Hands On: PS Portal Is a Whole New Device with Cloud Streaming Update

by

The PS Portal is one of Sony’s biggest surprise hits.

This feature, launched in 2023, allows you to control your PS5 from anywhere you have internet access, and it’s been consistently updated and improved since then.

The latest, and potentially greatest, is the ability to stream games that are in your PS5 library.

Previously, PlayStation Portal users had access to a limited number of games from the PS Plus Premium library to stream.

While there were around 200 games to play, the selection was limited to what was currently offered on the service, and that changes every month.

Watch on YouTube

Subscribe to Push Square on YouTube165k

The newest update dramatically expands what the Portal can do: users can now stream any PlayStation 5 game they own, unlocking its full potential.

Like before, you need the most expensive PlayStation Plus Premium subscription (£119.99/year or $159.99/year) to use the Portal’s cloud streaming feature.

This is a surprisingly big improvement for Portal users. Now, you can stream hundreds more games on the device with just an internet connection.

Honestly, the best part is how smoothly it all works between devices. I started playing Resident Evil 4 on the Steam Deck, and it just continued exactly where I’d stopped on my PlayStation 5, even though it had been months! It’s awesome.

This update introduces a redesigned menu that makes it easier to find what you’re looking for. You can now quickly access recently played games, as well as organize all your games into folders, whether they’re from the PS Plus Premium catalog or games you own.

Starting up games is generally easy and doesn’t take too long. While it’s not immediate, players can expect to wait around 30 seconds to a minute before they can start playing.

It’s very similar to starting cloud gaming on a PS5, and your internet speed will affect the experience.

It took 43 seconds to launch Dragon Age: The Veilguard and start playing after selecting the game, and only 35 seconds to reach the main menu.

The streaming quality is still excellent. The Portal can handle games at 1080p resolution and up to 60 frames per second, just like playing locally. If your internet connection isn’t strong enough, you can switch to 720p for a smoother experience.

I really like the 8-inch screen on this thing. It’s a great size for handheld gaming, and the picture is super clear and bright. Honestly, an OLED screen would be amazing, but this one works really well for me and I think most players will be happy with it.

We experienced some delay between our actions and what appeared on screen – this is called input lag. It’s a common problem with cloud gaming, so we’d still be careful about choosing which games to play on the Portal.

When we started playing Black Myth: Wukong, the combat felt a little difficult because we’re used to monitors with very fast response times. This might not bother all players, but we definitely noticed it.

If you’ve already been using Portal through cloud streaming or remote play, this won’t be new to you. We mentioned in our initial review that this setup isn’t ideal for fast-paced, action-packed games like first-person shooters.

The Portal has traditionally focused on more relaxed gameplay, but this update expands your options beyond what’s available in the PlayStation Premium subscription.

When this device first came out, we thought it was good, but only for a specific group of gamers. However, it’s improved a lot since then and is now better than ever. You can even use it without a PlayStation 5 now!

While it’s frustrating that you need a PS Plus Premium subscription to stream it, this release gives Portal a fresh wave of popularity. It’s definitely one of the highlights on the PS5.

Read More

2025-11-10 20:37