So my obsession with Sony’s hardware design is no secret, especially when it comes to the PSP. When I compare it to the handhelds released around that time, it just kinda…kicks butt.
I thought it might be nice to write up an article on both my experiences buying a cheap PSP from Japan (listed as “junk”…which to be fair in Japan has a totally different meaning!), and detailing how to do the same if you’re looking for reasonable quality and prices, in 2026.
In the end, mine arrived with an ancient jailbreak from 2009 already used. And since writing and posting this (my will is weak), I’ve already ordered another, in excellent condition and complete-in-box.
Anyway, if you want to read along with my adventure, read my tips on how to buy a cheap PSP in 2026, or just share in some PSP nostalgia, then as ever my article is here:
https://gardinerbryant.com/i-bought-a-junk-psp-from-japan-heres-how-it-went/
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Lol I’ve got mine sitting in the basement, still equipped with the pandora’s battery and probably some wild theme if I ever get around to turning it back on.
PSP is peak retro tech. The disk drive mechanism is so satisfying to open and close, popping out the UMD cartridge…
But yes, Japan preserves their old tech, books and games by default. Used items are almost always immaculately kept and sent cleaned up. It’s pretty reliable to buy used in Japan.
Damn I feel old that it is now considered retro. I got one new in 2005 and it was the coolest piece of tech out at the time. It was like if a smart phone relied on CDs to play media and games.
That retro futurism it evokes was the prod for me to compile all these images for a PSP ‘scrapbook’ a little while ago
https://gardinerbryant.com/my-psp-scrapbook-part-retrospective-part-collage/
It is such a beautifully designed machine!
Beautiful! Love those billboards. Also reminds me to check out a PSP Go, I bet the slide-out design is cool in person.
Anbernic made their own version a little while back too!
Fascinating. Definitely still prefer the Go for retro futurism, though.
Used products in Japan are generally stupidly cheap. Something about the culture makes it so that people generally look at old devices as worthless and non-new devices are occasionally shunned.
Anyway, good write up and grats on the PSP. Good luck with the next one too.
I’ve read that Japanese culture doesn’t see stuff as worthless, but that it should be available to everyone. They just want future generations to be able to play old games more easily.
Nintendo would like a word.
Nintendo is not Japan. We only ever hear about NoA when criticizing them.
If that were the case, there wouldn’t be so many 2nd hand stores there. The number of Surugaya, Hard Off, Book Off, Lashinbangs among others and independent retro game stores are proof of this.
Anyway, good write up
Thank you! I had a ton of fun with this one, because I love the consoles so damn much. It was a fun surprise when it all arrived and I got to see just what the word “junk” meant this time, and (as ever), it was such a pleasant surprise. It might be a little selfish of me to think it, but I really think the old and humble PSP still has a place as a great handheld even in 2026!
I still have my PSP 1000. I bought it from a pawn shop with my very first pay cheque. Bricked it with an official update. Maybe salvageable, I’m a lot better at tinkering than I was back then, but my wife’s 2000 is modded and probably still working fine.
My original PSP still works fine. It’s an absolute unit.
I wasnt a fan of the 2000, felt cheap in comparison, but was much lighter.
PSPs were great little handhelds!
The 1000 was super durable. I got mine as a kid in 2005 and absolutely abused it. Guess what? The some of a bitch still works. The only thing wrong with it is one of the pixels is stuck being red and the disk drive is kinda loose (still works), but I could always have the screen/drive replaced.
There were a few nice benefits though, over the (nicer) ergonomics of the 1000
- 64MB RAM over the 32 in the 1000
- Better battery life (apparently, though I never saw much of that)
- The screens certainly got brighter on the 2000
The best part is though that while they’re all such similar models, they all have their own quirks and pros (as well as cons), so there really is a PSP for everybody!
Speakers in the front, too!
I’ve actually still got mine in a box somewhere. Maybe I should see if I can do something with it.
Mine had the battery turn into a spicy pillow while in storage.
Yikes. I’ll have to pull mine out ASAP.
Either you or whoever made this article made it near impossible to order this. Please post a link, it’s one of the very first things that made the Internet what it is.
I get you, its not here in the post but there is a sectiom caled where to buy in the article with pictures and logos and all
The clearly and repeatedly say the website they ordered it on, to the point where the post feels like an advertorial.
