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The PSP evidently was not Sony’s first attempt to create a portable gaming device. Skatter Tech has details of another portable device that Sony drew up in December of 1998. The “PocketStation” was set to compete with Sega’s VMU for the DreamCast. The unit was released in Japan, but was never released in the United States or other countries. It probably failed because there was no type of game cartridge to insert into the unit.

To play games on the unit you were required to own a PlayStation One. Then to get games onto the Pocket Station you had to plug the unit into the memory card slot on the PS1 then transfer games over. The Pocket Station had speakers, a clock, infrared (for multiplayer), and served as a memory card.  Another pic and technical specs after the break.

Technical Specs:

• CPU : ARM7T (32 bit RISC Processor)
• Memory : SRAM 2K bytes & Flash RAM 128K bytes
• Graphics : 32 x 32 dot Monochrome LCD
• Sound : Mini Speaker (12 bit PCM) x 1 unit
• Switches : 5 input buttons + 1 reset button
• Infrared : Bi-directional (IrDA based)
• Dimensions : 64 x 42 x 13.5 mm (L x W x H)
• Weight : Approx. 30g (w/ battery)

Read [Skatter Tech]
Images via Vidgame.net

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