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Ever since the PlayStation Portal was released in 2023, I’ve held off on getting one. My main issue is that it’s literally just a portal, and not a fully-fledged handheld, as it requires a full tether to your PlayStation 5.

This past week, that changed. Now, cloud gaming is out of beta and live on the PlayStation Portal, drastically enhancing its functionality. Now, I might actually look into getting one, and I don’t think I’m alone.

Cloud Streaming Is Finally On PlayStation Portal

Now It’s Not Just Tethered To The PS5

After two long years, the PlayStation Portal finally supports cloud gaming. Now you can just boot up your device, connect to Wi-Fi, and play some cloud-based games, even without a PS5 to dial into with remote play. This is fantastic news, and something that Microsoft has already offered for years as part of its “Game Anywhere” initiative.

Now, there’s another big reason to pick up a PlayStation Portal, as it can potentially be used on the go with a strong Wi-Fi connection, and become an actual “traveling device” that doesn’t rely on you remoting to an expensive console. As portable gaming continues to evolve and shift with market trends, a self-contained device is becoming increasingly worthwhile to invest in.

Of course, there is a catch. You need the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription to partake, which isn’t cheap ($17.99 per month), and joins the rising cost of just about every subscription service that currently exists. But still, if you’re a PlayStation fan and this ticks all of those boxes, you can finally enjoy a Sony-branded portable without needing a PS5.

Hopefully, Sony continues to capitalize on the potential of the Portal, and keeps putting more offerings on their cloud service. While it might be a side project for the conglomerate, a lot of people have already taken to the charm of the Portal, and this could take it to the next level to potentially compete with some of their competitors’ offerings.

Portable Devices Are Really Taking Off Again

The Steam Deck Is Still Going Strong

As a hardcore portable gaming fan, it’s fantastic to see that the industry is showing more signs of life. After the 3DS and Vita were phased out, it looked a little dicey there, but with the rise of the PlayStation Portal, Steam Deck, and even the ROG Xbox Ally line, portable gaming is popular again in a big way.

I’m still undecided about the PlayStation Portal, but this new enhancement hasmade things a lot easier for me. Once I can grab it at the right price, I will. Many others are likely feeling the same way.

Brand Sony

Original Release Date November 15, 2023

Original MSRP (USD) $199.99

Operating System Android

VR Support No

Resolution 1080p