DIY Enthusiasts Show Enduring Interest in PlayStation Handheld's Sony PSP Console
A skilled hardware tinkerer formulated an authentic modification to transform the PSP into a full-fledged console. Even superior to that, this mod allows you to run your PSP's vintage UMD discs. The $275 PS Placeable is a 3D-printed casing mimicking the original PlayStation 2. It houses a genuine, customized PSP within. The fitting is so seamless with the classic PlayStation handheld design, it triggers nostalgia of Sony's legendary portable gaming days.
The PS Placeable unveils an HDMI port to link with your TV, thereby enabling playback of the original PSP's UMD games. Moreover, it offers the advantage to utilize a Bluetooth controller, making classic games like LocoRoco more enjoyable on the big screen using a PS4 or PS5 controller. A convenient top-sliding compartment allows insertion of your old, UMD discs, if you happen to retain some of those vintage plastic discs like me.
You can manufacture one yourself, if you prefer, and the hardware hacker, Retro Mod Works, shares relevant Github repositories for STLs and codebase for Bluetooth connectivity. The remarkable feature of this mod is that it's non-invasive and reversible, should you wish to revert back. It's compatible with 2K and 3K PSP models (or the PSP-2000 and PSP-3000). However, it won't function with the initial version, the 1K PSP. By linking the PSP to a monitor or TV, you could technically access the content, but controlling the display with the tethered device can be challenging.
Monitor a demonstration in a video posted by Macho Nacho YouTube channel. Retro Mod Works – a retro game enthusiast operating as Dan – collaborated with the coder, Stephen Cooper, to ensure compatibility of his own game collection without resorting to software emulation. He also intended to create something straightforward enough to be intriguing to non-modders, appreciating hardware engineering wonders.
Retro Mod Works announced on their webstore receiving over 100 orders within 24 hours. “That exhausted my stockpile of defective PSPs saved for this project,” they announced. The workload concentrated on wrapping up existing orders before focusing on fresh projects. There's a form available for users to get in touch when openings become available for customizing their PSP. Should you submit your own device, the total cost of the PS Placeable amounts to $185.
An accompanying Switch Station enables replacement of the UMD drive with a PCB, allowing you to simulate PSP games on the big screen or enjoy them while on-the-go using original controls and hardware. The Bluetooth board substitution also enables controller connection. Bluetooth PSP mod kits cost $40, while the 3D-printed shell is priced at $15, and relevant components are not included.
Retro Mod Works added extra features, including guidance on procuring necessary components and assembly from their website. Another aspect of the design is pairing the device with an upscaler. Depending on the application, you may want to consider Retro Tink or Morph 4K upscalers. The kit fails to include an upscaler, so this could be something to explore as per your needs.
The PS Placeable's design is less complex than that of modders transforming consoles into handhelds, such as the modder who placed a monitor over an original Xbox board. It also underscores the enduring desire among gamers for a more portable PlayStation. Previously, modders managed to convert the PlayStation 5 into a laptop-sized device. Last month, Sony finally introduced game streaming to the PlayStation Portal remote player.
Both PSP and PlayStation Vita still maintaining a dedicated fanbase. The Vita is routinely lauded as the finest handheld of its time, but it didn't receive the backing Nintendo offered to its 3DS. Sony is supposedly forging a new PlayStation handheld to challenge the Steam Deck and other portable PCs, but its release could be far off. The interest in the PS Placeable serves as additional evidence of fans' attachment to their Sony handhelds, a fact Sony cannot ignore anymore.
The PS Placeable's Bluetooth connectivity feature makes it possible to use a PS4 or PS5 controller for classic games, enhancing the gaming experience on a larger screen. With the release of the PS Placeable, Retro Mod Works' webstore saw an influx of orders, indicating a strong demand for hardware modifications that enhance the functionality of vintage gaming devices.
