PlayStation Portable · Lablypedia

Development of the PSP was announced during E3 2003, and the console was unveiled at a Sony press conference on May 11, 2004. The system was the most powerful portable video game console at the time of its introduction, and was the first viable competitor to Nintendo's handheld consoles after many challengers such as Nokia's N-Gage and Sega's Game Gear had failed or underperformed. The PSP's advanced graphics capabilities made it a popular mobile entertainment device, which could connect to the PlayStation 3, select PlayStation 2 games, any computer with a USB interface, other PSP systems, and the Internet. The PSP also had a vast array of multimedia features such as video playback and audio playback, leading some to classify it as a portable media player as well. The PSP is the only handheld console to use an optical disc format, the Universal Media Disc, as its primary storage medium; both games and movies were released on the format.

The PSP was received positively by critics. The system sold over 80 million units during its ten-year lifetime, making it the best selling handheld video game console of all time not made by Nintendo. Several models of the console were released, including the PSP Street and the PSP Go. The PSP line was succeeded by the PlayStation Vita, released in Japan in December 2011 and worldwide in February 2012. The Vita has backward compatibility with PSP games that were released on the PlayStation Network through the PlayStation Store, though the PSP's storefront was shut down in 2016. Hardware shipments of the PSP ended worldwide in 2014; production of UMDs ended when the last Japanese factory producing them closed in late 2016.

History

Sony Computer Entertainment first announced development of the PlayStation Portable at a press conference preceding E3 2003. Although samples were not presented, Sony released extensive technical details. CEO Ken Kutaragi called the device the "Walkman of the 21st century", a reference to the console's multimedia capabilities. Several gaming websites were impressed with the handheld's computing capabilities, and looked forward to its potential as a gaming platform.

In the 1990s, Nintendo had dominated the handheld market since launching its Game Boy in 1989, experiencing close competition only from Sega's Game Gear (1990–1997) and Bandai's WonderSwan (1999–2001) and WonderSwan Color (2000–2004) in Japan. In January 1999, Sony released the PocketStation in Japan as its first foray into the handheld gaming market. The SNK Neo Geo Pocket and Nokia's N-Gage also failed to cut into Nintendo's share. According to an IDC analyst in 2004, the PSP was the "first legitimate competitor to Nintendo's dominance in the handheld market".

The first concept images of the PSP appeared at a Sony corporate strategy meeting in November 2003, and featured a model with flat buttons and no analog joystick. Although some reviewers expressed concern about the lack of an analog stick, these fears were allayed when the PSP was officially unveiled at the Sony press conference during E3 2004. Sony released a list of 99 developer companies that pledged support for the new handheld. Several game demos such as Konami's Metal Gear Acid and Studio Liverpool's Wipeout Pure were also shown at the conference.

The PSP's development posed several challenges for Sony and third-party developers, with battery life being a primary concern. To address this, Sony implemented power management strategies, including restricting the CPU to two-thirds of its full speed for the first few years. The Universal Media Disc (UMD) drive was another significant hurdle, as it drained the battery and had slow read speeds. Developers had to optimize their game data layout to minimize disc access and reduce power consumption. These limitations sometimes led to performance constraints and long loading times, with some titles like WWE SmackDown! vs. Raw 2006 experiencing load times of up to two minutes for certain scenes. Methods to alleviate loading times included a cache for UMD data on models after the 1000, and later games giving the option to partially install data onto the Memory Stick to reduce load times.

Launch

On October 18, 2004, Sony announced that the PSP base model would be launched in Japan on December 11 that year for ¥19,800 (about US$181 in 2004) while the Value System would launch for ¥24,800 (about US$226). The launch was a success, with over 200,000 units sold on the first day of sales. Color variations were sold in bundle packs that cost around $200. On February 3, 2005, Sony announced that the PSP would be released in North America on March 24 in one configuration for an MSRP of US$249/CA$299. Some commentators expressed concern over the high price, which was almost US$20 higher than that of the Japanese model and over $100 higher than the Nintendo DS. Despite these concerns, the PSP's North American launch was a success; Sony said 500,000 units were sold in the first two days of sales, though it was also reported that this figure was below expectations.

