Here's Why The Sony PSP Was Way Ahead Of Its Time

The Sony PlayStation Portable was the first true dedicated handheld gaming device from Sony. It was a system that pushed home console experiences into our pockets with games like Metal Gear Solid and God of War being big showcases for the system's power. Throughout its life the PSP was riddled with hackers and at times lack of game releases. Even to this day though the ideas Sony presented at that time are still being used and with great success.
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[@Michirin9801]

Honestly, anyone who says the PSP was a failure doesn't know what they're talking about...

[@JaguarPanda]

it was nearly impossible to play for 10 mins without having hands hurt like hell, with cramps and stuff, how is it not a failure?

[@Michirin9801]

As if form-factor was the only thing that decided whether a system was a success or a failure, if that was the case, the Game Cube should have been a huge success considering how many people gush incessantly about its controller, and yet, the PSP sold almost 3 times as much as the Cube...

[@campkira]

They are Nintendo fanboy

[@Cabolt44]

@@JaguarPanda What portable gaming device doesn't cramp your hands? Answer - none. The Vita came the closest to seamless ergonomics.

[@JaguarPanda]

@@Cabolt44 the pc-engine gt never game me hand cramps, neither did the game-gear, lynx or gameboy.

[@Renebean]

PSP Is an amazing handheld that will never be forgotten!

[@dangermanv6133]

Dang right! My PSP was like a smartphone for me back in 2005. I used it for everything from watching movies, playing video games, listening to music, browsing the internet, viewing photos and especially when emulation was made possible on it. The handheld was definitely revolutionary for its time. Today now, handhelds or portable game consoles cannot compete with smartphones and tablets period. People today wants convenience and smartphones offers them all of that plus more. Oh man, how I used to pay like $30 bucks for a 1 gb memory stick and $100 for an 8 gb memory stick just so i can stuff more things in my PSP to do.

[@mantasz3]

@@dangermanv6133 yeah psp was great, but browsing the internet on it was asssssss

[@dangermanv6133]

@@mantasz3 depends on what you browse with. Normal browsing is okay but if you have to access flash websites, then it sucks balls. Back in 2005, flash websites were starting to become the trend. Today, the PSP internet browse will not have enough ram to open anything unless it can access portable websites that were design for smartphones and tablets. Sony should have thrown a 128 gm of ram in that system to begin with, it needed the extra memory.

[@Cabolt44]

@@dangermanv6133 You mean 128 gb or 128 mb or ram? Cause 128 gb still isn't even possible by today's laptop standards. I agree with the PSP being well ahead of it's time, but portable gaming on a dedicated console is still way better then a smartphone device. I mean swiping controls (without actual buttons), is cumbersome at best.

[@dangermanv6133]

@@Star737_yt oh yes, i have the pro ppsspp app since i want to support the devs for developing a great app. which is why i carry my ps4 controller along with so i can hook it up the app and play some games.

[@ClearMind777]

Seeing the PSP for the first time as a kid on a bus was mind blowing. I still remember he was playing a tony hawk game, and thinking it looks as good as my gamecube tony hawk game. Ive never been that amazed by technology since then.

[@mr8I7]

Same. Was on holiday in the US (I’m European) and got my first sight of the mythical PSP with some guy playing MLB on it and it blew my mind.

[@mg-lm6tg]

True. Well said.

[@Sundara229]

Nick Cost Same here. A classmate brought one with her. At a time where I’ve been used to play on my Gameboy Advance and my fathers Windows 98 machine, this thing blew me away. It looked so different and modern and cool. I wasn’t until 2009 that I could afford one for myself.

[@Matanumi]

Oh.yeah. PSP WAS ahead of its time

[@FromUpNorth9345]

Back in 06-09’ everyone and their mother had a PSP when I went to school and even on the bus everyone was playing GTA Vice City Stories. PSP was way ahead of its time.

[@always_serpico]

The PSP was the last time a console/handheld actually impressed me.

[@DRAINTVofficial]

I remember when it came out. I grew up in Eastern EU and the PSP was a massive hit. Almost no one brought Nintendo. Nintedo pullout of eastern eu market short after PSP was released

[@mr8I7]

Interesting to hear that.

[@prosjecnidebil2407]

@Let me offer you this is that a genuine question?

[@CreatorPolar]

@Let me offer you this Ofc we have computers in Eastern europe we arent a third world region why do people think that?

[@kekepaka2448]

@Let me offer you this lf course they did. Even in Kazakhstan which is in central asia my mom used to work with Computers and it was in 90s

[@yurisv7315]

To be honest, Sony owns 80% Market Share in Europe, and according to some statistics, 4 out of 5 European households own at least 1 device produced by sony, and out of those devices, consoles, out of which 75-80% are Playstations.

[@clockwork204]

The PSP slowly killed PC / console gaming for me. It was my first handheld gaming console and I realized then the convenience of portable gaming. Also... it pretty much started my Monster Hunter addiction.

