The PlayStation Portable (PSP), released by Sony in 2005, marked a significant foray into the handheld gaming market, directly challenging Nintendo's dominance. It distinguished itself with its sleek design, powerful hardware capable of near-PlayStation 2 quality graphics, and its use of the Universal Media Disc (UMD) for game distribution and video playback. The PSP aimed to be more than just a gaming device; it was envisioned as a portable entertainment center, boasting features like music playback, photo viewing, and web browsing via Wi-Fi.
Despite facing challenges from piracy and the growing popularity of mobile gaming, the PSP enjoyed considerable success, selling over 80 million units worldwide. Its innovative features, strong first-party support with titles like God of War: Chains of Olympus and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, and diverse library of games across various genres, solidified its place as a key player in handheld gaming history. The PSP paved the way for future handheld consoles and influenced the development of mobile gaming platforms. Its legacy continues to be celebrated by fans who appreciate its unique blend of power, portability, and multimedia capabilities.
However, the PSP also faced criticism. The UMD format, while innovative, proved vulnerable to piracy and less convenient than downloadable games. The battery life was often considered inadequate, and the system's initial high price point deterred some potential buyers. Despite these drawbacks, the PSP remains a beloved console for its impressive technical capabilities and groundbreaking features for its time.
2005
SONY
PSP
📜 History & Legacy
⚙️ Specifications
- ❖ CPU: Custom Sony CPU + Media Engine at 333 MHz
- ❖ GPU: Custom Sony GPU at 166 MHz
- ❖ RAM: 32 MB main RAM, 4 MB embedded DRAM
- ❖ Storage: UMD (Universal Media Disc), Memory Stick PRO Duo
- ❖ Display: 4.3-inch TFT LCD screen, 480 x 272 pixels (16:9 aspect ratio)
- ❖ Wireless: IEEE 802.11b (Wi-Fi)
- ❖ Battery: Lithium-Ion
- ❖ Audio: Stereo speakers, headphone jack
- ❖ Dimensions: Approximately 170 mm (L) x 74 mm (W) x 23 mm (H)
- ❖ Weight: Approximately 280 grams (including battery)
🎮 Top 10 Games
- ★ God of War: Chains of Olympus
- ★ Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
- ★ Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
- ★ Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
- ★ Patapon
- ★ LocoRoco
- ★ Daxter
- ★ Wipeout Pure
- ★ Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
- ★ Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
🎥 Video Review
💡 Curiosities
- ? Did you know that the PSP was originally codenamed 'Project Rubicon'?
- ? The PSP was the first handheld console to use an optical disc format.
- ? The PSP Go, a revision of the PSP, removed the UMD drive entirely and focused on digital downloads.
- ? The PSP's XrossMediaBar (XMB) interface was also used on the PlayStation 3 and Sony Bravia TVs.
- ? Early PSP prototypes had a sliding keyboard.
- ? The PSP could be connected to a PlayStation 3 for remote play functionality.
- ? The PSP was popular for homebrew development, allowing users to run custom software.
- ? Several successful PlayStation 2 games received downscaled ports to the PSP.
- ? The PSP's online service was shut down in 2016.
- ? The PSP's design was heavily influenced by Sony's focus on creating a portable entertainment device, not just a gaming console.