Cloud streaming is now officially available on the PS Portal, allowing users to play games without connecting to a PS5. This feature was announced earlier today by the official PlayStation blog.
The latest system update makes the PS Portal closer to a true successor of the PSP. To utilize this feature, a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription is required, but no additional setup is necessary. The device can now operate untethered from a console, after a testing period that began nearly a year ago.
Launched in 2023, the PS Portal initially received criticism for its limited power and portability. Unlike earlier Sony handhelds such as the PSP and PS Vita, which could play games independently offline, the PS Portal originally required a remote connection to a PS5. This limitation reduced the device's overall usefulness, making it primarily an accessory rather than a standalone console.
PlayStation Portal now supports cloud gaming independently of a PS5, enhancing its role as a portable gaming device, but still requires a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.