The PSP was originally intended to have a simultaneous European and North American launch, but on March 15, 2005, Sony announced that the European launch would be delayed due to high demand for the console in Japan and North America. The next month, Sony announced that the PSP would be launched in Europe on September 1, 2005, for €249/£179. Sony defended the high price by saying North American consumers had to pay local sales taxes and that the Value Added Tax (sales tax) was higher in the UK than the US. Despite the high price, the PSP's launch in Europe was a success, with the console selling over 185,000 units in the UK. All stock of the PSP in the UK sold out within three hours of its launch, more than doubling the previous first-day sales record of 87,000 units set by the Nintendo DS. The system also enjoyed great success in other areas of Europe; over 25,000 units were pre-ordered in Australia and nearly one million units were sold across Europe in the system's first week of sales.

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Hardware

PSP-1000

The launch model of the PlayStation Portable, referred to as the PSP-1000, features an oblong form factor measuring 6.7 by 2.9 by 0.9 inches (170 by 74 by 23 mm). The front of the system features the speakers as well as most of the system's controls, including the face buttons, d-pad, and analog stick, with other function buttons below the screen. It also contains the system's 4.3-inch (110 mm) TFT display, which is capable of 480 × 272 pixel display resolution and 24-bit color. The top of the system contains the two shoulder buttons, labelled L and R, the Wireless LAN and UMD eject switches, an IrDA infrared emitter, and a Mini USB port for data transfer. Below the system is the AC-in and 2-pin dock ports for charging, as well as the 3.5 mm audio and remote ports. The left and right sides of the system have the Memory Stick PRO Duo slot and power switch, respectively. The back gives access to the UMD drive and battery slot when either are uncovered. As a whole, the unit weighs 9.9 ounces (280 g).

Internally, the PSP uses two 333 MHz MIPS32 R4000 R4k-based CPUs, a GPU running at 166 MHz, and includes 32 MB main RAM, and 4 MB embedded DRAM split between the GPU and Media Engine. Although the CPU was natively 333 MHz, media would be locked to a maximum of 222 MHz until firmware 3.50 released in May 2007, at which point Sony allowed developers to release new games using higher clock speeds.

The PSP is powered by an 1800 mAh battery that provides about three to six hours of gameplay, four to five hours of video playback, and eight to eleven hours of audio playback. The battery completes a full charge after about 1.5 hours.

Revisions

PSP-2000

At E3 2007, Sony announced a new revision of the PSP. The PSP-2000, marketed in some regions as "PSP Slim & Lite", would first be released in Hong Kong on August 30, 2007, before releasing worldwide in September of that year. The revision would redesign the system to reduce weight and thickness, from 9.87 to 6.66 ounces (280 to 189 g) and from 0.91 to 0.73 inches (23 to 18.6 mm), respectively. In addition, the serial port was modified to add video out support, with support for 480i output of media via composite, S-Video, component, and D-Terminal, with the latter two also supporting game output in 480p.

Other changes include improved WLAN modules, the removal of the IrDA emitter and 2-pin docking port, a simplified UMD drive mechanism, and a thinner, brighter LCD screen. To improve the poor loading times of UMD games on the original PSP, the internal memory (RAM and Flash ROM) was doubled from 32 MB to 64 MB, part of which now acting as a cache, also improving the web browser's performance.

To make the unit slimmer, the capacity of the PSP's battery was reduced from 1800 mAh to 1200 mAh starting with the PSP-2000. The original high-capacity batteries work on newer models, giving increased playing time, though the battery cover does not fit. In March 2008, Sony released the Extended Life Battery Kit in Japan, which included a bulkier 2200 mAh battery with fitting battery covers matching the many PSP variations available. All versions of the North American kit released in December 2008 were supplied with a black and a silver battery cover.

