Sony PSPClassic Handheld
Photo: Evan-Amos / Alphathon · CC BY-SA 3.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
Classic HandheldDiscontinued
Sony PSP
Sony · Released Mar 2005 · PSP-1000
Sony's slick widescreen handheld brought near-console 3D gaming and multimedia to the palm, and remains a homebrew favourite.
8.7
out of 10
$249
Launch price $249
Pros
- +Console-quality 3D gaming on the go
- +Gorgeous 16:9 widescreen for its era
- +Multimedia powerhouse (video, music, web)
- +Thriving custom firmware and homebrew scene
Cons
- −Only a single analog nub
- −UMD drive hurts load times and battery
- −No second stick for modern controls
What can it play?
Emulation performance by platform, based on real-world testing.
Full speedPlayableLimitedNot supported
PlayStation PortableFull speed
PlayStation 1Full speed
Full specifications
Hardware
- Chipset (SoC)
- Sony CXD2962GG
- CPU
- MIPS R4000 (dual), up to 333 MHz
- GPU
- Sony GPU @ 166 MHz
- RAM
- 32 MB (64 MB on later models)
- Storage
- UMD + Memory Stick UMD disc + Memory Stick Pro Duo
- Weight
- 280 g
- Dimensions
- 170 x 74 x 23 mm
- Cooling
- Passive
Display
- Size
- 4.3″
- Resolution
- 480x272
- Panel
- TFT LCD (16:9)
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
- Touchscreen
- No
Battery & Connectivity
- Battery
- 1800 mAh
- Real-world life
- ~5 hours
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi (802.11b)
- Bluetooth
- None
- Ports
- UMD drive, Memory Stick, USB, 3.5mm headphone
- Expandable storage
- Yes (microSD)
Controls
- Analog sticks
- 1
- D-pad
- Yes
- Face buttons
- Yes
- Analog triggers
- No
- Gyroscope
- No
- Hall effect sticks
- No
Software & custom firmware
Ships with: Sony XMB (PSP)
Also plays natively: UMD games, PlayStation Store / minis, PS1 Classics
Custom firmware
Our verdict
Value8.3
Build8.4
Screen7.5
Performance7.5
The PSP was a statement of intent: a sleek widescreen handheld with 3D power approaching the PS2, plus music, video, and web browsing. Its UMD format was a mixed blessing, and the single analog nub dates it, but a vibrant custom-firmware and homebrew community has kept it relevant for two decades. A landmark device.