Sony PocketStation

Other published 26 years ago:

Sony PocketStation (c) 1999 Sony Computer Ent., Inc.

The PocketStation is a Memory Card peripheral for the PlayStation home video game console. Categorized by Sony as a combination of a Memory Card and a miniature personal digital assistant.

Software for the PocketStation was typically distributed as extras for PlayStation games, included in the CD-ROM, enhancing the games with added features. Stand-alone software could also be downloaded through the PlayStation console.

- TECHNICAL -

The device features a monochrome liquid crystal display (LCD), infrared communication capability, a real-time clock, built-in flash memory, and sound capability.

To use the device's memory card functionality, it must be connected to a PlayStation through a memory card slot.

- TRIVIA -

Released exclusively in Japan on January 23, 1999. Sony only shipped an initial 60,000 units of the peripheral. It was initially available in two case colors: white and clear.

The original Japanese ship date for the PocketStation was set for December 23, 1998, but it was delayed a full month.

It proved extremely popular, selling out all over the region. Sony planned to release the PocketStation outside Japan, engaging in promotional activity in Europe and North America, but the release did not occur. SCEA cited an inability meeting Japanese demand as the reason for the PocketStation's absence.

The PocketStation was discontinued in July 2002 after having shipped nearly five million units.

On November 5, 2013, it was announced that the PocketStation would be revived as an application for the PlayStation Vita, allowing users to play PocketStation format minigames for any classic PlayStation games that they own. Originally it was only available to PlayStation Plus members, it was later released to the general public. It remains an exclusive to the Japanese PlayStation Vitas.

- CONTRIBUTE -

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