Games

Google Engineers Hack PlayStation Portal for Playing PSP Games

Discover how a group of Google engineers successfully hacked the PlayStation Portal to enjoy PSP games directly on Sony's popular Remote Play accessory.
Google Engineers Hack PlayStation Portal for Playing PSP Games

Highlights

  • Google engineers achieved a breakthrough by hacking the PlayStation Portal, enabling native play of PSP games, expanding its functionality beyond just PS5 remote control.
  • While a limited selection of PSP games can be streamed on PlayStation Portal, hacking now grants access to the full PSP library without the need for an internet connection.
  • Despite no official announcements from Sony on new handheld consoles, the positive reception of the Portal hints at a potential market for such devices.

An innovative breakthrough has recently emerged as a group of Google engineers successfully hacked the PlayStation Portal, enabling the device to run PSP games. Originally designed as a remote control for PS5 consoles, the PlayStation Portal has captured the attention of tech enthusiasts seeking to unlock its full potential.

Despite its initial niche appeal, the PlayStation Portal has received positive reviews and faced supply shortages at major retailers. Its unique design has proven to offer the most comfortable experience for Remote Play, a service introduced during the era of PS3.

PlayStation Portal Unleashes Native PSP Game Support

Google engineer Andy Nguyen took to social media to showcase their modified PlayStation Portal running PPSSPP, a PSP emulator. Following extensive efforts and collaboration with fellow engineer Calle Svensson, Nguyen's hacked device now seamlessly plays PSP games. An image shared by Nguyen demonstrated the Portal in action, running the popular PSP title Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.

While PlayStation Plus Premium members can access a curated selection of PSP games on the stock PlayStation Portal through streaming, this method requires an internet connection. By hacking the device to run PSP emulation software directly, users can enjoy the entire PSP game library without connectivity constraints. Despite the excitement generated by this breakthrough, Nguyen clarified that there are no immediate plans for a public release, indicating ongoing development work. However, the team may offer demonstration videos in the near future following the positive reception of the hack.

Amid speculations about a new PlayStation handheld console in the works, Sony has remained silent on any hardware releases. Following the commercial disappointment of the PS Vita, Sony had largely withdrawn from the portable gaming market. Nevertheless, the success of the PlayStation Portal project fuels rumors suggesting a potential return to dedicated handheld gaming devices.

The thriving market for portable gaming devices, exemplified by the popularity of the Nintendo Switch and emerging products like the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, underscores the demand for on-the-go gaming experiences. Reports even speculate about Microsoft's venture into handheld consoles, with Xbox CEO Phil Spencer teasing audiences through recent social media interactions.

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