[@sigilhunter3199]

Monster Hunter FU. its even in the name lol.

[@idonotmakevidsyet]

The only reason I bought a switch was for monster hunter GU and portability

[@brandongomezvie-domde1a103]

And here I am in monster hunter xx

[@sigilhunter3199]

@@brandongomezvie-domde1a103 Funny story, I actually started making an English patch for XX on the 3ds. But then my life went to total poo and I still haven't had time to finish it :/

[@clockwork204]

@@idonotmakevidsyet Same. Hell... just the possibility of a new portable MH made very eager to buy a Switch. Though, I was playing almost exclusively on handhelds at this time... so I would have bought a Switch sooner or later anyway.

[@wasneezy6229]

Even as a Nintendo nerd, I still loved my psp. It had a great selection of games and it had mindblowing graphics for something that small at its time.

[@ARIGHETTI]

nowonmetube DS? You could play GTA Vice city on the PSP !! DS can't do that!! 🤔

[@bonehand87]

Arian Sedighi you really don’t get it. Do you?

[@myaccount__7269]

Even now,it has the best gra-hics of any handheld ...yes...even the switch. Look at The god of war games as proof. And this was over 10years ago!

[@bonehand87]

WeekendParty __ oof those *Grapffwics* are so good I can even see that pimple on her check! No good person cares about graphics it’s about the games.. 😒

[@LightLegion]

I'm a Nintendo fanboy myself and the DS was my favorite. But the PSP gave more choices and helped kick Nintendo into taking things more seriously. The PSP may even have helped in the creation of the Nintendo Switch.

[@NYCJoeBlack]

I still own my SONY PSP! - And I love it!!

[@btaylor545]

I still have mine but it hasn't been used in years since i got the new 3ds XL and Switch.

[@MalikAli-tf9cg]

I got mine in 2016 and I love it

[@ArrogantDubs]

Quick question for you, is there any way to get it to connect to current wifi? I've looked around and it doesn't seem doable anymore.

[@MalikAli-tf9cg]

Arrogant Dubs I tried to connect to internet and it won’t connect me either sorry I don’t know how to connect it to WiFi a

[@NYCJoeBlack]

Arrogant Dubs - I have not tried in over several months, so I couldn’t help you, but if and when I try again, I’ll let you know.

[@JGJonny]

*One of the best handheld to pirate games*

[@Shane_A_M]

Second only to the vita

[@card44]

*handhelds

[@PAIN007NAGATO]

dont forget switch

[@mrbisshie]

The Switch is probably the best hand held out there, when it comes to emulating other consoles. The PSP struggled with SNES games. You had to put frame skipping up pretty high to not have slow downs in DKC2.

[@CarsonCote]

@@Shane_A_M yeah, I mean there is a app on vita to get every ps1,psp,ps vita game for free.

[@anuraexe]

PSP days were some of my favorite as a kid. Learned so much about Wifi, memory cards, hacks, and whatnot through the PSP.

[@WickedGamerCollector]

I owned the PSP 1000 from the beginning, it blowed my mind. A downgraded PS2 console portable this is so awesome ! Still own it and still have it and LOVE IT !

[@Glebv23]

This system was so versatile, I honestly couldn't imagine having a multimedia center in my pocket before this system, I actually used it for backing tracks/clicktracks for my band and it had a sequencer called pspseq if you wanted to program a song on the go. It could run basically any emulator and ps1 games no problem. The community was awesome.

[@GlitchedDot]

Seems he forgot one little detail. the 1000 model has 32MB of ram while the other models got 64MB of RAM.

[@Kalvinjj]

Tho I would add too that the extra 32 isn't used for games (other than homebrew), but for UMD cache.

[@Kalvinjj]

@ItZed Yeah the 2000 and 3000 models feel like they'll fall apart in your hands and all. That's why I actually keep for myself a 1000 model instead, plus repairability of that one is still the highest. Cheapest screen and button pads separate from the buttons themselves. He did confuse the reason for that spring on the video tho, it just pushes the UMD out when you open it.

[@chamber_hiro256]

A shame games didn't take advantage of this.

[@volsavious2319]

That's it. This is a sign. I've been looking to buy one for awhile I've heard it's really good for emulation

[@Sebadicus]

You wont regret it!

[@knowledgeseeker4116]

Yep. Its easy to mod too. Enjoy!

[@pingutino]

Go for a Vita, same feautres plus some extra

[@volsavious2319]

@@pingutino Vita's are pricey in my city, and I like to examine a used product before I buy.

[@timsa626]

You can get lucky and find them for cheap. I got a 3000 PSP back in December for $40 and it's flawless. I bought it for emulation and I love it! You won't regret getting one for emulation

[@forresth4194]

I love this style of video. Part mini-documentary, part deconstruction of system. Very informative and fun to watch!

