Many are probably understandably confused as to why thePlayStation Portable, Sony’s original handheld games console, is trending on Twitter today. The console, which originally released in Japan in December 2004, was a major success, selling over 80 million units before it was discontinued in 2014. Today fans have decided to come together on Twitter to remember the system and its greatest titles, with some users also taking the time to remember its less-popular successor, the PlayStation Vita.
ThePlayStation Portablesaw two redesigns in the form of the PSP-2000 and PSP-3000 which featured different form factors and screen adjustments, while the console itself came built in with WLAN functionality and wi-fi compatibility, along with built in radio services. The handheld also featured the ability to download games from the PlayStation Network, which would later go on to inspire the all-digital model,the PSP Go. The PSP’s PlayStation Store was delisted in 2016, however digital PSP games can still be purchased through the PlayStation Store using a web browser or PlayStation Vita, as the system was backwards compatible with the PSP.
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Many people have mentioned how the PlayStation Portable was ahead of its time for a console released in 2004, only 4 years after the PlayStation 2. Supporting visuals that gave some home console titles a run for their money, many PSP titles such asGrand Theft Auto: Liberty City StoriesandRatchet & Clank: Size Matterseven received portsfrom PSP to PS2. Many PS2 franchises such asGrand Theft Autoalso saw continuations on the PSP. Another largely influential and under-appreciated element of the PSP was the use of unique UMD discs, which inspired many companies to release a large catalogue of films on the format.
While it may have been discontinued a long time ago now, it’s clear that many fans still have very fond memories on the PSP and its library, with many gamers still holding the console and its library in high regard. Disappointingly, itdoesn’t look likelythat Sony has any current intentions of releasing a new handheld system after it failed to market the PlayStation Vita effectively, leaving the console without any major first-party support and with most of its exclusivessuch asPersona 4 Goldenmigrating to other platforms over time.
ThePlayStation Portablediscontinued production in January 2014, the PlayStation Vita was discontinued in March 2019.
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