The PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a handheld game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan in December 2004, followed by North America in March 2005. The PSP was designed to compete with other handheld gaming systems like Nintendo’s DS series.
Key features of the PSP included a high-resolution display, multimedia capabilities such as playing videos and music, Wi-Fi connectivity for multiplayer gaming and internet browsing, and the ability to download and play games from Sony’s PlayStation Store. It used a proprietary Universal Media Disc (UMD) format for games and other media, although later models introduced digital downloads as well.
The PSP enjoyed a wide range of games spanning various genres, from popular franchises like Final Fantasy and Metal Gear Solid to original titles developed specifically for the platform. Its sleek design and multimedia capabilities made it a popular choice for portable entertainment beyond gaming.