In countries where Nintendo didn't had official presence (India), PSP was extremely popular. So popular, that my parents and sisters calls my Switch a PSP

Those consoles were the golden age of handheld gaming. For me it was never a competition because each console tried to do something different and stand out rather than copy each other. The PSP was the first console to bring the home console experience to a handheld by offering high quality games, a multi-media experience and a PS store before the App Store was even a thing. The DS on the other hand was Nintendo building on a core design the GBA set before it and taking it to the next level, it was the cheaper console but that dual screen utility is something developers all over the world adored and it created a platform for many amazing games. These consoles are why I love handheld gaming and I can never stop thanking them for it.

"It probably felt like a lifetime" We need more of these. Richard's personality really shines through.

I remember importing my PSP from Lik-Sang back in the day. Kinda sad that Sony eventually sued them into oblivion for exporting PSPs worldwide. I miss Lik-Sang :(

Still have my PSP 3000. What a machine it is. Still works like a gem and the battery still last 6hrs. Havent changed it at all. With soft mods makes it an awesome retro machine that can emulate most older games i.e. snes, nes gba etc. Loving these video series btw!

Honestly both handhelds were so great for their time, truly the best era of handhelds. Sadly with smartphones we will never see such devotion to pure handheld gaming again. The DS lite straight up had over 15 hours of battery life. It's funny how people mocked the PSP over its 5 hour battery, but nowadays the switch can only push 3. Both devices are still absolutely worth owning today and each have an amazing library of games to play. Here's hoping the switch can live up to such a grand legacy.

The PSP introduced me to so many franchises i love. Monster Hunter and Persona come to mind

I love how you roast these old conferences, it's like watching Beavis and Butthead when they made fun of music videos LOL

The psp was mind blowing, I remember playing Tony Hawks Underground 2 and Twisted Metal and just being dumbfounded.

The time I had with my PSP was amazing! I got Kingdom Hearts, Dissidia Final Fantasy, Metal Gear, and Crisis Core. The last game being only playable on my PSP as far as I know. It may not have done as well as the DS but it was my handheld of choice at the time. An excellent piece of hardware

Watching this with my psp laying on my table 50cm away from me. Such a glorious device.

"kicking ass and taking names" god damn you reggie lol

the psp, the most successful non-Nintendo portable console

I remember when the idea of Reggie being this tough, intimidating badass was basically a meme within the gaming community. There was this magazine I used to buy in the mid 2000s which joked about it pretty often. His public image really changed since then. i think the switch happened in 2007 or so. Btw, I found it funny how much cooler the prototype of the DS looks compared to the final product. I really like the first model of the ds, but I think it was really ugly looking, especially because of all of those holes for the audio. I would have really preferred that other design. Also, I think that the Wii still wasn't that well finalized at this point. Iwata in this conference said that they didn't want to focus on power, but he also said something like "don't worry, the graphics will still make you say "wow"". I think that they originally didn't intended to rehash the GameCube hardware. Some former Factor 5 employees confirm this theory: since they were working close to Nintendo back then, they had access to some of the first prototypes of the Revolution and apparently those were as powerful as the Xbox 360, more or less. Also, in one of his GDC talks, Iwata stated that back in 2004 they still didn't know precisely how they wanted the Revolution to be "revolutionary", they still had to design the Wiimote. So I suspect that the name of the "Revolution" wasn't a reference to its technology, but to its intent (which was to lure non-gamer to gaming).

DF Retro could easily be its own dedicated channel. It deserves that, in my opinion. DF Retro is to the then, what NoClip is to the now. I should also add that My Life in Gaming is DF Retro's own DigitalFoundry, more like AnalogFoundry, and then some!!!

I remember playing nintendo ds as a teen and it was so cool having nintendo 64 graphics on a handheld in 2004.

satoru iwata was a gem

The PSP was truly ahead of its time. I remember owning three of them (don’t ask why) and it was so much more than a video game console. I often used it as a music player, to browse the internet and yes, I watched movies on the damn thing. It was an amazing device.

I'd listen to an entire Iwata retrospective

The PSP was really ahead of it's time, I remember the last game that I bought before moving on was SOCOM: Fire Team bravo 3 and it was for just 10 dollars/euros (back when they were launching the Essentials titles) Now for the next DF Retro video. It would be interesting to look back at the Xbox 360 reveal (as you guys stated near the end.) or even the whole Xbox One debacle reveal in 2013.

the first porn i ever saw was on a psp

I put so much time into Peace Walker and Dissidia 012. And I experienced many great games like Locoroco 1 and 2, Daxter, Crisis Core, GTA: VCS, Maverick Hunter X, LBP, Ys Seven and Ghost of Sparta. It was a great platform.

RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDGE RACER!

I'm still using my phat PSP, as a portable PSOne.