PSP-3000

The PSP-3000 was released in North America on October 14, 2008, in Japan on October 16, in Europe on October 17, and in Australia on October 23.

The PSP-3000, marketed in some areas as "PSP Slim & Lite" or "PSP Brite", was primarily sold as having an improved LCD screen with an increased color range, five times the contrast ratio, a halved pixel response time, new sub-pixel structure, and anti-reflective technology to reduce outdoor glare. The disc tray, logos, and buttons were all redesigned, and a microphone was added. Games could now be output in standard definition using the video-out cable, and more settings were added for the video out, such as flicker reduction, to allow users to tune the video output to their tastes. One outlet called this model "a minor upgrade".

On its release, the PSP-3000's screen was criticized for what appeared to be scanlines and interlacing artifacts when objects were in motion. Due to the new screen using horizontal sub-pixels, and the blue sub-pixels appearing less luminant than their red and green counterparts, the blue sub-pixels would create feint horizontal lines across the screen. Sony stated the issue was inherent to the hardware and would not be fixed.

In its first four days on sale in Japan, the PSP-3000 sold over 141,270 units, according to Famitsu; it sold 267,000 units during October.

PSP Go (N1000)

The PSP Go (model PSP-N1000) was released on October 1, 2009, in North American and European territories, and on October 31 in Japan. It was revealed prior to E3 2009 through Sony's Qore video on demand service. Its design is significantly different from other PSP models.

The unit is 43% lighter and 56% smaller than the original PSP-1000, and 16% lighter and 35% smaller than the PSP-3000. Its rechargeable battery is not intended to be removed by the user. It has a 3.8-inch (97 mm) 480 × 272 pixel LCD screen, which slides up to reveal the main controls. The overall shape and sliding mechanism are similar to those of Sony's mylo COM-2 Internet device.

The PSP Go features 802.11b Wi-Fi like its predecessors, although the Mini USB port was replaced with an included proprietary connector that handles power, data transfer, and video. Composite and component video cables were sold separately, as well as a cradle that allows both video out and power at the same time. Bluetooth support was also added to the PSP Go, allowing users to connect wireless audio devices and PlayStation 3 controllers, the latter officially requires a PS3 system for pairing.

The PSP Go lacks a UMD drive, instead opting to only 16 GB of internal flash memory. An additional 16 GB can be added with the addition of a Memory Stick Micro (M2). Games must be purchased and downloaded from the PlayStation Store. While the PSP Go can download games to itself, users can also download and transfer games to the device from a PlayStation 3 console, or the Windows-based software Media Go.

All downloadable PSP and PlayStation games available prior to the model's launch are compatible with the PSP Go. Sony confirmed that almost all UMD-based PSP games released after October 1, 2009, would be available to download and that most older UMD-only games would also be released for digital download in the future.

The PSP Go suffered from low consumer interest, with Kaz Hirai citing the high price point and piracy as factors for its poor performance. By February, Sony was considering relaunching the system, and began efforts to provide more value to the model. By June of that year, Sony began bundling the console with free downloadable games in certain regions. In October 2010, Sony announced the price of the PSP Go would be reduced worldwide, with the American SKU going down to $199.99, from $249.99. On April 20, 2011, the PSP Go was announced to be discontinued outside of North America to concentrate resources on PlayStation Vita manufacturing.

PSP Street (E1000)

At Gamescom 2011, the PSP-E1000, also known as PSP Street, was announced as an entry-level PSP system. It released exclusively in Europe on October 26, 2011 at a budget price of €99.99. The E1000 came in a matte finish and lacked support for Wi-Fi, ad-hoc features, and stereo audio without headphones. The brightness button and microphone were also removed, requiring users to enter the system's "Power Save Settings" to adjust the brightness.

Bundles and console variants

When PlayStation Portable launched in Japan, it was available either in a standard configuration, which contained the system, battery, and charger, or in the Value Pack, which contained additional accessories, such as a 32-megabyte Memory Stick Duo. When the system launched in North America and Europe, only the Value Pack was available. Early North American systems were also bundled with the film Spider-Man 2 on UMD Video. The base configuration as launched in Japan became a standard bundle internationally in 2006.

