In an exciting development for gamers, Sony has finally evolved the PlayStation Portal from a mere remote-play tablet, paired with a PS5 DualSense controller, into a robust cloud-streaming device. Following a latest update, PlayStation Plus subscribers can now stream PS5 games directly from the internet—a feature that avid gamers have long awaited.

This transformative update began rolling out to users late last week, with Sony clarifying that the feature is still in beta testing. However, any subscriber to PlayStation Plus Premium—costing $18 per month or $160 annually—can access the streaming catalog, even without owning a PlayStation 5. With a stable internet connection, games can be streamed on the Portal at impressive resolutions of 1080p and 60 FPS, eliminating the need for a direct WiFi connection to the PlayStation 5.

In addition, PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers enjoy 100 GB of cloud storage for their game saves, with Sony promising synchronization between the Portal and PS5. To achieve optimal streaming, users are advised to have minimum internet speeds of 7 Mbps for 720p streaming and 13 Mbps for 1080p. As always, the faster your internet connection, the more seamless your gaming experience will be. To access this new feature, users must manually enable it within the Settings by selecting the Cloud Streaming (Beta) option.

For those looking to dive into PlayStation gaming without the hefty price tag of a PS5 (around $500) or the even pricier PS5 Pro (approximately $700), the $200 PlayStation Portal combined with a $160 PlayStation Plus Premium subscription becomes an attractive option. However, it's important to note that currently available titles for streaming remain limited—over 120 titles are offered, but many recent popular games such as Spider-Man 2 or Astro Bot are conspicuously absent. Moreover, users are unable to stream digital games they have already purchased from the PlayStation Store or access any game trials.

Perhaps the most glaring oversight is the inability to play any PS4 or PS3 titles from the Classics collection via the new streaming option. This limitation feels like a significant missed opportunity for both Sony and its users. While there’s hope that these restrictions may be lifted in the future, for now, recent Portal owners can now at least utilize their devices for cloud gaming.

The timing of this update is crucial, considering the current momentum in the handheld gaming market. Devices like the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go, and Asus ROG Ally X have captured the attention of gamers looking for portability without compromising performance. With Nintendo gearing up for the highly anticipated Switch 2, it raises the question of whether Sony has lagged in this new gaming frontier.

Meanwhile, Xbox head Phil Spencer hinted at their own handheld developments, confirming that Microsoft is exploring designs for an Xbox handheld. However, he cautioned that any actual product launch is likely years away, leaving Sony with the opportunity to solidify its position in this space. As the gaming landscape continues to shift, the effectiveness and viability of the PlayStation Portal remains to be seen, but the potential for streamlined, portable gaming is undeniably thrilling.