PSP had some amazing games

In the case of the PSP, it WAS a plastic shell. More importantly the ones that were actually ON were also plastic shells, just built around an LCD displaying an external video feed, as of it were a frame on a small PC monitor. Notice the hard mounting and obviously fake button press. They didn't give specs because they werent final, beyond the dimensions. They didn't show games running on a PSP because those psps couldn't take input. It was all an illusion

Thanks for all of the effort you put in to these videos guys!

At the time of the release of the PSP, I was working at Sony DADC. We were making UMD's before we even knew what they were for. We could buy them for next to nothing so, I had a nice collection before the PSP even released. I could grab a UMD straight off the line and play it on my breaks. They actually encouraged that at the time. That was when physical media still reigned supreme and business was booming. I LOVED my PSP, especially working there.

Still have my Day 1(Europe launch, Sept. 1, 2005) PSP1000, still works flawlessly. For years it has been my go to emulation machine. I replayed so many of the old Gameboy, Ps1 and SNES games I played as a kid on it. The library of PSP games was also impressive. Even though it was outsold by the DS by 2:1, 80 million units sold for Sonys 1st handheld is extremely impressive. In fact, for my tastes, handheld gaming was so good last gen that I only very late in the gen got a home console. I think I only got a used Xbox360 and Ps3 in 2012 or something like that.

PSP + jailbreak = heaven

i love this in-depth content on older moments in the gaming industry. keep this content up, it's probably my favorite thing to watch!

Thank you SO MUCH Digital Foundry for making these kinds of videos!! I absolutely LOVE your analysis of gaming history. PLEASE continue to make more of these videos!!

I feel like the multimedia functionality of the psp and the touchscreen of the DS set the framework of what a modern smartphone is

one hour of DF retro, here we go

I love these types of videos, very relaxing and interesting look at history.

This is great. Like two knowledgeable mates reliving gaming memories - keep it coming!

These videos have been great. John and Rich make a good duo, and it's a lot of fun looking back on these presentations. Looking forward to the Xbox 360 video!

Ridge racer type 4 soundtrack at the beginning of the vid...awesome choice!

this series is great! Even though I've been a Patreon before, this entry convinced me to come back permanently. Looking forward to future episodes

An hour of DF Retro! Yes please! Love my PSP still, such a great console still to this day.

Love the Ridge Racer music!

Absolutely love these videos! I never had PSP and deeply regret selling my OLED Vita.

You guys have tapped into a whole new nostalgic well. I think there will be plenty of fuel down there. I hope you guys keep doing videos like this.

I love these flash back commentaries from past E3s. This is a great lead up for E3 2018. Keep em coming.

I just pulled my old psp from the drawers, and playing on it again made me realize what a revolutionary device this was. I spent so much time on this thing, I wish I could travel back in time and experience all this awesomeness from the psp as a kid again.

I loved how the DS was very multiplayer oriented. DS download play was amazing. With a lot of games you only needed 1 copy and you could play multiplayer. Not to mention the novelty of that little chat room where you could connect to your friends and draw stuff. Or playing Animal crossing and joining each other's towns. Pokemon diamond and pearl with their underground multiplayer crystal mining thing. Metroid Prime hunters is the only handheld FPS multiplayer game I can remember, and it's glorious once you get used to it. I have so many memories of playing DS with my friends.

2004, what a year for gaming. Halo 2 and the best handheld ever made in the same month? Take me back.

I loved the last retro E3 throwback! Happy you guys did another one!

You guys really should consider selling DF retro DVDs as merchandise. I'm sure they would fly off the shelf I absolutely love the show.

PSP is a phenomenal device. The day I got mine and played Wipeout Pure for the first time was absolutely mind bending. Now I have the Ys games, Lunar, Breath Of fire, Gradius Collection, Valkyria Chronicles II... So many awesome games.

Loved this video format. Looking forward for new ones.

Great format and retrospective. Thanks DF!

i recently bought a psp very cheap, bought some secondhand classic gow umds and 2 64gb memory cards,popped up some jrpgs,emulators and maybe iam set for my gaming life,psp is certainly ahead of its time...glad i got that..anyone else missing out?grab a psp..u wont regret....

(PSP)First gaming device I ever owned. Will always have a soft spot in my heart

Always look forward to these videos!

thank you so much for these videos. it is always great to remember where we came from technologically.

The PSP did have shaders 2 Pixel shaders and 1 Vertex shader! So impressive for a handheld of the era, not even the PS2 or 3DS actually had true shaders

Oh hell yes! New DF Retro is always a treat! Gonna watch this now. Do you think one day you could do a DF Retro on Jet Set Radio? I think it would be really interesting to get a retrospective on the game that pretty much invented cel shading...

Thx for the awesome video DF!

This was GREAT guys, thanks!👍

I remember the PSP launch so well. Took me about 4 PSPs to get it right because each one had dead pixel issues.

Yes! just what i needed to have a good sunday.