Initially, the system was released in "Piano Black", though other color options would come over time, starting with a "Ceramic White" system launching in Japan in September 2005. At the PSP-2000's launch, multiple color options were available worldwide, including Piano Black, Ceramic White, and Ice Silver.

Limited edition PSP systems were sold throughout the system's life, usually to promote a bundled game. Some examples of games to get special edition systems include God of War: Chains of Olympus, Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. The Monster Hunter Portable Black Golden PSP-3000 system is notable for being physically different from the normal PSP-3000, as it has a concave analog stick and thicker grips to accommodate an Extended Battery pack.

The PSP Go and E1000 Street models only officially received black and white color variations, with the Pearl White PSP Go only releasing in Japan.

Comparison

Below is a comparison of the different PlayStation Portable models:

Software

System software

The PSP runs a custom operating system referred to as the System Software, which can be updated over the Internet, or by loading an update from a Memory Stick or UMD. Sony does not provide a method to perform operating system downgrades.

While System Software updates can be used with consoles from any region, Sony recommends only downloading updates released for the model's region. System Software updates have added many features, including a web browser, Adobe Flash support, additional codecs for various media, PlayStation 3 (PS3) connectivity, and patches against security exploits and the execution of homebrew programs. The most recent version, numbered 6.61, was released on January 15, 2015.

Apps and functionality

Media playback

The PlayStation Portable officially supports multiple video and audio codecs for media playback off of a Memory Stick Duo. At launch, the system supported MP3 and ATRAC for audio, but would later support AAC, WAV and WMA, the latter of which requires internet authentication prior to usage. JPEG was also supported at launch, followed by TIFF, GIF, BMP, and PNG support in Firmware 2.0. MP4 and AVI files are supported for video playback.

In 2009, Sony added the ability to install SensMe onto the PSP. Originating on some Walkman music players and Sony Ericsson phones, SensMe is a music analyzer that can read music files on the PSP and categorize them into 'channels" representing moods, creating automatic playlists from there.

Digital Comics Reader

Sony partnered with publishers such as Rebellion Developments, Disney, IDW Publishing, Insomnia Publications, iVerse, Marvel Comics, and Titan Books to release digitized comics on the PlayStation Store for reading on PSP. The Digital Comics Reader application required PSP firmware 6.20.

The PlayStation Store's "Comic" section premiered in Japan on December 10, 2009, with licensed publishers ASCII Media Works, Enterbrain, Kadokawa, Kodansha, Shueisha, Shogakukan, Square-Enix, Softbank Creative (HQ Comics), Hakusensha, Bandai Visual, Fujimishobo, Futabasha, and Bunkasha. It launched in the United States and in English-speaking PAL countries on December 16, 2009, though the first issues of Aleister Arcane, Astro Boy: Movie Adaptation, Star Trek: Enterprise Experiment and Transformers: All Hail Megatron were made available as early as November 20 through limited-time PlayStation Network redemption codes. In early 2010 the application was expanded to the German, French, Spanish and Italian languages. The choice of regional Comic Reader software is dictated by the PSP's firmware region; the Japanese Comic Reader will not display comics purchased from the European store, and vice versa. Sony shut down the Digital Comics service in September 2012.

Web browser

The PSP Internet Browser is a version of the NetFront browser and came with the system via the 2.00 update. The browser supports most common web technologies, such as HTTP cookies, forms, CSS, and basic JavaScript. It features basic tabbed browsing and has a maximum of three tabs.

Remote Play

Remote Play allows the PSP to access many of the features of the PlayStation 3 console from a remote location using the PS3's WLAN capabilities, a home network, or the Internet. Using Remote Play, users can view photographs, listen to music, play PlayStation and select PlayStation 3 games, and watch videos stored on the PS3 or connected USB devices. Remote Play also allows the PS3 to be turned on and off remotely and lets the PSP control audio playback from the PS3 to a home theater system. Although most of the PS3's capabilities are accessible with Remote Play, playback of DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, PlayStation 2 games, most PlayStation 3 games, and copy-protected files stored on the hard drive are not supported.

