Portal. The update added cloud streaming to the device.
This change opened the Portal to more players. You no longer need a PlayStation 5 to use cloud streaming. However, there is one important requirement. Players need a PS Plus Premium subscription to stream games from the cloud.
PS Plus Premium is the most expensive membership option. Even with this subscription, you cannot stream every game. Only selected titles support cloud streaming. Thankfully, Sony has added more games to the service. Portal players can now try several new titles.
The PS Portal Was Originally Designed To Stream Games From A PlayStation 5
According to the official PlayStation site, you need a stable internet connection for cloud streaming. Streaming games at 720p requires a minimum speed of 7 Mbps. For 1080p gaming, you need at least 13 Mbps.
Some features are not available during cloud streaming. These include game trials, voice chat, and in-game purchases. You also cannot stream PS4 or PS3 titles through the Portal.
The update also brings several audio improvements. It lowers the minimum volume level and lets you change PlayStation Link device settings directly from the Portal. These changes can make the gaming experience smoother and more flexible.
The latest update gives the Portal more features and makes it more useful. Cloud streaming also gives players access to more games while they are away from home.
A New Game To Stream
On February 18, Sony announced nine new titles for PS Plus Extra and Premium. Eight of the nine games support streaming through PS Plus Premium.
The new titles include major hits such as Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, Top Spin 2K25, and Mordhau. Players can also stream classic games such as Patapon 3 and Dropship: United Peace Force.
Other new additions include Tin Hearts, Somerville, and Lost Record: Bloom & Rage Tape 1. These games may not remain on the service forever. However, PS Plus Premium subscribers can currently stream them through the Portal.
These new games arrived just days after the latest State of Play event in February 2025. Sony made several other announcements during the event. The company ended the presentation with a cinematic video for Saros, a new game from Returnal developer Housemarque.
