When Sony launched the PlayStation Portable almost exactly 20 years ago, the value proposition was there in the name: a PlayStation, but portable. But now modders have changed that, introducing a PSP that can be played on a TV, console-style, and nicknamed PS Placeable.
It's a non-destructive mod for the PSP-2000 and PSP-3000 systems that lets you play PSP games on your TV in the original UMD physical format, with a wireless controller like the PlayStation 4's DualShock 4, all wrapped up in a miniature. PlayStation 2 type enclosure.
Let's be frank: one of the main reasons this gets special attention here is that its appearance is both smart and, well, kind of adorable. The miniaturization of the PlayStation 2's retro style is a nice touch.
Of course, there have long been other ways to play some PSP games on the big screen, but there has always been one disadvantage or another.
For example, you could connect the original PSP to a TV with complicated cables, but then you'd have to use that connected handheld as a controller.
Much later, the PlayStation TV set-top box made by Sony itself was essentially a console-style version of the PlayStation Vita, and like the Vita, it could play numerous classic PSP games (plus, it supported wireless controllers), but it didn't. . It is not compatible with most PSP games and only works with those downloaded through the Sony digital store.