PSP's big leap

The PSP was Sony's first foray into the handheld gaming market, released after the Nintendo DS, and with that system squarely in its sights. Flashy, bold, sleek and sexy, it was a very impressive piece of tech when it launched in 2005. Initial sales were good off the back of the 'wow' factor, greater computing power, and some genuinely cool games, but a subsequent lack of support software-wise has seen sales slow considerably.

Feature packed handheld device

The Playstation Portable features a glorious widescreen display (just be careful not to scratch it), a mini USB port, wi-fi, proprietary MD drive (Universal Media Disc) and a memory card slot. The PSP is compatible with the Playstation gaming consoles (PS3), meaning you can download and play PS1 games on it. The PSP unit also has a fully functioning - but notoriously clunky - internet browser, an analogue control nub, and the XMB (cross media bar), which is the same user interface as featured in the PS3.

PSP revisions and improvements

Since the initial successful launch of the PSP, the system has had two major revisions. The PSP Slim and Lite " released in 2007 " featured (obviously) a slimmer and significantly lighter design, with enhanced features including USB charging, a doubling of the RAM and a noticeably brighter screen.

Less than a year later, additional features, including a microphone and improved video-out options, were added, and the unit named the PSP-3000. These enhancements have made the device smaller and lighter and faster, while still maintaining the kick-arse screen which the device is revered amongst gamers for.

PSP games and more!

Games include the brilliant Lumines, Everybody's Golf (not a typo!), God of War, the GTA series, two superb instalments of Sony's Wipeout franchise and most other major franchises. Unfortunately the quality of releases has been patchy at best, with the system often seen as a dumping ground for portable versions of PS2 games.

More than just a games console, the PSP also comes equipped with diverse input/output connectors, including USB 2.0 and 802.11b (Wi-Fi) wireless LAN, which provides connectivity to various devices in the home. It is through these capabilities that you are able to access the Remote Play features, connecting with a Playstation 3 console. Some of the features that can be used with the Remote Play function include viewing photos and slideshows, listening to music and watching videos that are stored n the PS3's HDD. You can use the Playstation Portable to turn the PS3 on and off remotely, and it also allows you to play audio from the PS3 through a home theatre system without having to use the television.

PSP movies - a risky experiment

With the PSP, Sony tried to get other movie companies to jump on the UMD bandwagon. Some films were released on this format. However, movie watching never really took off; they're difficult to watch on the device because you have to hold the unit the whole time. The format was a complete flop.

PSP Go smaller and (maybe) better

In the lead-up to Christmas 2009, Sony released the slide-top PSP Go. The most notable changes in this iteration include Bluetooth, a smaller screen and an even lighter weight. Flash memory has replaced the 'MD' drive. Games are only available online through the ever-clunky wi-fi connection to the Playstation Store, and the failed experiment with movie viewing has been dumped altogether.

While any new release from Sony is greeted with some excitement, it remains to be seen if this device has any genuine purpose, with early reaction from gamers ranging from guarded to scathing. Still, the PSP will remain a highly versatile handheld gaming and computer system.