[@hanma_inu]

Even now I'm still playing PSP games on my Vita

[@ToxicMothBoi]

Yesss. i'm currently waiting on a Sd2Vita so i can hack my 2 vitas. fuck i'm hyped for the future of psvita hacking

[@twincamuuu]

I somehow like to play psp games on psp and vita on vita, upscaling looks offputting

[@geesobeneezo5867]

Same

[@Cabolt44]

@@ToxicMothBoi You can already hack your Vita before SD2Vita. If you follow the scene most Vita's can be hacked now, making it the next gen of PSP emulation, along with Switch hacks.

[@Airik1111bibles]

Honestly though the PSP is more comfortable to hold, the Vita is a bit of a pain to play shooters gotta have a grip to enjoy them.

[@Marksmaan]

I had a sweet red God of War PSP and loved it.

[@mrroachclip8444]

@SquidBag 😂😂😂

[@Marksmaan]

@SquidBag Right on. I gave mine to a friend

[@Xenoray1]

i had the blue one, it was pretty sick.

[@EthanFeelgood]

Same, then i regretably traded in to GS n got jewed for 30 beans... Was back when i was a broke bull n hada copp some ganj

[@Marksmaan]

@@EthanFeelgood R u saying u sold it pay a ticket after getting popped for possession?

[@coldskyrim]

I remember around 05 towards the end of my junior year of high school i bought one of these and it came with spiderman. It felt so high tech back then

[@Drewsefer89]

I miss the 'Fast Forward' segments when you unscrewed the consoles & when you put them back together. It gave off a feeling of being zen & I enjoyed listening to the music. 😄

[@thermite5060]

my first Playstation product. I loved playing Ghost of Sparta on that bad boy

[@scribsandskets1179]

The PSP got big when I was in high school, and I remember seeing it for the first time when a friend in class had it out. Considering the only game systems I'd ever owned before were gameboys, I couldn't believe it. It was one of the things that really felt like living in the future. But when I got it, I mostly ended up using it for its media functions. FFVII Advent Children was one I watched a lot.

[@rumotu]

Psp as a failure? Bithc please. It is one of the best handheld devices. I played the world out of mine. And the game library was great. Even now with vita I have many psp games on it. More then psvita games to be honest. (if we don't count ps2 ports as psvita games)

[@TheAlibabatree]

It was considered a failure compared to the DS, which it was competing with at the time.

[@isleep5835]

Same @@tgnoat910

[@midnitestate]

Yeah I never got one but everyone had a psp it was a great console...was disappointed in the Vita though...felt like they only supported it for a year or so then let it drop off

[@PAIN007NAGATO]

@@TheAlibabatree well every homeconsoleconsoles beside the Wii is a Failure for nintendo

[@0okaze]

RumoTu : a failure for the manufacturer which is Sony, not necessarily for you. They don’t release consoles solely for the consumer but are also supposed to make a living from them. Unfortunately the PSP was so pirated that it didn’t sell enough software to be valuable. Pirates are a bane to gaming.

[@MrMario2011]

Dark_AleX leaving? Nah, he just became the sole member of a Russian modding team by the name of M33 ;D

[@mr8I7]

Pretty sure that’s what my PSP is running now. M33 something firmware.

[@EdgyShooter]

Still one of the best handheld emulation devices in my opinion! Great feeling console, feels like a proper gaming machine (loved the DS but this felt like a beast in comparison and made the DS feel somewhat plasticy)

[@DarkTyyp]

I remember getting my hand on the PSP first hand from one that a friend from Junior High had. I never owned one, but it was always mind blowing to see games that I would normally see on the PS2 be able to fit in my pocket. Super cool system, imo.

[@card44]

Castlevania the Dracula X Chronicles is pretty awesome.

[@card44]

@@CurazyDiamondo Yup I love Castlevania, oh and you can add the Wii to that list as well, Rebirth was cool, but not AS good as other Castlevania games, and don't even get me started on Judgement...

[@card44]

@@CurazyDiamondo Yah you're right. Judgement had some great music, but oh my god, I cry every time I look at Judgement Simon. That game destroyed him, I never minded red Simon that much, but Judgement just blew it all up... Thank god Smash Ultimate fixed Simon.

[@drift180x]

Card44 my favorite part was it provided a way to finally play the Saturn version of SotN in English, Maria is so overpowered its funny. Also had Rondo of Blood too, great deal of a game, 3 in 1!

[@mrbisshie]

I mean, how many games can you think of, that has an entire game as an unlockable? Only other game I can think of is Metroid Zero Mission allowing you to unlock the original Metroid. And Animal Crossing allowing you to buy NES games. Oh, and Shenmue, allowing you to play Sega arcade games.

[@card44]

@@drift180x Actually the version of Maria you play in the PSP version is drastically different from the Saturn version, in fact the Saturn version was often considerd unstable, and apparently it crashed quite a bit.

[@targetrender9529]

It was an amazing device. Great games, great (for a handheld) graphics, the ability to play MP3’s and watch movies. And it sold around 80 million units. Definitely not a failure.

