The Rise and Fall of the PSP, the Handheld Miracle That Still Lost the War

 

A Modern Setup Guide for the PSP-2000 (Jailbreak, Plugins, and More)

 A few weeks ago I wrote about taking a chance on a cheap "junk" PSP-2000 from Japan, replacing its faulty charging port, and ending up with one of the nicest handhelds I own.

Quite a few people reached out afterwards asking about jailbreaking, or just sharing that they planned to buy UMDs for it. I guess this article is my answer to that (or maybe just yet another thinly veiled excuse to write about my favorite old handheld...the PSP)

Rather than another super technical wiki, I wanted to write a bit of step-by-step with just pictures of all of it. I cover installing ARK-4 custom firmware, setting up a microSD card, loading games, movies and music, a handful of homebrew recommendations. I really, really love Sony's PSP. I think as far as industrial design language goes, you just can't beat it.

I know that 99.99% of you on here will have already jailbroken the PSP, or will probably know more than me about the process. For you I guess you might like to read along just...seeing a PSP in an article in 2026? There's so few of us writing about it these days, so that might be fun.

Link here:

https://gardinerbryant.com/a-modern-setup-guide-for-the-psp-2000-jailbreak/

PSP VS. PS2 Hot Shots Open Tee PSP vs. Hot Shots Golf 3 PS2

 Our Contenders

Vs 

Believe me I was shocked, in the PSP you get better graphics and gameplay. Also you don't get a Caddy just standing in the way. The differences are HUGE, static menus, almost no character animation and the caddy only says 1 line. Besides no direct access to the Shop, you have to go through an active game just to gain access. This is all in the PS2 version.

Frankly I was shocked, plus it loads data on to the memory card which they say it a faster load. It's the same. Zero difference.

As I dig through my collection there will be more of these.

An Apology Plus a New Series

 Hello everyone it's me again I know it's been a while over a year from what I see. So what brought me back? Here I was one day surfing the internet when it hit me. I hadn't played most of the ps2 games I bought at Flea Markets as well as Yard Sales, and with a big local one coming up in a few weeks.

But that wasn't all....

My printer died, and it wasn't that same message we all heard about with InkJet printers. I mean it was DOA DEAD.

That was fun, LaserJet is what I went for and with the elevator being out in my building.

Yes it was a Royal Pain the printer weighs more than 40 lbs

I know for years I been saying for years the PSP is just as good as the more POWERFUL PS2. But I have to say I was wrong. The PSP is more powerful, as in the games having more features.

I just got through playing Hot Shots Golf 3 at least the 1st course. 

Read the post and you maybe shocked