The Sony PSP (PlayStation Transportable) was a improbable handheld console that by no means fairly acquired the eye it deserved. It was able to displaying high-quality 3D graphics and had a reasonably first rate catalog of video video games. However the PSP is fairly outdated, as it’s now about 18 years outdated. Except you wish to replay the identical outdated video games, there is not a lot motive to tug your PSP out of that field within the attic. However what if it may play any sport launched earlier than the brand new millennium? That is what othermod enabled with his PSPi 6 Raspberry Pi improve.
This undertaking replaces the PSP’s inside electronics with both a Raspberry Pi Zero (or Zero 2) or a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4. There are numerous advantages to this improve, as a result of a Raspberry Pi can deal with a variety of totally different emulators. If you happen to set up RetroPie, you emulate any laptop or console up till the fourth era — and even the fifth era, in some circumstances. That offers you entry to a fully large catalog of video games. If, for instance, you by no means performed Alchemist on the ZX Spectrum, you possibly can lastly expertise that basic sport.
To make this occur, othermod needed to design a customized PCB that replaces the PSP’s unique mainboard. The cool factor about that is that it helps each the Raspberry Pi Zero type issue and the Raspberry Pi Compute Module type issue. Each are SBCs (single-board computer systems), however the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 has the entire energy of the Raspberry Pi 4 Mannequin B in a card-like bundle. However these are more durable to seek out and dearer, so othermod made positive that this PCB additionally helps the extra widespread Raspberry Pi Zero/Zero 2.
Even higher, othermod’s PCB accommodates the entire {hardware} essential to assist the PSP’s controls. It hosts a Microchip ATmega8A microcontroller, which acts as an middleman between the PSP controls and the Raspberry Pi. The PCB even helps LCD backlit adjustment and speaker output.
PSPi 6 continues to be a piece in progress and othermod is constant improvement to enhance the design. However if you wish to get in on the motion now, you should utilize the recordsdata on GitHub to have a PCB made. Finishing the construct is not for the faint of coronary heart, however the finish end result could also be worthwhile for these of you who love the PSP format and wish to make the most of it for retro gaming.
