PlayStation Now allows downloads for PS4 and PS2 games like the Xbox Game Pass

PlayStation Now launched in 2015 as a way to stream PS3
games on the PlayStation 4.
Sony

• Sony will now allow PlayStation Now subscribers to download
  dozens of full PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 2 games for offline
  play.
• Previously, the $20 per month PlayStation Now service only
  streamed games to users, requiring a constant internet connection
  to play.
• The change makes PlayStation Now a direct competitor to
  Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass subscription service, which allows
  players to download a large library of Xbox titles on both Xbox
  consoles and Windows computers.

Starting September 20th, PlayStation Now subscribers will have
the option to download full PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 2 games
to their console for offline play, giving them access to a huge
library and a more enjoyable playing experience.

Prior to the announcement, players were limited to streaming
games from the PlayStation Now library, which required a constant
internet connection. Because of the bandwidth required to stream
games, image quality is less consistent than when installed, and
the controls can be slightly delayed.

Saving PS Now titles to their home console will give players the
ability to purchase additional downloadable content and add-ons,
expanding playtime on individual games. If a player started
playing a game using the streaming service, they can transfer
their save, download the title for offline play, and continue
where they left off without having to log back into the
PlayStation Network.

PlayStation 2 and
PlayStation 4 titles are now available for
download.
Playstation
Now/Sony

PlayStation Now has undergone a number of significant changes
since it firsts entered open beta in 2014. The service was once
available on the PlayStation 3, Vita, and even some Sony and
Samsung televisions, but has since been limited to just
PlayStation 4 and Windows. PlayStation Now normally offers
streaming to 12 countries at $19.99 per month, but new
subscribers can join for one month at $9.99 or three months at
$44.99. PlayStation Plus subscribers can get three months of
PlayStation Now for $30. A full year subscription costs $99.99.

The ability to download full titles with PlayStation Now gives
Sony an analogue to Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass service, which
launched earlier this summer for Windows and Xbox consoles. Game
Pass owners can download as many games as they want to their
computer and Xbox with no limits so long as their subscription is
live. The Game Pass is $9.99 a month and offers a library of more
than 100 Xbox games for download. PlayStation Now hosts more than
650 titles for streaming, but the number of downloadable titles
is closer to the size of the Game Pass library.

Most importantly, PlayStation Now’s option for full downloads
gives PlayStation 4 owners a low-cost option to access dozens of
games without having to compromise their playing experience.