[@Alias_Anybody]

Well, it's not like the DS wasn't pirate friendly.

[@elderlyoogway]

Although I don’t think it was on the same scale that happened with the psp

[@BK201DarkerThanBlack]

DS games were pirated through PC emulation software mostly. Where as the PSP was generally hacked itself and homebrews or games were loaded onto it. Nintendo certainly suffered from piracy (Pokemon HG and SS roms were released a week before the game came out in NA and this hurt sales like 10 or 20% potentially), but the PSP was definitely worse off as it's piracy scene was handheld capable. I think that's part of the reason I consider the PSP a failure. It sold well itself. But when a handheld is bought solely to be used as an iso or homebrew device, then first and third party support go the way of the dodo. And without good first or third party support gamewise, the handheld can definitely be deemed as a failure.

[@Alias_Anybody]

PC emulation? The usual method were flashcards. The DS (lite) lacked the memory for homebrew on the internal flash and the DSi wasn't worth it until very recently because those still worked.

[@theoperator3712]

@@Alias_Anybody The flashcart is something I would generally consider unfriendly for piracy. Sure, it works, but all you need to hack a PSP is the included memory stick and a PC.

[@czarkowskipawelyt]

@@theoperator3712 Yeah, plugging a cartidge is sooo unfriendly compared to buying an USB cable, copying weird files, launching weird programs and praying the guy on the internet made a working tutorial and the stuff you want to download is up and actually fits your revision & firmware.

[@blakewilliams5627]

One thing I will never understand is why didn’t they make portable UMD players & try to replace portable DVD players?

[@Kalvinjj]

Well DVD was just way too well established, but they could have pulled it off if they wanted I guess. Tho it would likely end as a Betamax vs VHS all over again and they sure didn't want that so late down the format's life (DVD that is), when they were just about to release Blu Ray as well.

[@julianelmo7006]

That’s what they wanted to do, that’s why they bought the format

[@leegsy]

Sony charged too much for UMD movies. What's the point in buying a movie on UMD when you can get the same movie on DVD for the same price (sometimes cheaper) and it is of much better image and sound quality and has extras like documentaries, deleted scenes, etc?

[@GriefSeeker]

Some psp games from a 2005 console still got better graphics than 3ds games lol

[@leonardomatheus1888]

3ds is absolute garbage hardware wise

[@yamaggot3115]

@Cream PiE maybe not but at least the psp have higher res than the original 3ds (;

[@pleaseno333]

Playing monster hunter on the psp with my friends was amazing back then

[@unicorntomboy9736]

Monster Hunter freedom unite was the shit back in the day

[@toshironikko]

Sony suffered from apple syndrome - making their own memory cards that cant be used anywhere else and normal sd cards wont work

[@Kalvinjj]

To be fair tho, they used their quite popular Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo, so it's nowhere near the Vita's bullshit. Those cards where used in all of their cameras, there were card readers built into laptops/PCs, and many manufacturers produced those, including of course Sony at a weirdly not eye gouging price. Also, at that time there were quite a lot of competing memory card solutions: Compact Flash was (still is even) wildly used in still cameras, the Type II CFs with a mechanical hard drive inside on video cameras, XD cards on Fuji ones if I recall, SD on anything from Panasonic and some others (it was NOT the universally used card it is today tho), and even MMC cards out there.

[@LouisTheSEGANerd]

Kalvinjj my pc still has a memory stick duo slot on it 😂

[@CoalCoalJames]

False info, you could by off/other brand (not sony) memory sticks for the PSP. You could also by adapters for other types of smaller cards.

[@LouisTheSEGANerd]

coal james yeah I have an adapter that lets me use 2 micro sd cards. Costs less than 2 quid for the adapter as well :-)

[@toshironikko]

@@CoalCoalJames and the vita too?

[@TheNintendoWizrad]

The thing that was sad about PSP, is how many that were sold purely to hack it

[@Sabaelos]

I mean the memory cards are expensive as fuck and the umd's. Here in the ph, malls selling PSP even offer jailbreaking services rigbt off the bat lmao.

[@R0ndras]

Dont worry, Sony made a ton of money thanks to that.

[@romanjohnson9077]

Doesn't matter hacking was the best thing that could happen. The PS store is closed now so what do they expect. People still want those games. Sony fault.

[@CountlessPWNZ]

why is that sad?

[@TheNintendoWizrad]

@@CountlessPWNZ that it sold so many when realistically the majority (I assume) were just hacked and the system wasn't used as the creators intended

[@SkyScourgeGod]

I used to own a PSP back in 2009 when I was in college and I recently decided to buy another one mostly to play my old time favorite Tag Force games (although I have other games to). Now PSP related videos are showing up in my recommends list. Is the PSP growing in popularity as a retro machine or does the universe just magically know what I'm doing all the time? lol

[@myaccount__7269]

SkyScourgeGod no it’s youtube recommending it based on your search

[@ashtonbowman5077]

I stated this in your DS video after the suggestion of a PSP video, I recently did a case swap on my PSP and had to rely on videos from 2007-2009 in 240p. Seeing a tear down IN HD is a blessing for other people doing disassembly in the future. Thanks! 👍

[@ChrisPTenders]

Great video. Only the last minute really applies to the title, but it's still cool to get inside this thing and see what it's made of.

