Sony Transforms PlayStation Portal with New Cloud Gaming Feature

In a surprising development, Sony has significantly enhanced its PlayStation Portal by introducing cloud gaming capabilities. This new innovation allows users to stream games directly from Sony’s PlayStation Now service, eliminating the previous requirement to be tethered to a PlayStation 5 (PS5) console. This update effectively breathes new life into the device, broadening its range of functionality.

Matt Kim, IGN‘s Senior Features Editor, expressed his initial disappointment with the device, particularly due to its reliance on a physical PS5 connection and lack of onboard storage. However, this update has changed his perspective. “Honestly, I can’t stress how impressed I am that Sony has given new life to a device I haven’t had the best experience with until this point,” Kim remarked.

The beta version of this feature is now available, accessible to any Portal owner who downloads the latest firmware update. Once updated, users can choose to connect their Portal directly to Sony’s cloud servers, granting them access to a library of over 120 games including blockbuster titles such as ‘Ghost of Tsushima,’ ‘Resident Evil 3 Remake,’ ‘The Last of Us Part 1 Remastered,’ and ‘Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.’

This advancement necessitates a subscription to the highest tier of PlayStation Plus, costing approximately $18 per month or $160 annually in the United States. Despite the added cost, this is seen as an attractive alternative to the substantial upfront investment generally associated with purchasing a console.

Cloud gaming itself is not a novel concept, with both Google Stadia and Xbox’s xCloud services having paved the way in this domain. While PlayStation Portal’s current game catalog may not yet rival that of Xbox Game Pass, Kim appreciates the boldness of Sony’s approach to enhancing existing technology without the need for new hardware releases.

“The real game changer here is that this update literally turned PlayStation Portal from one thing into another,” noted Kim, highlighting the unique value this kind of technological upgrade adds to consumer experiences.