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PlayStation Plus Essential, Extra and Premium benefits for PS3, PSP and Vita owners

Sony recently announced a revamp to PlayStation Plus as the subscription has been extended to the Essential, Extra and Premium tiers.

For the uninformed, PlayStation Plus originated on the PlayStation 3 home console in 2010 and was eventually expanded over to the PSP and Vita handhelds in the following years. So, how do the new changes affect these older gaming systems?

You can find out in this article from Seeking Tech.

Can you stream PS4 and PS5 games via PlayStation Plus Premium on PS3, Vita and PSP?

With PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, you are able to stream PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4 and PSP games over the cloud. The streaming feature is currently limited to the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC.

The PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable and PlayStation Vita systems won’t be able to stream any of the PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4 and PSP games from the PlayStation Plus Premium service.

Can you keep your previously redeemed monthly PS3, PSP and Vita games?

If you previously redeemed monthly PS3, PSP and Vita games through the original PlayStation Plus service, then you need to stay subscribe to the newer PlayStation Plus Essential, PlayStation Plus Extra or PlayStation Plus Premium tier in order to be able to play these titles.

Will you be able to play PS3 and PSP games on PlayStation Plus Premium on their native systems?

While the PlayStation Plus Premium subscription will offer a selection of PS3 and PSP games, these titles can’t be played on their native consoles.

Instead, you can download PSP games and play them directly on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. You can also stream PS3 and PSP games on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles in addition to the PC.

What will happen to your current PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now subscription?

If you are currently subscribed to the PlayStation Plus and/or PlayStation Now, then your subscriptions will be converted over.

If you are a PlayStation Plus member, then you will be converted over to PlayStation Plus Essential. With Essential you will get the same benefits as before, which includes the following:

  • At least two downloadable monthly games playable on PS4 and PS5
  • PlayStation Store Discounts
  • Cloud storage for saved files
  • Online multiplayer access for select games

If you are a member of PlayStation Now, then your subscription will automatically convert over to PlayStation Plus Premium. With the most expensive tier, you will gain access to the following:

  • All the benefits from PlayStation Plus Essential
  • A library of up to 400 downloadable games playable on PS4 and PS5
  • Up to 340 classic games playable on PS4 and PS5 (PlayStation 3 games can only be streamed)
  • Game trials for select games
  • Streamable PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4 and PSP games playable on PS4, PS5 and PC

If you are currently subscribed to both PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now, then your subscriptions will be converted over to PlayStation Plus Premium.

If your current PlayStation Now subscription expires before your current PlayStation Plus subscription, then your PlayStation Plus Premium will be reverted back to PlayStation Plus Essential once your PlayStation Now subscription ends.