[@5persondude]

I used to own a PSP years ago, first game was Daxter (a spinoff of the Jak and Daxter series). Really miss it because it stopped working around 2010, i recall trying to play the Metal Gear Solid Peace Walker demo before it broke. One day i might go online and hunt down a new/refurished PSP with some games, just for the hell of it

[@remingtonrojas]

Emulator and rom is free

[@adithyaarun9981]

I had that too. Just got flashbacks!

[@lazertag720]

I remember finally hacking my PSP back in 2010-2011 just to install the GTA LCS cheat device man was it my dream coming true.

[@Sundara229]

I never managed to do this because at some point I’ve updated the firmware and it only got more complicated.

[@lazertag720]

@@Sundara229 i started with the patapon exploit then used it to downgrade from the latest firmware to a hackable firmware

[@Sundara229]

@@lazertag720 If I remember correctly I had to mess with the battery and somehow make a magic memory stick... yeah that's when I gave up. At least you can run everything on Android nowadays, get a gamepad etc. In fact, the PPSSPP emulator even runs pretty good on older devices (like from 2015).

[@acecab5397]

These awesome docu-techwave videos are awesome man, looking forward to more of these or wouldn't mind you redoing the previous consoles this way :)

[@m.ariefw3536]

Having this device back in the day, you were considered as the Richest kid. the poor, they happy enough to play a Java game in their phone.

[@brilianairlangga1408]

So true

[@modeloman4568]

Good things I was lucky enough that my dad just found it in flee market when he was deployed. We couldn’t afford to buy it brand new so him finding it there was a literal miracle.

[@m.ariefw3536]

Lol, I almost bought this PSP back in 2008, however, I mad to my dad, right before purchasing one, and he didnt agree to buy me PSP due to my action despite my mom approval. Too bad.

[@jokatech]

The screen size complaints get on my f ing nerves.

[@SonGoku-mj5pq]

I love that it was very fixable almost everything could be replaced by the consumer, I almost cried when my charging port broke, I asked my mom for money to buy a replacement part and did it myself. I still feel a great sense of satisfaction about it to this day!

[@InsertCleverNameHere0]

You read my mind! I'd been looking for a video like this about the PSP for a while now!

[@josh77577]

i really enjoy this documentary video format. Thanks spawn wave and please make more videos like this.

[@g3nolla-307]

Love my PSP, so many great games on it. I loved buying UMD movies for it, cause you could also play them on your tv with the video cord.

[@Hugom9270]

The only reason I have a PSP now is to play Power Stone on the go

[@jdumbia2887]

They need to put power stone on Nintendo switch.

[@Hugom9270]

@@jdumbia2887 I agree

[@mrroachclip8444]

@@jdumbia2887 yessss plz

[@user-ok3th3hu2c]

Crazy taxi

[@FUNKOfilms]

I had no idea powerstone was on it. Gonna have to look for that now.

[@MonadoJoJo]

Wow this was awesome learning about some of the PSP's History! Awesome Video!

[@crunkmixtape]

Nice video style.. I would be happy to see more like this

[@coxxycabee]

I loved my PSP, just not the nub. I carried mine around with me everywhere back in 2007. I finished the notable Final Fantasy VII for the first time on this console. Finishe many other games too. Loved this thing.

[@agentsmith2yearsagoedited597]

i remember my brother being so excited that he had windows on his psp . idk why he was way too excited it making me laugh

[@Mr._Lechkar]

Great video my man!

[@DominicanStud101]

Love these type of videos, keep up the good work!

[@JuanD817]

Nice video, I remember having my PSP 1000 as a kid, i really liked to play Monster Hunter Freedom and Dungeon Seige on the console. I bought a vita a year ago and modded it so i could play any games i wanted on an SD and took a huge nostalgia trip by downloading most the psp games i had back then. I hope Sony makes another portable because they make great quality consoles, the reason thing the vita suffered was because of poor marketing and their expensive proprietary memory cards.

[@andrewbrooks2001]

PSP Go was way ahead of it's time. Had a TV dock, sync with a PS3 controller which would allow you to play your PSP and PS1 games on the go and on the tv. And it was digital distribution only.

[@RicardoRiSkAmaro17]

I still think that the PSP Go was the weakest of them all for being smaller and the buttons stuck togheter and for not having UMD. What you said about the GO the other ones could do the same.