Awe man.. this takes me back to when I was 18. I worked a last minute job my dad's buddy needed. It was construction, hauling concrete into a truck and drilling holes with an auger (building a park). 10 hours later, $500 later I was at "target" buying a PSP, MLB, NHL and "hellboy" then off to the airport and flying to Texas on vacation. Good little system, saw "hellboy" on it for the first time, listened to mp3s on it. Way ahead of it's time.

Love these videos and longer videos like this! Keep em coming !

I see the Switch as a spiritual successor the PSP consoles (including the Vita). The PSP was groundbreaking when it came out. Console quality games on the go is pretty much what the Switch is selling us today. And despite being a major source of headache, I loved the UMDs. When you bought a physical copy, it actually felt like you bought something tangible as opposed to the small cartridges of Vita and Switch. I mean I get why Sony and Nintendo went for cartridges but holding a UMD actually felt like I am holding something cool and awesome. Also, the PSP was built like a fucking tank. PSP and PS2 was the golden age for Sony Computer Entertainment.

*PSP WAS A GEM*

The first time I saw the PSP was in an import tech shop next to Manchester Picadilly train station in February 2005, which was over 6 months before the official UK release. The guy in the shop kindly brought it out of the display case to let me have a go on it, and it genuinely felt like something from the future with all of its features, utterly jaw dropping. I'd say it impressed me even more than when I first tried out an iPhone back in 2008. I was tempted to buy it, but it was a Japanese import and the price was I think £350, maybe even more and 18 year old student me couldn't really afford it, so I decided to wait.

Please keep these coming. They’re great!

I see and hear Baten Kaitos :( Underrated gem

The two best handhelds in the 7th generation! I find both systems better than the 3DS & Vita.

I remember seeing the PSP for the first time in a freshman college programming class. A friend just handed it to me and said hey check this thing out. I was blown away by Ridge Racer. I finally bought my own a year after it was released. I have fond memories of PSP. I really wish they would make a Ridge Racer for Switch.

Starting the video with some R4 bgm makes me feel like I'm really back at Real Racing Roots '99!

I love how the psp used in the reveal panel looks like it's been used, with smudges and bits on the screen, that's something that just wouldn't be tolerated anymore, its like our expectations and standards have sub-consciously improved.

i love the R4 ost in the backround

Over 1 hour long DF Retro episode. Oh boy, Christmas came early this year.

I love this style of video More would be great to see

I always wanted a PSP, it looks like a pretty cool system. I’m definitely going to have to pick one up at some point. Still, the DS was just too amazing not to have back in the day.

Reasons I bought my DS - Hotel Dusk The Last Window Ace Attorney series Mario Kart Mario 64 DS. Reasons I bought my PSP - The 2 Ace Combat games Dissidia FF & 012 KH Birth By Sleep MGS Peace Walker GTA Liberty City Stories GTA Vice City Stories I love both but the PSP just edges it for me console and games and bonus you can play PS1 games and watch UMD movies 🎥

And here I was just looking online for a quality replacement housing to give my PSP 1000 life again. Well done!

AWESOME! I Can’t Wait to Watch this Later!

I hope you will do a video about the Wii U, it would be very interesting

tfw the 360 didn't have wi-fi...

"curved surfaces" is a reference to nurb based modelling support at the hardware level, which really didn't get used by devs.

That Ridge Racer remix at the end LMAO. John makes the best video editing in DF.

It's not necessarily correct to say that "PSP has skipped a generation". Because GBA wasn't "basically SNES", it was in between SNES and N64 in terms of graphical capabilities. And PSP was right in between PS1 and PS2. So it was a generation, precisely and exactly.

@DigitalFoundry Wow. Was it really 2004 when PSP and DS was announced? 14 years... I think the main weaknesses with the PSP is the UMD format, the proprietary charge cable, and the battery. The DS is basically like an overclocked GBA

Man i hope they keep making these

I like the background music in this documentary length analysis.

PSPs are going up in value now. Being able to play the entire PS1 library and the entire retro emulator library is amazing.

GTA on the go won me over the Nintendo DS. Such great memories made with the PSP.

Great vid. Took me right back. I remember also paying a fortune for the PSP on import and being blown away by ridge racer; and then being quite disappointed when I got the DS (the 1st version wasn’t so pretty)....until I started playing and it was so much fun. Dr kawashima brain training was great.

oooh the future of gaming dvds! I have these including tgs and the other e3s from lik Sang, i like watching them from time to time.

did I see an early fruit ninja on the DS at the presentation?

I grew up with both systems. They were both just incredible. I would play bigger games on my PSP, and I would play Nintendo games on my DS. Personally, I preferred my DS. That's mostly due to how reliable the hardware was.

All these years later and I'm still playing my PSP and DS. Quality hardware with so many damn good games!

Keep doing these!

I traded in my DS for a psp, because the DS had like 2 games for it's first 2 years. At least it felt like 2 years at the time.

The PSP was born with a dirty screen already. Anyway, for me, was the best handheld ever. Still playing today.

Wow I love the idea of these videos !

Love these E3 videos!!