Skype for PSP

Starting with System Software version 3.90, the PSP-2000, 3000, and Go could use the Skype VoIP service. Due to hardware constraints it was not possible to use the service on the PSP-1000. The service allowed Skype calls to be made over Wi-Fi and – on the Go – over the Bluetooth modem. Users had to purchase Skype credit to make telephone calls. Skype for PlayStation Portable was discontinued on June 22, 2016.

Room for PlayStation Portable

At Tokyo Game Show 2009, Sony announced that a service similar to PlayStation Home, the PS3's online community-based service, was being developed for the PSP. Named "Room" (stylized R∞M), it was being beta-tested in Japan from October 2009 to April 2010. It could be launched directly from the PlayStation Network section of the XMB. As in Home, PSP owners would have been able to invite other PSP owners into their rooms to "enjoy real time communication". Development of Room halted on April 15, 2010, due to feedback from the community.

x-Radar Portable

In Japanese market PSPs, the application x-Radar Portable was preloaded starting with firmware version 6.35 in January 2010. A port of a map software for PCs and mobile phones developed by PetaMap, x-Radar Portable finds the location of the PSP on a map and obtains information of places near the user. It determines the location through "PlaceEngine" technology, via wireless LAN signals.

Homebrew development and custom firmware

On June 15, 2005, hackers disassembled the code of the PSP and distributed it online. Initially the modified PSP allowed users to run custom code and a limited amount of protected software, including custom-made PSP applications such as a calculator or file manager. Sony responded to this by repeatedly upgrading the software. Some users were able to unlock the firmware to allow them to run more custom content and DRM-restricted software. Hackers were able to run protected software on the PSP through the creation of ISO loaders that could load copies of UMD games from a memory stick. Custom firmware including the M33 Custom Firmware, Minimum Edition (ME/LME) CFW and PRO CFW were commonly seen in PSP systems.

Content management

The management of media content of the PSP through personal computers was fulfilled by Sony's PSP Media Manager software for Windows, allowing transfer as well as music/video playback and backups. In 2009 the PSP Media Manager was replaced by Media Go.

Games

Worldwide, there were 1,370 games released for the PSP between 2004 and 2016. At launch, all games were strictly released on UMD, but in October 2008, the PlayStation Store would launch for PSP. By 2009, Sony started the PlayStation mini line of games, which were smaller-scale digital-only PSP games, and promised all future major releases on UMD would come digitally.

In addition to standard PlayStation Portable software, digitally released PSone Classics also became playable on PSP via firmware 3.00, though they needed to be installed from a PlayStation 3 system until the PlayStation Store launched on PSP. In 2009, Turbografx-16 games were also added to the PlayStation Store.

The best selling PSP game is Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, which has sold 7.5 million copies as of July 20, 2013. Other top-selling PSP games include Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, Monster Hunter Portable 3rd, Gran Turismo, and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. The final physical UMD releases were Kamigami no Asobi InFinite in Japan and Summon Night 5 in North America, both in April 2016, with Retro City Rampage DX following as the final digital release in July 2016.

During E3 2006, Sony Computer Entertainment America announced that the Greatest Hits range of budget titles were to be extended to the PSP system with games in the line retailing for $19.99. On July 25, 2006, Sony Computer Entertainment America released the first batch of Greatest Hits titles including Ape Escape: On the Loose, ATV Offroad Fury: Blazin' Trails, Hot Shots: Open Tee, Twisted Metal: Head-On, and Wipeout Pure.

Trophy support was planned for the PSP but the idea was cancelled after the firmware was cracked, as Sony feared that hacked systems could allow players to illegitimately unlock or manipulate trophies.

Peripherals

At the Japanese launch, there were multiple accessories for the system including a Memory Stick Duo for save games, a headphone remote for audio playback, and a soft pouch with a wrist strap. The Value Pack bundle included all of the launch accessories not included with the base system.