[@andrewbrooks2001]

@@RicardoRiSkAmaro17 I couldn't sync a PS3 controller to my PSP 2000, though I could attach it to a TV via AV cables. PSP Go failed because of the lack of UMD. It's Digital Distribution only, which people didn't want when it was released. Which is where things are going now-a-days, look what happened to the PC market. The one advantage the Go had over all the other models is that it's more "pocket friendly" and you didn't have a collection of UMD movies/games to take with you in a case. I thought the Sony Ericson Xpheria Play would have done well. I was thinking it would operate like the PSP Go, but the market place wasn't great.

[@andrewbrooks2001]

@@RicardoRiSkAmaro17 the other units couldn't natively sync PS3 controllers.

[@Cabolt44]

@@andrewbrooks2001 The current Xperia systems actually connect to the PS4 as a second controller so what the Xperia Play did was continued in some way. The PSP Go was pretty cool though due to actually integrating Bluetooth connectivity. I guess the PSTV used the Go as inspiration.

[@danny1884]

@@andrewbrooks2001 I had the 1000, 2000 and Go. I loved my PSP Go but the problem is that the memory is limited, memory cards were expensive then, and games can be as big as 2/3GB.

[@Bobtimus_Rock]

Great video, Spawnwave! Every time i am looking at something to add to my collection, or to replace/repair a device i used to own, i see you make a video of each one within DAYS! Personally i am trying to find one of those upscalers specifically for the psp, but once i get a set of psp component cables, it will have to do, as the upscaler is discontinued :(

[@ry_man]

Happy New Year, I can't imagine recording a video after 4am on New Years Day. What a champion! :) great vid SW!

[@ahmedp8009]

I love and will always love the PSP. Possibly my all time favorite handheld! So many memories, so many great games. Sony did well with the PSP.

[@NASIRUB1]

@SpawnWave I have a question, I own a PSP 1001 and it has trouble reading memory cards on and off. I bought a replacement memory card slot, however, before I open up my system to install it, I want to know if installation of this new part requires any desoldering/soldering?

[@FUNKOfilms]

Something like a port almost certainly requires soldering.

[@Kalvinjj]

Depends on what did you buy. If you bought the entire board with the headphone jack together, then no, you don't need to solder anything. If you bought just the metal part with the pins, then sadly you'll need soldering. I've done it with a normal soldering iron and gotta say it's quite hard to not rip pads up, I've ripped two and I have enough experience in soldering. Now thankfully I have a hot air soldering station that would let me do this without ripping any pads and without issues but well, it's already done.

[@leegsy]

What type of memory cards are you using? I have have two PSPs, and original model and a 3000, and the 3000 wont recognise the micro USB adaptor things but it always detects my official Sony Pro Duo cards.

[@Kalvinjj]

@@leegsy My bet would be on your adapter being faulty, my PSP 1000, a 2000 I sold and a 3000 I'm repairing here all recognize my micro SD to MS Duo adapters. They're all the cheapo single slot adapters by the way, not that dual slot one, in case it's important (which I bet does make a difference). I could also add that I've had serious problems with crappy Micro SD cards. Both the PSP and the Nintendo 3DS tend to write quite often to the card on the auto-save. The 3DS LOVES corrupting cards for the heck of it, the PSP doesn't but the writes can kill crappy cards in a month or so.

[@chriscarrillo6683]

I just picked one up last week and So happy I did! Great video!

[@Stempy]

Really enjoy this series you have going. 🙌🙌🙌

[@iamnothuman27]

Oh yeah this was a good video bro. I like videos like this.

[@igodreamer7096]

Great handheld, so many games, so many memories (so many emulators). No doubt it was ahead of its time!

[@obliterator789]

Great video dude!

[@nateswanson2443]

Awesome content like always keep up the good work

[@mikkaheintz9173]

The psp Go have a tv docking Station and connect with a ps3 Controller... the psp Go was the nintendo switch back in time

[@patrickultra2966]

Imagine in a few years time, if Sony could get PS4 performance on a handheld. Download-only games to cut costs, expandable memory. And some way to stream gameplay from the handheld to a TV through just a dongle, no plugging in or wires.

[@Cabolt44]

Actually that's one of the rumours floating around, that the next gen will be combination home and hybrid console - at least for Sony.

[@patrickultra2966]

Cabolt44 Logistically, it would be a nightmare to develop. We all know what can fit in something with the form factor of the Nintendo Switch, I don’t believe Sony could fit VR ready next-gen tech into a package that small.

[@Cabolt44]

@@patrickultra2966 They probably could so long as they drop off the premium and power intensive features, of regular VR ready devices. Look at smartphones with VR tech, they seem to be able to do it. Considering Sony are really pushing VR for next gen, the portable device will probably act as either a companion device (like the Vita and Xperia), and/or as a hybrid with watered down features compared to the PS5.

[@patrickultra2966]

Cabolt44 Sony won’t release an underpowered compromise. Besides, I would argue that full 4K support would be a bigger priority than VR. VR is still not widely adopted or developed for, its more of an afterthought. As far as smartphone VR, did that ever go anywhere? Last I heard was low-quality Google Cardboard.

