True story: Most of the developers I worked at as a PSP coder had to use soft modded consumer PSPs to develop and test games on because Sony couldn't make Devkits quick enough. We had the money to buy the kits but they were not available, or swallowed up by more 'important' studios.

Devkits fascinate me. It's just that mix of obscure old tech, something that at the time very few people would have access to, and insights into how games are/were made for console platforms.

Some other memories of early PSP dev: The local wireless mode (called Ad Hoc Mode, I think) used wires in the first batch of dev kits so our QA team had these wires running across the room. Also, the first few iterations of the dev kits had very different screens. I think Sony was trying to figure out which screen to go with - viewing angle was the difference I remember the most. One challenge I remember is that all our development before we got kits was assuming the PSP would run at 333 MHz. However, soon after we got the kits we were informed that the PSP would be locked at 222 MHz due to battery life concerns. This sucked because we had to take out a lot of physics objects which weren't critical to the game but added some extra fun. At some point Sony opened up the PSP to full 333 MHz but it was too late for our launch titles. Also, if I recall, the PSP Dev Kit has 64 MB of RAM which could be toggled on or off using one of the dip-switches. The dip-switches were good for lots of things. I recall we used one for taking screenshots. We were working on a title for Japan launch and all the TRC documents were in Japanese so we had one staff member translate each new version. One scary part was that a TRC for "Sleep Mode" was blank for our entire development. We were nearing Beta and one of the engineers asked QA if sleep mode was causing any issues and the QA guy was like, "What's sleep mode?" Ahhhh! Who could blame him...the TRC was blank and nobody had mentioned it before then. Luckily we didn't have any major issues with sleep mode on that game. On subsequent games, sleep mode testing was a huge part of the QA effort, and a source of some of the most frustrating bugs to fix.

I wish you had shown a simple hello world example for showcasing how to develop games on the PSP Devkit. Nevertheless, great video as always!

I love how yellow the case already is despite the PSP not feeling SO old. A local TV channel had those devkits as well to showcase new PSP games to viewers which makes it just as memorable to me as the DS dev kits.

The PSP was such a good handheld. It proved with games like the GTA Stories and Metal Gear series that games didn't need to be huge in file size to look and run great. Now I need 100 gigs just to play online multiplayer.

I like that the devkit just looks like those regular old computers (instead of having a black case and a different design) It looks dope and that DVD option is dope too.

One issue with the DVD drive is that the read-speed from DVD is much faster than from UMD. To compensate we created a "UMD emulation" mode that artificially slowed the read speed on the DVD build. One time we did a pre-submission to Sony and got our lot of UMDs and they all ran incredibly slowly. Yup, we submitted a build with the UMD emulation so we were artificially slowing the read speed of the already slower UMDs.

My favourite handheld system of all time, still play my PSP regularly. Seriously cool to check this Devkit thanks MVG

Back in the day, my employer had the PSP-Movie DevKit. One of the main purposes of having the video output to a CRT monitor was to ensure the video encoding was correct. The PSP screen was able to playback video at 59.96fps but the CRT would playback at 29.97, resulting in the video frames being interlaced. If the video compressionist (back then authors did the video compression - I did at least) encoded the video with the incorrect field flag (top or bottom first), it would be very hard to notice on the PSP screen but on a CRT, it was glaringly obvious. An example of fields being encoded incorrectly and reaching retail is Rob Zombie’s Hellbilly Deluxe UMD.

Had a great time sending this out to you!

The foot switch is from T-15Ks, mostly used for profiling so you can play the game and get it to a part that is dropping frames, then you hit the switch to start perf capture.

I had such a love for the PSP as a kid, at one point I tried designing a console conversion of a PSP with a front mounted UMD drive just like this. The difference was that my knowledge of electronics was limited (I was 12 I think?) and I thought I'd need to use a parallel cable to be able to run all of the controller wires to the PCB. Needless to say I was absolutely astonished when I learned about this dev kit a few years later. Feels good to see someone covering it in the flesh.

From what I know, the memory options ( 32MB and 64MB ) were there because the PSP 1000 only had 32 MB of ram while all the other revisions had 64 ( 2000, 3000, E1000, GO )

I remember seeing these when I did game testing for Sony in 2009. I always thought it was cool that it had a umd drive on the front 👍🏻

About Component output -- PSP actually did have an official Component (as well as composite) cable out to TV. I've been playing my PSP on TV''s for about 10 years with the component cable. It's pretty sweet!

The DECR-1000 (ps3 devkit) also comes with a footswitch (which incidentally is fully compatible with the DTP-T1000) Sadly, it appears no games (at least none released nor prototypes in the wild) made use of the footswitch (some did made use of the GPIO however)

So, the devs could literally step through the code. 😁

I love the PSP! MVG's mod scene console was the OG Xbox, mine was PSP. Made themes, ported games, CFW for days. I own 7 of them all different colors. Removed the UMD drive and soldered cell phone batteries in them. There was a hack for a camera MS DUO adapter with that I had 256gb of Games and Emulators. So happy to see this. Brings the memory's back. May charge one tonight! Thanks MVG!

