PSP hacked for use with DualShock controller

It's not the first time we've seen a controller hacked for use with the PSP, but this mod by Acidmods member Blizzrad takes things a bit further than most, with it relying entirely on hardware modifications in order to work, meaning it can be done on any PSP regardless of the firmware. It's also one of the cleanest-looking mods we've seen to date, with the only evidence of tampering on the PSP itself being a discreetly placed controller connector right above the power switch. Of course, that also means it's considerably more difficult for most of us to do ourselves, but we can at least get a glimpse of what's possible courtesy of the video after the break.

[Nate @ May 30th 2008 1:36PM]

A PSP with a controller port should be added to the new PSP

[AJ @ May 30th 2008 1:45PM]

That's right Nate, I want two PSPs when I buy the new PSP :)

[Steffen Jobbs @ May 30th 2008 2:42PM]

Just for you and nobody else. I'm joking. In some crazy, proposterous way, I almost see your point if the controls on the PSP fail. But really, the Dual Shock controller is more comfortable the the PSP. After a couple of hours playing Need for Speed on the PSP my hands tend to cramp up a bit. I could race GT4 using the DS controller for eight hours at a stretch and come away with relaxed hands. The DS controller is more ergonomic, I'll give it that. Sony could definitely improve that steering nub on the PSP. Rubberize it or raise it or both.

[Low Ranked @ May 30th 2008 5:17PM]

Isn't that equivalent of playing Need for Speed on a 4.3" TV?

Might almost be better to import the PSP's innards into a portable DVD player for a bigger screen while keeping its portability intact.

You sacrifice comfort for portability, can't have it all!

[Wifiguy @ May 30th 2008 2:34PM]

Great stuff, go PSP, wake up USA and keep up with Japan and buy more Psp's please, keep them alive!!

[Reader @ May 30th 2008 9:13PM]

Why?

[oGMo @ May 30th 2008 1:37PM]

They should just let you stick in a bluetooth USB controller and use a bluetooth keyboard and dualshock3/sixaxis. Of course, BT eats a bit of battery, but presumably you're not sitting on the bus with this anyway.

[eggothewaffle @ May 30th 2008 2:00PM]

That's exactly what I was thinking! More devices (both host and slave) really need to make use of the Bluetooth protocol.

[a @ May 30th 2008 1:39PM]

I want a dualshock to be modded to have a flip out screen and the psp's guts inside of it. This way, you could either play PSP games on a tv (thru tv out) with a real controller, OR you could remote play to your PS3 and play ps3 games remotely (while TV outing to a TV... basically a portable PS3).

I think this would put the PSP to good use. Mine is a paperweight now.

Also, the PSPs lack of a 2nd analog is crippling... Until it is OEM with 2 sticks... well... I guess I'll just deal with it until then.

[Mile @ May 30th 2008 2:04PM]

While I want DualShock to just be included in the PSP. Playing a PSP with DualShock will only make my mad gamerz skillz that much moar mad.

[hussein rawat @ May 30th 2008 1:45PM]

Why can't sony add something like this to the psp. I mean they have the resources so i am sure that it is possible. Plus before I forget I WANT ONE!

[theman7233 @ May 31st 2008 3:17AM]

people play their psp?

[Macha88 @ May 30th 2008 5:18PM]

everyone plays with their wii's, so why not play with their pps?

[AKWuollet @ May 30th 2008 6:26PM]

I play my PPS all the time...but my PSP is just collecting dust on my shelf.

[Macha88 @ Jun 2nd 2008 4:11PM]

WAIT... you have 2?
weird..

[Raheem @ May 30th 2008 2:00PM]

Whaaaaaaaaaat the hell is the point?!

[Anonymoose @ May 30th 2008 2:17PM]

i haven't checked with too many outside sources, but i think the point is to use the dualshock controller with the psp. someone can correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm fairly confident that that is indeed the reason for the hack.

