Retronauts is Down with PSP

On this week's installment of USgamer's classic gaming podcast, we look at the legacy of Sony's first portable.

Article by Bob Mackey Contributor

Updated on Feb. 7, 2016

This article first appeared on USgamer, a partner publication of VG247. Some content, such as this article, has been migrated to VG247 for posterity after USgamer's closure - but it has not been edited or further vetted by the VG247 team.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's time once again for an episode of Retronauts that will make you realize something which shouldn't be old actually is. (This may be a recurring theme from here on out.)

Yes, we're quickly creeping up on the 11th anniversary of the PSP's launch in America, giving us a chance to sit back and ponder what life before smartphones could have possibly been like. Prior to the age of predatory free-to-play games pimped by slumming pop stars, you needed a dedicated device to game on the go, and Sony did their best to prevent this act from looking incredibly dorky. As video games shed their "just for kids" stigma in the aughts, the PSP existed as a testament to just how cool gaming could be. Along with its notable library, the PSP could also play videos, mp3s, and help you surf the Internet—everything necessary for your way past cool mid-00s lifestyle.

It didn't take long for the magic to fade, though: The PSP had roughly three years of relevance before releases slowed to a trickle—even if we'll see one new game for it in 2016. Piracy, the rise of smartphones, and aging hardware eventually sunk Sony's first portable, but since it had the luxury of existing when handheld systems truly mattered, the PSP saw an incredible collection of games in its 11 years and counting. Along with introducing the world to Monster Hunter, the PSP was home to an incredible collection of RPGs—though we'll have to wait for fan translations to play some of the later ones that never made it to the States. Simply put, there's a whole lot to unravel with the PSP, so that's exactly what we did for 90 minutes. Hope you don't mind.

Joining us on this one is Mikel Reparaz, who hosts the Vidjagame Apocalypse podcast, and our old friend Ray Barnholt. As always, you can keep up with the latest Retronauts news via our Twitter and Facebook accounts, and check out some of our video content over on our YouTube page. And, in case you forgot, Retronauts is fully funded by our Patreon campaign, so if you can afford to donate even a dollar a month, please consider it! Every little bit really helps our cause.