Retrogametech managed to get hold of the PSP part of the kit, he took it apart to see if it was a full unit or just a display and controller, it was the latter.

The footswitch idea for halting execution is a very good one when you have both of your hands potentially busy while attempting to get the game in a certain state. Awesome material, as always! I hope someday a Super Emulator SE lands in your lap, bet it would be a treat for all of us.

The psp looked so futuristic, it would still fit today with an upgraded screen against the vita or switch while the de kit looks so ancient

I’ve never owned a PSP. But it’s still great to see how it’s games were made. Excellent work MVG!

I've never seen or heard of the foot switch on these things, I'm guessing it wasn't widely used since it wasn't seen in any other kits?

This reminds me, I created a few simple games on my modded PSP in Lua without any devkit. It was actually some of the first programming I ever did! You could say the PSP got me into it. Incredible find and a cool piece of history.

The screen on that dev kit looked like it hadn't even remotely seen a speck of dust. That was impressive. On an unrelated note, firmware 6.61 was the final revision for the PSP. On a second unrelated note, the PSP is still my favorite handheld of all time. Anyway, thank you for this video. It was pretty awesome as always.

I love these dev kit vídeos, from all systems. Problem is, I'm still waiting to see someone actually developing a game using them.

I loved my PSP in the early 2010s and love it in the early 2020s as well :) Had almost 10 years break from it as I broke my old one but 2021 was the year I got another one!

Ouy of ANY system I have EVER wanted to own, THIS SPECIFIC one, is one I have always wanted to own. The PSP Amused me and Mesmerized me as a child. To own a development console would be absolutely bonkers.

Can confirm, that store in Taipei is great, the shop keep is very helpful!

There are versions of retail psp with 64 mb ram, the first versions had only 32mb. So that is why you have a switch on the dev kit!

DevKits are so cool! I'm happy that I get to have a look at these awesome kits through your channel.

Also the external screen monitor was also used alot for QA. Often at SCEE we would have to record the footage for bugs and the external output allowed us to do that. :) Don't miss lugging these around SCEE let me tell you!

The footswitch for debugging is just such an hilariously interesting oddity. XD

The PSP was such a good portable console and modding them made them even better. Had good times playing games with my brothers. One thing I hate about Australia it's hard to get dev kits here would love to mess with dev kits.

I’ve been to that store many times! The collection there is awesome, and the quality is excellent, yet the price is kinda high IMO. The store’s name is pronounced “Shí guāng Wu”, which means “Time House” in Chinese.

MVG - Your audience really gets to know you well from your videos. Love seeing you talk about your interests in hacking, porting, homebrew, and tinkering with consoles. Your work on the OG XBOX was so great to experience back in the day. PSP was the ultimate portable homebrew machine... this thing was a big part of my life back in the day.

I'm irrationally angry that he couldn't be bothered to show what the backside of the psp looks like.

Wait, hold on. I had a dream of being in that store myself. I dreamt about it months ago. Bizarre that it's actually real

Just when I was curious how psp games where developed and tested, the notification poped up Nice timing as usual MVG :)

0:11 "Hot-ing up?" The man is so into the 2000's golden age he straight up forgot grammar existed.

It would be great to get a Sony insider overview on how Sony salvaged and repurposed their mini-disc format into the UMD format. A young gamer or user who frequently played on Sony PSP using UMDs probably wouldn't know or realize the UMD started off right around when Mini Disc players were disappearing from market.

i like the boxiness of the devkit and the yellow front face with the sony in the top left corner with all the little lights just does something for me 🤩

Just going to say, that is a lovely looking hardware package, a small capable beige box, very early 00’s and late 90’s aesthetic.

This brings back memories working at Sony QA in Foster City, CA.

The development kits are really interesting to look at

I've been to that store! Their selection is awesome, I got a ton of Saturn stuff when I visited. There are actually a few really cool retro game stores in the Taipei Underground Mall, it was hard not to blow my entire travel budget when I visited

I wanna see this gem retrobrighted.

Boy, do I love the PSP. I think it's my favorite portable console to this day. Three GTA games and many emulators game me TONS of stuff to play.

This is one of my favorite channels by far. Every video is informative.

the footswitch to stop the code execution is awesome! reminds me of a emergency stop in heavy industry machines. 😅

These uploads are getting better and better. Good work, kiddo !

I always love watching these videos for two specific reasons: 1) Love the channel and information that MVG provides, simple enough for the commonfolk but also enough dev terminology and stuff for sw devs to enjoy the innards of them. 2) Comment section usually has a lot of messages from another developers and people in the business that share REALLY interesting data that you could never knew other way :D

I remember having a psp 3000. What an amazing system for the time

The last segment showing that store, love electronics stores like that. Never know what you're gonna find.

I wish people still developed games for this console using these Dev Kits. The games are worth playing and worth to stay in the market as well.

