The PlayStation Portal is finally worth buying

digitaltrends.com:

Whether you’re looking at the base PlayStation 5 or the Pro model, investing in a current-gen machine hasn’t gotten any cheaper since launch. While sales for Sony’s newest console are by no means bad, there are still a large number of players out there who are either sticking with their PS4s or simply holding off on buying hardware entirely. Sadly, $450 is the lowest admission price (excluding the rare discount or buying secondhand), and it is not an insignificant amount of money for most people.

The PlayStation Portal was originally launched as an accessory to the PS5, much to the chagrin of those who were hoping for the next iteration of the PlayStation Vita. It isn’t quite the dedicated PlayStation handheld we wanted, but it might be the closest thing we get. Thanks to a fresh update, this $200 device has transformed into a no-brainer entry point to the PlayStation ecosystem that doesn’t break the bank, and I can easily recommend to almost anyone.

Step through the portal

At launch, the PlayStation Portal was fairly limited in functionality. It would allow you to play your PS5 games remotely so long as both were connected to the internet. That kept it from truly competing with devices like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch, which could function completely independently. That has all changed with the latest firmware update. Now, the Portal can stream a selection of PS5 games directly from the cloud via the internet — no PS5 required. While the update to the Portal doesn’t fully take it off the leash — you’re still tethered to a Wi-Fi connection — it does create the perfect on-ramp for new players.

For just $200 and the cost of a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, anyone can get a bite-sized version of the PS5 experience. You obviously have that lower entry price, but also don’t need to worry about investing in a library of games. So long as you’re comfortable with streaming (and have the internet speeds to facilitate it), then you’re free to