New PS Portal update adds console-free cloud streaming

The latest update from Sony surprisingly good PlayStation Portal adds the feature that people have been waiting for even before the portable gaming device launched last year. Starting today, PS Plus subscribers can now stream select PS5 games via the cloud to their PS Portal sans console.

A year ago we got our hands on the PS portal and while it looks weird, it's nice to use and is a great device that lets people play PS5 games anywhere in their home via Wi-Fi. The device, which costs $200, works wonderfully, and is quietly one of the best things Sony has made in a while. However, the Portal's one big flaw was that, for some unknown reason, it couldn't stream games from the cloud. You have to own a PS5, and when you used the Portal, your PS5 would turn on and play your game remotely. This meant that the PS Portal was more of an accessory than a console. But that changes today.

On November 19, PlayStation released the latest update for the PS Portal and although it adds some quality of life improvements regarding sound settings, the real news is that from today players can play a selection of PS5 games via the cloud and without console. In theory, you can now play PS5 games while you're on the go, as long as you have a wifi connection.

Sony says that more than 120 PS5 games included in the PS Plus games catalog can be streamed on PS Portal after today's update. Games include Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Monster Hunter Rise, The Ghost of Tsushima, et Dave the Diver.

How to Stream Cloud Games to Your PS Portal

To start streaming PS5 games to your PS Portal without a console, you will need an active PS Plus Premium subscription, then you will need to download the update and follow these steps:

1. Open the “Quick Menu” and go to “Settings” on your PS Portal.
2. Select the “Cloud Streaming (Beta)” button
3. Enable the Cloud Streaming (beta) button (it will be disabled by default).

For now, Sony is calling this a beta test and not all features, like the capture button and party chat, will be supported in these games streaming on Portal. Likewise, Sony currently does not support PS2, PS3 or PS4 games or purchased PSN games.

Hopefully, after testing and further updates, Sony will expand support and turn the PS Portal into a PlayStation streaming device capable of playing all the classic games added to the catalog each month as well as the games you own. This would make me rush out to buy one PS Portal.

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