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PlayStation Portable

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The PlayStation Portable, or PSP, is a handheld gaming console developed by Sony Computer Entertainment.

Psp-1000
Psp-1000

It represents the first handheld entry in the famous PlayStation family of consoles. As a seventh-generation device, it was designed to compete with the Nintendo DS. The PSP was highly significant because it was the most powerful portable console available at its launch. It functioned as a versatile mobile entertainment device rather than just a gaming machine. Users could watch movies, listen to audio, and access the Internet.

PSP Browser
PSP Browser

It could also connect to PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 systems or any computer with a USB interface.

To store games and movies, the PSP uses a unique optical disc format called the Universal Media Disc, or UMD.

UMDDISCK
UMDDISCK

This disc drive was a major part of the system's hardware design. However, the UMD drive presented several engineering challenges for Sony. The drive consumed a significant amount of battery power. It also had relatively slow read speeds compared to other storage methods. Because of this, developers had to carefully organize game data. They did this to minimize disc access and reduce power consumption. In some cases, this resulted in long loading times. For example, the game WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 could take up to two minutes to load certain scenes.

In terms of internal hardware, the PSP is quite sophisticated. It uses two 333 MHz MIPS32 R4000 R4k-based CPUs. One acts as the main CPU, while the other serves as a Media Engine. It also features a GPU running at 166 MHz. The original models included 32 MB of main RAM. Later models increased this to 64 MB to improve performance.

PSP Slim MS Slot
PSP Slim MS Slot

The device is powered by a rechargeable battery. The original 1800 mAh battery provided three to six hours of gameplay. It could provide up to eleven hours of audio playback. To keep the device slim, later models used a smaller 1200 mAh battery.

Psp-battery-types
Psp-battery-types

Sony later released an Extended Life Battery Kit in 2008 to provide more capacity.

Sony began developing the PSP before the E3 2003 trade show. CEO Ken Kutaragi famously called the device the "Walkman of the 21st century." This title highlighted its ability to handle many different types of media. The first official concept images appeared in November 2003. These early designs showed flat buttons and lacked an analog joystick. However, Sony addressed these design concerns during the official unveiling at E3 2004. The console saw its first release in Japan on December 12, 2004. It arrived in North America on March 24, 2005. The PAL regions saw the release on September 1, 2005.

The PSP went through several hardware revisions to improve the user experience. The PSP-2000, also known as the "Slim & Lite," was the first major redesign. It was both slimmer and lighter than the original model. This version doubled the internal memory to 64 MB to help with loading speeds. It also introduced USB charging and improved the responsiveness of the D-pad. The next version was the PSP-3000, often called the "PSP Brite." This model featured an improved LCD screen with better color and contrast. It also included anti-reflective technology to reduce glare when used outdoors.

PSP 3000 Español
PSP 3000 Español

Sony also added a built-in microphone to this version.

Despite high prices and technical hurdles, the PSP was a commercial success. In Japan, the launch saw over 200,000 units sold on the first day. In the UK, the console sold over 185,000 units. The UK stock even sold out within three hours of its launch. Across Europe, nearly one million units were sold in the first week. Over its ten-year lifetime, the PSP sold more than 80 million units. Hardware shipments finally ended worldwide in 2014. The production of the UMD discs also ended when the last Japanese factory closed in late 2016.

The PSP's design includes the iconic PlayStation button symbols.

PlayStationTriangle
PlayStationTriangle

These consist of the Triangle, Circle, X, and Square shapes.

PlayStationCross
PlayStationCross

The controller layout also features a directional pad and an analog "nub." The system's legacy continues through the PlayStation Vita. The Vita is backward compatible with PSP games purchased through the PlayStation Store. This connection shows how the PSP helped establish the handheld market for Sony.

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🖼️ Images & Media (17)
File:PSP Logo.svg
PSP Logo.svg
File:Psp-1000.jpg
Psp-1000.jpg
File:PlayStationTriangle.svg
PlayStationTriangle.svg
File:PlayStationCircle.svg
PlayStationCircle.svg
File:PlayStationCross.svg
PlayStationCross.svg
File:PlayStationSquare.svg
PlayStationSquare.svg
File:Psp-battery-types.jpg
Psp-battery-types.jpg
File:PSP Slim MS Slot.JPG
PSP Slim MS Slot.JPG
File:PSP 3000 Español.jpg
PSP 3000 Español.jpg
File:PSP Go logo.svg
PSP Go logo.svg
File:PSP-Go-FL.jpg
PSP-Go-FL.jpg
File:PSP E1000 illustration.svg
PSP E1000 illustration.svg

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