[Nietzche @ May 30th 2008 2:38PM]

the point is that the buttons and controls on the dualshock feel insanely much better and are built much more sturdily than those of the PSP.
especially the "analog" "stick".

[Raheem @ May 30th 2008 8:31PM]

Yeaah... Anonymoose - top marks for being a twat. I think when someone asks you the point of something, they're not actually asking for a description of the product. Don't ever try sales ;)

Second: It's a portable... no-one's carrying a control pad around.

Seriously, has everyone just been smacking planks of wood against their head the past few weeks?

[nVidiot @ May 30th 2008 2:19PM]

You should just be able to hook your PSP into your PS3 and play the games that way. Or just download PSP games through the PSN store and play them on PS3.

[Some Kid @ May 30th 2008 2:23PM]

@hussein rawat
they dont include a controller port for many reasons----

1- it defeats the purpose of the portable aspect of this console
2- it would take away battery life which is by all means not world class
(especieally on the PSP-2000)
3- if you are going to use the psp as a sit down game console(which is what would need to happen if there was a controller), just get even a PS2. It has more games, better games, and better graphics

as you can see, that is why they dont add a controller ports. that doesnt include the price aspect, either

[Anonymoose @ May 30th 2008 2:28PM]

yeah. and when you don't want to just sit down and play it, you can just take the ps2 on the road with you.

it's not like people just play the psp on buses, trains, fat people, or other places outside of the home. some actually do play them in house.

[doggabone @ May 30th 2008 5:37PM]

1) It only "defeats" the portable aspect if they remove the built-in controls to put the port on. The PSP has video out. That's not a portable feature - and yet the device remains portable.
2) Battery life is a fair point. Although, if you're not "portable", can't you just plug in the transformer? Still, that's a user choice if it's not an always on feature.
3) With the video out, it could be a portable and play-at-home device. There's likely a huge market for that (I'd buy one if I could play it in "console" mode. I wouldn't spend PS3 money, but I'd drop a little more than current PSP money for it. That huge market still leaves room for a huge "don't care for it" non-market, too. Obviously.

It's the price, mostly - if they ever even thought of it. Certainly, portables are portable only so far. It's entirely likely that the idea never crossed the design desk as a consideration, not even to be dismissed.

[superaktieboy @ May 30th 2008 2:31PM]

now this is one of those "Coz i can!" hacks

[Nick Ritch @ May 30th 2008 2:33PM]

It looks like he used a playstation video connector for the controller plug which makes alot more sense than using an actual playstation controller plug plus with the sony branding on the plug it makes it look like a official sony item as opposed to some sloppy hackery.

[Steffen Jobbs @ May 30th 2008 2:52PM]

Jeez. I thought it was going to be a kitten using the PSP to get used to the home environment. What was I thinking.

[geothermalcat @ May 30th 2008 2:55PM]

Blizzrad didnt do it for you so stop bitching(for the people who have been bitching), hes just merely demonstrated that it is possible... and maybe he got bored one day... who knows... just stop being so bitter... itll shorten your life

[nick @ May 30th 2008 3:32PM]

I see your reasoning but it doesn't really hold up for all psp users
1. if sony wanted a portable only console why did they add av out on the new slim
2. battery life does suck I will agree with that one
3. what if people only have a psp and not a ps2, your advice would be for psp owners to go out and buy another console and games? This doesn't really make sense.

[nick @ May 30th 2008 3:34PM]

sorry I meant to reply to "some kid's" comment

[Wwhat @ May 30th 2008 7:58PM]

I like the picture nicely set up with the PSP on a 'third hand' known to hardware hackers everywhere :)
Engadget should thank him for supplying a picture so apt.

[Joe Anstine @ May 30th 2008 9:16PM]

sick mod. sort of makes me wish i didn't sell my psp

[Scott Redner @ Aug 13th 2009 12:45PM]

Vid link dead.