Giving Sony's legendary handheld a second life with modern storage, custom firmware, and a fresh setup

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.. One of many PSP’s I’ve bought though.

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

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.

So if you’ve recently picked up a PSP, are thinking about picking one up, or have one sitting in a drawer gathering dust, I hope this helps you give it a second life!

And if you don’t want to read through, then ask me here and I’m more than happy to recommend things to you.

  • Toes♀@ani.socialEnglish
    1·
    22 hours ago

    Is there a place to buy these all setup and ready to go?

    I wish i never sold my vita q.q

    • PerfectDark@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      2·
      18 hours ago

      Yes, there’s a bunch on Aliexpress (I’d probably recommend there over anywhere else, since their prices are the most reasonable and you get the same thing everyone does)

      Etsy also has a bunch, as does Instagram. But again…you’ll be paying slightly more there

      • Toes♀@ani.socialEnglish
        2·
        18 hours ago

        Oh cool! I had no idea Aliexpress would be the go to for something like that. They’ve always been my last resort option.

        I thought Instagram was just for sharing photos and video? I didn’t know you could buy stuff on it, neat. Thanks :)

        • PerfectDark@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          2·
          18 hours ago

          Technically it is, but there’s a huge scene of influencers who have set up shop on there and run their own businesses. There’s a bunch who run ads, but you pay a crazy bit of money on top of what you’d pay on Aliexpress, just because they hope to rope in people who don’t know any better!

          And like I said, if Etsy is more your scene, there’s a bunch there last time I looked!