When Was the PSP Release Date?
First released by Sony in Japan in 2004, the PSP was considered the most powerful portable video game console when it was first introduced. It received several model refreshes before being replaced by the PlayStation Vita in 2011. While all of Sony’s PSPs had—with the exception of the PSPgo—basically the same form factor, there are some important differences. Here’s a rundown of each device, and the PlayStation Vita, with links to detailed specs.
PSP-1000
It seems a bit heavy and clunky now, but when the PSP first came out it was sleek, shiny, and powerful. The screen was bright enough and big enough to make watching movies a great on-the-go experience, even if the games weren’t as graphically detailed as their full-sized console cousins. The original PSP was envisioned as a multi-media device, with the hardware to handle movies, music, photos, and games.
PSP-2000
The second PSP model was dubbed the “PSP Slim” (or “PSP Slim and Lite” in Europe) by fans, because it significantly reduced the thickness and weight of the original device. Hardware changes were fairly minimal, but included an improved screen, a better UMD door, and a faster processor. A few switches were moved around to accommodate the thinner silhouette. Sony also added Skype to the firmware, so the PSP could even be used as a phone.
PSP-3000
The main change to the third PSP model (aside from a somewhat improved battery) was the brighter LCD screen, leading to the nickname “PSP Brite” Early on, some users claimed they could see scan lines on the screen. Many people decided to stick with the earlier 2000 model as a result. There don’t seem to be problems with the screen anymore, however, and the PSP-3000 is generally considered the best of the four PSPs (unless you’re a hardcore homebrewer, in which case the PSP-1000 is preferred for the ability to downgrade the firmware).
PSPgo
The PSPgo is obviously different from its siblings, though the differences are primarily cosmetic. Aside from the complete lack of a UMD drive, it functions much the same as the PSP-3000, but in a smaller, more portable size.
PSP-E1000
The PSP-E1000 was a bit of a surprise announcement at Sony’s 2011 Gamescom press conference. It features a minor cosmetic redesign, and loses the WiFi featured in other models. It also has mono instead of stereo sound and a slightly smaller screen than the other PSP models (not counting the PSPgo).
PS Vita
The PlayStation Vita doesn’t sports a bigger, brighter, higher-resolution screen without increasing size too drastically. It’s also considerably more powerful than its predecessors. Most importantly, it features backwards-compatibility for some downloadable PSP games.