[@Cabolt44]

@@patrickultra2966 I mean 4k is an easy option, with the tech available. The PS5 will absolutely have 4K (if not beyond that). As for smartphone VR, Samsung's Gear is the last I heard, along with cheapo google cardboard and the various imitations. What I'm trying to say is that the PS5 or rather next gen systems by Sony will probably be a home console, but will very likely include VR and perhaps a hybrid/portable console to use with VR/PS5. The first two are far more likely then the portable console, until we get news on it.

[@introvertedwanderer6194]

I remember the PSP fondly, when I started working part time this was one of the first things I brought for myself. Ah good times.

[@kevinolivares1526]

Love these videos man! Keep up the good work 👌

[@MCAWESOME19]

I have my psp modded. I love it now!

[@DEMENTO01]

Idk if the psp was, but the vita surely was lmao

[@jeremyroberts8822]

ENEKO TORRES yea Sony really gave up on the vita. It’s a shame because it’s actually a fucking amazing handheld console it just didn’t get nearly enough support.

[@FinoNick]

I remember reading a Popular Science Magazine article about the PSP. I thought it was incredible with a web browser video player and game console. I got one the Christmas after it came out and loved it

[@albatross1688]

I still have my PSP and I still love it. Sure, it doesn't get as much use now, but neither do my 3DS or Vita. My PS4 is my main system. However, if I ever need to kill some time and I'm not home, I consider all three systems equally. I may also have an interest in a specific game on one of those systems. I don't have a Switch yet (likely will soon), but it's a little too big to truck around the way I do my other handhelds. It would make for an ideal system for playing while sitting in my car, mind you (not while driving, obviously). In any case, what I love best about the PSP is both its simplicity and that it was way ahead of its time. It even made the leap to digital downloads pretty well, in spite of the PlayStation Store not existing when the PSP first launched. Yeah, crazy to think in retrospect.

[@hatchhyjack]

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker was hands done the best game ever on the PSP

[@iamnothuman27]

I really wish we had youtube in the 90s i really needed my stick fixes back in the day lol

[@InTheKnow007]

Great video, thumbs up !!

[@melaningamer_]

Great informative video spawn wave.

[@davidnotonstinnett]

Pretty sure Sega was the innovator for handheld you could plug into your tv but okay

[@retrosoul8770]

Are you surprised, most ppl including Spawn are Ninty kids. The Nomad should have released later though, too ahead of its time

[@Kalvinjj]

@@retrosoul8770 The Nomad, Game Gear and Lynx were indeed too ahead of their time as well, trying to achieve a lot before the technology could do it feasibly. Back then there was just not white LEDs available for backlights, and even color LCDs were in their infancy, it just didn't have the tech ready for it, but they tried as hard as they could. Sadly, that meant huge size, power draw from the early battery technology and a screen that wasn't as great on practice as it would be on paper. Still, I give them big credit for having the guts to go balls out on it and do it.

[@Vulf_Faolan]

Man my PSP got me through highschool. Peace Walker, Seasons of Family Guy, Music, SNES emulator with Chrono Trigger and FF6...

[@TheGreatNathan]

People seemed to forget that PSP was a revolutionary device. It was not just a game system, but it was the first all in one multimedia device. It had an internet browser, mp3 player, video player, camera, and an online media store. It may be hard to believe, but the PSP came out 2 years earlier than the iPod Touch and iPhone. It also featured a large 4.3 inch screen that smartphones didn't get until the early 2010s.

[@JoshyGoodtime1]

Correct. People forget or just downplay the PSP because of the DS and it's touchscreen. The DS is a great console, but the PSP was also ahead of its time in its own right. The multimedia features of the PSP and touchscreen of the DS = Iphone of today, and mobile gaming market. Both consoles played a part in influencing history.

[@gcnelite5983]

The PSP was way ahead of its time as it came out 3 years before the original iPhone yet it could still do a lot of the things that the iPhone could do as well.

[@zachtomlinson2424]

Great video!

[@VictorGonzalez-vj6jy]

I loved my psp :,). Shame the Vita was abandoned my Sony and the west.

[@SiarPoyan]

I still have it in a safe place in my room, next my ps3 and ps4..... GUESS WHAT?? IT HAS A HEADPHONE JACK😍

[@AlextheK]

@9:30 regarding the modularity, the vita is as well btw... was pleasently surprised when I had to take that thing apart.

[@johnodaz1273]

Nice tech wave video Jon(SW). The PSP done a great job for Sony and watching films on the go was a cool idea and one that I wish the Switch will do at some point aswell.

[@shadowking141ghost]

psp my all time favourite handheld

[@googleisacruelmistress1910]

It had great graphics TBH, definitely better than the DS, the DS just had better games

[@Cabolt44]

Depends on the person. I'd say the PSP had just as good games then the DS, just of course none of them Nintendo exclusives they always use to cheese through sales. I mean not many franchises can beat Pokemon, or Smash.

