SCEE today announced plans to allow the PSP to play older Gameboy titles via a custom add-on.
Today Sony Computer Entertainment announced an add-on device is in the works that will allow PlayStation Portable owners to play older Gameboy titles on the handheld console.
The add-on, called the 'Playboy' by insiders, connects into the console's Memory Stick Duo port. Once installed, it will enable users to download and install a number of Gameboy titles onto the device, via a unique service that Sony will provide.
'Although we're still developing the actual download service and website, a special site will be launched in the second half of the year and will allow users to download games straight to their PSPs,' a spokesperson for Sony said.
'We will trial the service in Japan first and, if it is met with success, we will consider expanding accessibility into other countries', said Sony.
The spokesperson went on to say that a number of titles will be available once the site launches, including Gameboy Tetris and Legend of Zelda. Although the PSP's hardware capabilities far exceed that of the original Gameboy, Sony plans to recreate the games in their original colours and graphics to preserve their 'playability'.
The major hurdle, according to Sony, was acquiring permission from Nintendo to add the capability to the handheld. According to the company the conditions for use of the older game licenses and the payment of royalties have yet to be finalised, considering Nintendo may have similar plans to add the feature to its own handheld, the DS.
Regardless, the two companies came to an agreement over the technology last January, which has allowed Sony to progress this far with the service and the Duo add-on. Images: A demonstration unit PSP playing Tetris The same unit with Legend of Zelda
Issue: 133 | February, 2012