Some PSP accessories gave the system added functionality by connecting to the system's Mini-USB port. A GPS add-on was released for the PSP system in 2006, giving the system GPS navigation functionality with the included software. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops also utilized the GPS receiver as a method of obtaining recruits in-game. Additionally, a 1seg television tuner peripheral was released in Japan on September 20, 2007, giving the system the ability to view digital television signals in regions that use the 1seg standard.

Two camera add-ons for the PSP were released throughout the system's life. The PSP 300 E was released in Autumn 2006, and had a 1.3 megapixel camera capable of photos at up to 1280x960 resolution. The PSP 450x, released in September 2009 alongside Invizimals, had a 0.3 megapixel camera capable of photos up to 640x480.

The PSP 2000, 3000, and PSP Go had composite, component, and D-Terminal video out cables available separately to allow the system to display its video onto a TV. The PSP 2000 and 3000 supported the same cables, while the PSP Go had its own separate cables. S-video cables were released for the PSP 2000 and 3000, but not the PSP Go.

Because of the PSP Go using a proprietary connector instead of Mini-USB, accessories that utilized the port are incompatible with the system by defualt, though Sony sold the Converter Cable Adapter alongside the system's launch which places a Mini-USB port atop the system to regain compatibility with prior accessories.

Reception

The PSP received generally positive reviews soon after launch; most reviewers noted similar strengths and weaknesses. CNET awarded the system 8.5 out of 10 and praised the console's powerful hardware and its multimedia capabilities but lamented the lack of a guard to cover the screen and the reading surface of UMD cartridges. Engadget praised the console's design, stating that "it is definitely one well-designed, slick little handheld". PC World commended the built-in Wi-Fi capability but criticized the lack of a web browser at launch, and the glare and smudges that resulted from the console's glossy exterior. Most reviewers also praised the console's large, bright viewing screen and its audio and video playback capabilities. In 2008, Time listed the PSP as a "gotta have travel gadget", citing the console's movie selection, telecommunications capability, and upcoming GPS functionality.

The PlayStation Portable was initially seen as superior to the Nintendo DS when both devices were revealed in early 2004 because of the designers' emphasis on the technical accomplishments of the system. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime, however, focused on the experience aspect of the Nintendo DS. The DS started to become more popular than the PSP early on because it attracted more third-party developers, and appealed more to the casual gaming market. The DS sold more units partly because of its touchscreen and second display.

From a multimedia perspective, the PSP has also been seen as a competitor to portable media players, notably the iPod Video that was released in the same year.

Reviews of the PSP Go were mixed. It was mainly criticized for its initial pricing; Ars Technica called it "way too expensive" and The Guardian stated that cost was the "biggest issue" facing the machine. Engadget said the Go cost only $50 less than the PS3, which has a Blu-ray player. Wired said the older PSP-3000 model was cheaper and supports UMDs, and IGN stated that the price increase made the PSP Go a "hard sell". The placement of the analog stick next to the D-pad was also criticized. Reviewers also commented on the change from a mini-USB port to a proprietary port, making hardware and cables bought for previous models incompatible. The Go's screen was positively received by Ars Technica, which called the screen's image "brilliant, sharp and clear" and T3 stated that "pictures and videos look great". The controls received mixed reviews; The Times described them as "instantly familiar" whereas CNET and Stuff called the position of the analog stick "awkward". The device's capability to use a PS3 controller was praised by The New Zealand Herald but Ars Technica criticized the need to connect the controller and the Go to a PS3 for initial setup.

Sales

By March 31, 2007, the PlayStation Portable had shipped 25.39 million units worldwide with 6.92 million in Asia, 9.58 million in North America, and 8.89 million Europe. In Europe, the PSP sold 4 million units in 2006 and 3.1 million in 2007, according to estimates by Electronic Arts. In 2007, the PSP sold 3.82 million units in the US, according to the NPD Group and 3,022,659 in Japan according to Enterbrain. In 2008, the PSP sold 3,543,171 units in Japan, according to Enterbrain.