[@ThePrimo80s]

These tech waves are great. I love the production on them.

[@galit5912]

I love this format of video

[@kierenmont4656]

Be back in 15 mins to tell you how the video was!!

[@Bucky_BB]

Kieren Mont well how was it?

[@kierenmont4656]

@@Bucky_BB good aha

[@kierenmont4656]

@SquidBag don't be toxic m8

[@CountlessPWNZ]

be back after i take this dab rip

[@theheadlessjackfrost679]

Sony's handhelds were stronger than the competition (DS and 3DS), but lack a library of games compared to Nintendo.

[@albatross1688]

Yes and no. While I agree 100% that the Vita's library isn't as strong as the 3DS's (as much as I do like some of the few Vita exclusives), both the DS and PSP have excellent libraries of games and it's not nearly as easy for me to pick a clear winner. Moreover, the PSP has had more longevity for me by virtue of having easy access to its digital backlog, which is still something that can be accessed from the PlayStation Store's website, or by downloading it to a PS3. Sure, I could also play those games on my Vita, but Vita memory is expensive, so I've reserved it for Vita games, and I just like playing games on the original hardware as much as possible, even if the Vita has a better left analog stick and a right one to go with it.

[@Sly2Cooper]

Fighting games, racing games, sport games, action adventure games, 3D platformers were better and in more variety on PSP. Unique titles like Katamari, Patapon, Loco Roco, M.A.C.H..., 5 minute hero... Tons of good JRPGs... PS1 compatibility. Nintendo has well known and established franchises but overall libraries were amazing and had many gems on both systems. Sadly 3DS/Vita generation cannot even compare.

[@Cabolt44]

If you're talking about the Vita then yes, but if you're talking about the PSP itself, then no. PSP has an amazing library of games and was honestly testing the limits of what games could go portable. In particular high end PS2 games and even some lower end PS3 games were essentially ported to the PSP, or companion games were made as spin offs to PS2 and 3 games. The PSP had a lot of cross generation support going for it, while also releasing some of the best exclusive games in history (Crisis Core, Tekken DR, Daxter etc).

[@Furnimus93]

Still have mine. Great video

[@balinttoth2339]

I still have mine, and it works perfectly, apart from the charger having some connection issues, and the drive rattling a bit when I insert UMDs. Awesome device.

[@hikikomorphi]

I've legit never heard a person say they consider the PSP a failure. You're the first. That shit was everywhere while growing up. I was the only kid on my block without one lol.

[@Kalvinjj]

I hear it from every oh-so-intellectual gamer that thinks they know their shit. Guess they can't really do simple math or think about who was the only real competition against Nintendo in the handheld market.

[@raszop]

Psp was a good device, from the era before Sony started going downhill. Now playstation is a joke

[@johnfricotta]

Miss the days of playing Socom and Syphon Filter online with the voice chat... Definitely ahead of it's time.

[@psychotzar753]

mgs peacewalker was one of the greatest games ive ever played and i appreciate that you used it in you thumbnail

[@adnanrafiqui8730]

will you cover Soulja boy console being ahead of its time or the OUYA next?

[@Daemon4]

I know right? How can people forget such influential and innovative devices? I loved playing Just Rain™ on my ouya and Sonic at 5 fps on my souljagame.

[@adnanrafiqui8730]

@@Daemon4 great consoles being forgotten yet again despite their popularity

[@zmertzi]

Soulja Boy Console was waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy ahead of its time, like omfg best console evah dont @ me bitter playstation/xbox gamerzz

[@kingsmurf8131]

Wii u was the switch 1.0 but the Vita was way ahead of it's time just not marketing was not done right

[@LeynosJehuty]

SEGA Nomad was the Switch 0.0.1

[@AlphaladZXA]

GBA+Gameboy player was switch 0.1.0

[@volsavious2319]

Nomad started it man

[@Daemon4]

I have never heard of a nomad but it sounds interesting

[@billy-waynejeffcoat4828]

@@volsavious2319 wouldn't that fall to the game gear? Came out 5 years before, had a converter you could buy to play master system console games. Had a TV tuner adapter to watch tv, full color and stereo sound. Only feature it was missing is a tv out function but can be modded to have that function.

[@speedyink]

As an early adopter in Japan I think the PSP was running homebrew before June 2005. In fact, the 1.0 firmware it came with would just run any code you threw on it, there was basically no protection whatsoever. One of the first updates fixed it (Pretty sure 1.50 that US got at launch was the second update, there was one before that and was more minor, but can't remember which added the 'security' feature). I definitely remember the feeling of losing my ability to run an NES emulator when updating. I was fully into the PSP though, so updating it was still ok by me, just to see what would change. Also, consoles that could update was like a brand new concept, so seeing the scrolling in zoomed in pictures to change from 30 to 60fps with that first update, it was really cool to see a console improve.

[@06silverfire]

Love this production value