An incredibly talented modder, Adam (also known as othermod), has crafted an exceptional project known as the PSPi 6. This mod skillfully utilizes nearly all of the PSP’s original hardware, including button PCBs, WiFi antenna, internal frame, speakers, buttons, button membranes, and the shell. However, it cleverly replaces the PSP’s motherboard and UMD drive with a Raspberry Pi and upgrades the LCD to a brilliant IPS display. This transformation results in an exquisitely designed, dedicated emulation handheld device that retains the beloved look and feel of the PSP. It’s nothing short of fantastic!
Now one of the best and most important considerations made with this mod is that it is completely reversible, does not require any soldering, and it requires not modifications to the shell. This is a truly no-cut mod!
Now because this is running a Raspberry Pi (currently compatible with a Pi Zero and CM4), you have the flexibility to run several operating systems. Currently, Adam is working on a custom image for RetroPie which is a EmulationStation front end that allows you to run multiple emulators. With his current build, the upper end of support is the original PlayStation and Nintendo 64. However, Adam is working to add more emulators as well as other operating systems such as Botecera and Lakka.
The way Adam has integrated all the controls for the PSPi really makes it feel like a polished product. Nearly all the button function as you would expect and the little details like all the on-screed displayed items such as the battery and volume levels really adds a level of polish that makes this such a cool project.
Additionally, Adam is working to make this project compatible with not only . One of the great things about this kit is that it utilize a removable “carrier board” which is used to interface the Raspberry Pi compute module to the PSPi 6 mainboard. By having the carrier board be removable and customizable to suite many different compute modules, Adam has made this PSPi project very flexible.
Furthermore, Adam has generously made this project completely open-source, allowing enthusiasts to explore the details on his Github page. For those who prefer ready-made solutions and want to support Adam, he will be offering kits for sale on his website, expected to be available in December.
While the project remains a work in progress, Adam’s dedication and passion are evident in every detail. It’s a fascinating endeavor that promises to become even more remarkable as it evolves. We can’t wait to see the final result!