In the United States, the PSP had sold 10.47 million units by January 1, 2008, according to the NPD Group. In Japan, during the week March 24–30, 2008, the PSP nearly outsold all of the other game consoles combined, selling 129,986 units, some of which were bundled with Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G, which was the bestselling game in that week, according to Media Create. As of December 28, 2008, the PSP had sold 11,078,484 units in Japan, according to Enterbrain. In Europe, the PSP had sold 12 million units as of May 6, 2008, according to SCE Europe. In the United Kingdom, the PSP had sold 3.2 million units as of January 3, 2009, according to GfK Chart-Track.

From 2006 to the third quarter of 2010, the PSP sold 53 million units. In a 2009 interview, Peter Dillon, Sony's senior vice-president of marketing, said piracy of video games was leading to lower sales than hoped. Despite being aimed at a different audience, the PSP competed directly with the Nintendo DS. During the last few years of its life cycle, sales of the PSP models started to decrease. Shipments to North America ended in January 2014, later in Europe, and on June 3, 2014, Sony announced sales of the device in Japan would end. Production of the device and sales to the rest of Asia would continue. During its lifetime, the PSP sold 80 million fewer units than the Nintendo DS.

Marketing

In late 2005, Sony said it had hired graffiti artists to spray-paint advertisements for the PSP in seven major U.S. cities, including New York City, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. According to Sony, it was paying businesses and building owners for the right to spray-paint their walls. A year later, Sony ran a poster campaign in England; a poster bearing the slogan "Take a running jump here" was removed from a Manchester Piccadilly station tram platform due to concerns it might encourage suicide.

Later in 2006, news of a billboard advertisement released in the Netherlands depicting a white woman holding a black woman by the jaw, saying "PlayStation Portable White is coming", spread. Two similar advertisements existed; one showed the two women facing each other on equal footing in fighting stances, the other showed the black woman in a dominant position on top of the white woman. Sony's stated purpose was to contrast the white and black versions of the PSP, but the advertisements were interpreted as being racially charged. These advertisements were never released in the rest of the world and were withdrawn from the Netherlands after the controversy. The advertisement attracted international press coverage; Engadget said Sony may have hoped to "capitalize on a PR firestorm".

Sony came under scrutiny online in December 2006 for a guerrilla marketing campaign in which advertisers posed as young bloggers who desperately wanted a PSP. The site, alliwantforxmasisapsp.com, appeared to have been designed by two friends and featured downloadable PSP greetings cards and t-shirt transfers. It also hosted a video showing "Cousin Pete" rapping about the handheld. The authors described the blog as "Consider us your own personal psp hype machine, here to help you wage a holiday assault on ur parents, girl, granny, boss - whoever - so they know what you really want,". The blog entries were written in a mixture of "leetspeak" and "smacktard". "i (charlie) have a psp. my friend jeremy does not. but he wants one this year for xmas," fake authors "c&j" wrote, "so we started clowning with sum not-so-subtle hints to j's parents that a psp would be teh perfect gift. we created this site to spread the luv to those like j who want a psp!" Additionally, the blog author also uploaded a video of a guy rapping about wanting a PSP for Christmas. Sony and Zipatoni were outed on the blog itself by tech-savvy critics who reportedly found the blog's registration data through an online search, and tracked it back to Gregory Meyerkord at advertising firm Zipatoni.

At E3 2010, Sony created a fictional 12-year-old character that was used by Sony Computer Entertainment America as part of their Step Your Game Up advertising campaign for the PlayStation Portable and PSPgo consoles in North America, as part of the PlayStation 3's "It Only Does Everything" advertising campaign. The character, Marcus Rivers, was played by child-actor Bobb'e J. Thompson, and started as the publicist of the PlayStation Portable division of Sony, responding to "Dear PSP" queries. Marcus was additionally used to advertise games for the system. The character was eventually discontinued due to his negative reception, with the "Dear PSP" campaign continuing without them.