That's actually a really cool piece of retro tech.

Interesting video for sure, but it was a nice bonus to see the Detective Conan movie posted for the scarlet bullet on the wall outside of the store, really made me happy!! lol

Okay but I want that breakpoint pedal for my normal software dev work, now......

I'd love to see more devkit videos from you! These are so interesting

As a game developer, I used the foot switch on the PS3 devkit to toggle noclip or godmode on/off. Was really handy since that is something you use frequently during development.

i used this kit daily when i worked for sony in san diego. We never played games that were not released on it on my team. but tested patches on new games and make sure they didnt have issues.

I remember working with these back when I did a contract QA gig at SCEA

That devkit looks absolutely vintage. Pre-2000s.

Ive been waiting for this video for a loooong time

I've been to that mall in Taipei, it's really cool, like all of Tokyo's Akihabara in one mall.

Thanks for sharing this is awesome to see 😄

Ahh, this brings back a few memories. I was using these daily in the late 2000s. Fun times. Those handsets were a pain in the backside though, always getting knocked off the desk/nearly bringing the kit with it. A bunch of us put velcro on ours to stick it to the top of the kit when we weren't using it.

Ahh PSP, home of many obscure and awesome JRPGs that never left Japan

that shop is located in the shopping area of the underground of taipei station. some yrs before I got a scratched PS2 DVD that cannot be read from the console or PC. I bring it along with me in one travel trip to Taiwan. There is a shop providing a polishing service for my disc that I cannot find any of similar service in Hong Kong. I finally got the disc readable again and that is fantastic.

7:31 latest PSP FW is 6.61. Sony released that update in 2015 (lol)

I still have my good ol’ PSP 3004 to play games on. And it still works like a charm.

The original psp (1000) had 32 MB. The models after the original psp (2000+) (non phat ones) had 64 MB. T hat's probably why there was an option to switch on the devkit.

The psp was a awesome system

Wow! This is the History Channel I need!!! Amazing video man, just amazing!!! 👍

thats AWESOME!!! - hopefully you can make something on it and show us a lil demo or something :D

i really like the way that computer case looks.

TIL about the phrase "hotting up." I dig it

Oh god, spicy memories of the ProDG target manager for ps3 and the dice roll of the SDK install.

that foot pedal is so tactical, I love it

I spent a couple years of my life working on a PSP dev kit. Loads of memories. Lol. Get it?!?

Heeeey! I remember these! I used to work in Sony's first party QA department. Had rows and rows of these things for testing first party titles in the various testing bays.

MVG videos cover the most fascinating tech on youtube, great work. I would like to see you make some hour long documentaries on this kind of tech like Gaming Historian style, though I'm sure it would take too long to produce without a team and large budget.

I'VE SEEN ONE BEFORE! 😮 Took me a minute into the video to realize this. Ages ago, I did game testing for a focus group. My mind was blown they had a room of these PSPs connected to computer-like hardware. Also blown away when one of the staff popped in a burned disc into the drive and the PSP booted the game from it. Don't remember the game name, but it was a FPS.

What a great console, it must have been a blast to own.

That Dev Kit had taken some UV rays god damn

Thanks for this! I've always been curious as to what the development environments for various consoles look like and how they work. The foot switch is actually a really great idea. I mean, if you have both hands on the controller (which you would be, if you were play testing) and you're trying to catch an elusive bug, you might miss the exact right moment to halt the game if you have to take your hands off the controller and reach over and click a breakpoint button or something.

Definitely checking out the store soon. Never felt so blessed working abroad in Taipei 🤩

It is always interesting to see these kits in terms of their size. Vita is a handheld device, and this thing is literally a PC case.

YES GREAT TIMING IVE BEEN INTO PSP VIDEOS LATELY

PSP is the most underappreciated PlayStation in my book. Love the PSP and the DS as well.

It makes me curious, this type of devkits are as necessary now days? I mean, it seems unlikely that indie developers, for example, would have access to this type of hardware, it seems to me that developing on PC and using retail hardware (with dev features enabled) would be good enough for most small projects

Nice to see a piece of hardware history for the PSP. It could use a little retrobright treatment to make it new again!

Foot switches are used in dictation typing pools regularly to pause the audio playback of what is being typed up, this is where i first saw them. I do like this usage though.

I just realized how crazy it is that there's a disc drive in a small handheld

I was hoping you'd do a PSP Dev kit since you did the NDS. Having had both consoles, I love seeing how similar and different the two brands do things.

The devkit looks like a PSP on a PC tower, strapped on the back of a PSP, that's interesting, is that thing very rare to collect tho. I miss my PSP-3000, such a nostalgia

I bet The 8-bit Guy would be thrilled to do a retrobright on this.

That foot stop peddle reminds me of the old action replay for pc to hex edit and cheat on games very old and it wasn't a foot peddle it was a hand one with button what sat on desk brought back some old memories thinking of that lol.

really enjoy these dev kit vids! thank you!