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Access your console and play games through your mobile device

Access your console and play games through your mobile device

Vote: (37 votes)

Program license: Free

Developer: PlayStation Mobile Inc.

Version: 7.0.0

Works under: Android

Also available for Windows Mac

Vote:

Program license

(37 votes)

Free

Developer

Version

PlayStation Mobile Inc.

7.0.0

Works under:

Also available for

Android

Windows Mac

Pros

  • Setting up streaming is smart and seamless
  • Works on a wide variety of different devices

Cons

  • Requires pretty resource heavy devices to work properly
  • Streaming isn't without hiccups and lag

If you've ever dreamed of playing your favorite PS4 games without having to sit in front of your TV, PS4 Remote Play has you covered. Ever since the rise of video streaming services like Netflix and Hulu and music streaming services like Pandora and Spotify, gamers have wondered when they can stream their favorite games directly to their phones. But the processing power of current gen games makes that notion a challenging one. PS4 Remote Play is a bold new app that shows the promise of online game streaming, and while it opens up a whole lot of exciting opportunities, it sometimes feels more like a proof of concept more than a viable alternative to traditional console gaming.

Remote Play has been around for a while, but it's possibly one of the console's best hidden secrets. Through the use of the remote play app, you can remotely cast modern indies and AAA games directly to your mobile device or PC. That said, there are some things you need to have in preparation to get it to work. You'll of course need a Playstation 4 with the latest system updates, but you'll also need a modern dual shock PS4 controller and a device that can properly sync to it via Bluetooth. Players also need to be current on their PS Plus service, a subscription plan that provides you with access to a number of bonuses like free monthly games and access to multiplayer functions. Given the power needed to properly stream games without hiccups, you also need a pretty substantive internet connection. 5 Mbps download and upload speeds are the bare minimum, but 12 Mbps is a practical necessity if you're looking to experience modern games without crippling lag. Those aren't minor requirements, but they can provide you with a video game streaming experience that's relatively smooth and seamless.

What's especially cool is that you don't need to tether your Playstation 4 manually. As long as you PS4 is linked to the same account as your device, you can access it from anywhere in the world. Players have access to any digital games in their catalog just as long as there's a copy physically downloaded to the console. The dashboard of the Remote Play app gives you access to most of the features you'd expect to find. You get a visual layout of all the games available to you as well as your friends list and system settings. Getting everything set up is fairly seamless, but play comes with one major caveat. Streaming features are still in their formative stages, and the demands of streaming means that you can't expect an experience as crisp and responsive as that you'll find on consoles. Even with the best internet connection, you can expect some slowdown, so it's not quite up to the task of emulating the most resource heavy games around.

Pros

  • Setting up streaming is smart and seamless
  • Works on a wide variety of different devices

Cons

  • Requires pretty resource heavy devices to work properly
  • Streaming isn't without hiccups and lag

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