PlayStation Portal Update Allows Users to Play Some Games Without a PS5, But There’s a Catch

PlayStation Portal Update Allows Users to Play Some Games Without a PS5, But There's a Catch

Key Takeaways

  • PlayStation Portal now supports cloud streaming for select PS5 games in beta, no console needed.
  • Update allows users to stream over 120 PS5 games from PlayStation Plus Game Catalog.
  • To access cloud streaming, users need Wi-Fi connection with minimum 5Mbps speed and a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.



The PlayStation Portal has received a new system update that adds support for cloud streaming for select PS5 games, but the feature itself is still in beta. At launch, the PlayStation Portal allowed users to stream their PlayStation 5 games directly to the handheld device from anywhere in the world, as long as both devices had a stable internet connection. Now, thanks to the handheld device’s latest update, fans can stream certain games straight to the Portal without the need for a PS5 console, but a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription is required.

Unfortunately, Sony’s latest handheld device doesn’t allow users to play games natively like the good old days of the PlayStation Portable. But it didn’t take long for engineers to hack the PlayStation Portal and play PSP games without the need for a PlayStation 5. Although Sony has since patched the hack, the Portal is about to become a whole lot more enticing thanks to a new system update that adds a highly requested cloud streaming feature.


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PlayStation Portal Update Adds Cloud Streaming

While the PlayStation Portal has been a financial success for Sony, a common critique of the device has been that it only allows users to stream directly from their PlayStation 5 console, instead of from the cloud. Now, thanks to a new system update on November 19 (users in Europe are set to receive the update on November 20), owners of the PlayStation Portal will be able to stream select PS5 games without the need for a console, according to a new PlayStation blog post. However, there is a catch. As these games come directly from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, users will need to be subscribed to the subscription service’s Premium tier, which allows users to stream a plethora of games directly from PlayStation’s servers.


The PlayStation Portal has received various updates since its release, but the most recent one is sure to be its biggest yet. According to Sony, users will be able to stream over 120 PS5 games from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, including Marvel’s Spider-Man, Ghost of Tsushima, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and many more. The new cloud streaming feature will support up to 1080p at 60 FPS with all of the usual DualSense controller features, such as haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, motion sensor, touchpad, and more.

For those who want to make use of PlayStation Plus Premium’s cloud streaming on the PlayStation Portal, users will need a Wi-Fi connection with a minimum of 5Mbps upload and download speed, as well as a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription. To access the beta feature, simply update the PlayStation Portal to the latest system software, open the “Quick Menu” and navigate to “Settings.” From here, select the “Cloud Streaming (Beta)” option and turn the feature on. A new option will then appear on the home screen of the PlayStation Portal that allows the user to access games via cloud streaming.


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