Last Updated on Oct 7, 2025 @ 13:22:25 PM.
The PlayStation Portal is about to receive an exciting update that will make the gaming community reconsider the value of the remote player. Initially, Sony Interactive Entertainment released the new handheld device as an accessory to the present PS5 family and as an option for players to stream their games with a stable internet connection; however, the Portal is being held back from its true potential.
While it was exciting to have a new option to play PlayStation 5 games away from the traditional set-up, some fans had high hopes for the PlayStation Portal. It may have sold well in certain regions like the United Kingdom, but this new update could improve its value even more by providing a highly demanded feature that should have been available on launch day.
Cloud Streaming Is Finally Coming to the PlayStation Portal
A new era of handheld gaming devices has been ushered in, and can be greatly credited to the success of the Nintendo Switch. Gaming companies started working on portable gaming devices since then, and it would make sense for Sony and PlayStation to grab their slice of the pie.
Unfortunately, the Portal has received a mixed reception since it was released last year, and players must have their PS5 on at all times with a stable connection for a smooth experience, limiting the device’s capabilities. A few days before celebrating the first anniversary of the Portal, Sony announced a new update that features cloud-streaming for PS+ Premium members, a highly demanded feature from fans.
Although this feature is still in the beta phase, this new update could convince players who were hesitant about grabbing a Portal. It is worth mentioning that players must have an active PlayStation Plus subscription to access the Game Catalog and a stable internet connection.
The days of waiting for a dedicated PlayStation handheld that can play current-generation games without being tethered to a console may finally be over; however, as long as players are willing to pay the steep price of a premium subscription for cloud streaming.
UPDATE: Since this article was published, the PlayStation Portal has continued to update its firmware, offering more usage, more variety, and a better, more stable product. Cloud Streaming largely put an end to the criticisms of needing to be in the same area as your PlayStation 5, and fans have responded well, it seems.
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Rouvin Josef Quirimit is a Content Writer, an avid gamer (on his PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch), and film enthusiast. He was fortunate to grow up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and was enamored by the storytelling of a shared universe full of heart and spectacle. His love for movies led him to great single-player games and he intends to cover major franchises for years to come!
