In 2025, Sony continues to focus on high-quality exclusives for the PS5, despite the trend of multiplatform releases, and has enhanced its ecosystem with the PlayStation Portal, a device that allows cloud streaming and portable gameplay for over 2,000 games, making it a significant addition for PlayStation users.
The gaming handheld market is experiencing a resurgence with new, powerful, and expensive devices from Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, including the Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, Xbox ROG Ally, and PlayStation Portal, catering to different gaming preferences and budgets, while retro handhelds appeal to nostalgia enthusiasts.
A Reddit user shared a useful Wi-Fi trick for PS5 owners with Wi-Fi 6e routers, suggesting setting the PS5 to only use the 6GHz network to improve download speeds and remote play quality, especially when using the PlayStation Portal device.
Sony's PlayStation Portal has received a major update that enhances navigation, enables instant in-game purchases, and improves overall performance, making it a more versatile handheld for PS5 gamers on the go, despite some ongoing issues with cloud access and Wi-Fi dependency.
Sony's PlayStation Portal has seen continuous updates that expand its game library and features, but it remains a streaming-only device heavily dependent on high-speed internet, which limits its portability and effectiveness. The article argues that Sony needs to develop a dedicated, native handheld console—similar to Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck—to truly compete in the portable gaming market, especially as the current cloud-based approach faces significant connectivity challenges.
The PlayStation Portal is still available at various retailers with a $20 discount during PlayStation's ongoing Black Friday sale, making it a good deal for PS5 remote play enthusiasts, especially with recent cloud streaming capabilities and positive reviews. The sale also includes discounts on PlayStation Plus memberships and other gaming products.
Sony has added cloud gaming support to its PlayStation Portal handheld, allowing users to stream select PS5 games and access a catalog via PlayStation Plus, but only with a $17.99/month PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.
PlayStation has officially launched cloud streaming on the PlayStation Portal, allowing PS Plus Premium members to stream thousands of PS5 and compatible games directly from the cloud, along with new features like 3D audio, accessibility options, and multiplayer support.
During Amazon Prime Day, the used 'Like New' PlayStation Portal, a remote gaming device for PS5, is discounted to $124.12, making it an attractive deal for gamers. The Portal allows streaming PS5 games via Wi-Fi or directly from Sony's cloud service, with features similar to the DualSense controller, and now supports cloud streaming without a PS5. This deal offers a cost-effective way to enhance PS5 gaming, especially for those interested in portable gaming options.
Sony is reportedly in the early stages of developing a fully portable console capable of playing PlayStation 5 games, though it is likely years from launch. This follows the release of the PlayStation Portal, a device for streaming PS5 games locally and from Sony's servers. The move comes amid rumors of a similar portable console from Microsoft and ahead of Nintendo's anticipated Switch successor. Sony's previous portable ventures, the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita, faced stiff competition from Nintendo's handhelds.
Sony is reportedly developing a new handheld gaming system that would serve as a portable version of the PS5, potentially competing with Nintendo's Switch 2 and Valve's Steam Deck. While the project is still in early stages and may not reach the market, it marks Sony's potential return to the handheld market since the PS Vita. The device, initially planned to be similar to the Steam Deck, now features a cloud-streaming beta for PS Plus Premium members, allowing gameplay without a PS5 console.
Sony has updated the PlayStation Portal to function as a cloud-streaming device, allowing PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers to stream a limited catalog of PS5 games without needing a PS5 console. This update, still in beta, requires a solid internet connection for optimal performance. Despite the new functionality, the Portal has limitations, such as the inability to stream PS4 or PS3 games and a restricted game library. This move comes as Sony attempts to compete in the growing handheld gaming market, where devices like the Steam Deck and Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 are gaining traction.
Sony's PlayStation Portal now supports cloud gaming, allowing users to stream over 120 PS5 games without owning a PS5 console. This feature is available to PlayStation Plus Premium members through a beta, offering up to 1080p resolution at 60fps. The handheld device, priced at $200, provides a more affordable alternative to the PS5, though it lacks some high-end features like 4K gaming. The cloud gaming update is rolling out in 30 countries, requiring a PlayStation Network account and a stable internet connection.
Sony has introduced cloud streaming to the PlayStation Portal, allowing users to stream select PS5 games from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog, provided they are PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers. The feature, currently in beta, requires a minimum internet speed of 7 Mbps for 720p and 13 Mbps for 1080p streaming. However, some features like Game Trials and 3D audio are not yet available, and PS4 and PS3 games cannot be streamed. The beta is available in select countries, and the update also includes audio setting enhancements.
Google engineers hacked the PlayStation Portal to run emulated PSP games, but responsibly reported the issues to Sony, leading to the exploit being fixed in the 2.06 update. The team had no plans to release the hack and expressed bemusement at backlash over disclosing the exploit, stating that reporting versus not reporting only results in a few weeks' difference in patching.