Forget the PlayStation Portal, this console modder turned an obscure PS1 controller into a pocket-size handheld
Complete with offline play
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Console modder Hairo Satoh has posted a video to Instagram that appears to show a working PlayStation gaming handheld constructed from an obscure PS1 controller.
Asexplained by IGN, this isn’t the first time that Satoh has tinkered with gaming tech. HisInstagram profileis filled with photos or videos showing off interesting creations ranging from a custom Tamagotchi mobile phone to an incredibly bizarre looking Game Boy Advance SP with two folding displays.
This latest creation, which Satoh describes as a “PS1 on the go,” appears to be built using the obscure Takara Roulette Controller. In addition to many of the usual PlayStation controller buttons, the Takara Roulette Controller, which was released exclusively in Japan, originally featured a prominent color spinner that was used to play the PS1 version ofThe Game of Life.
Satoh seems to have managed to replace this spinner with a small color display that shows a functional emulator, presumably alongside plenty of internal changes to run it. Combined with working controls, it seems to be a fully-fledged handheld video game console. He even posted someshort clipsshowing the handheld in action, playing through the first few moments of PlayStation titles likeResident Evil 3andMega Man 8.
Inanother posthe detailed some of the device’s specs, which includes USB-C charging, a memory card slot, left and right triggers, a volume wheel, and dual stereo speakers. It’s clear that the handheld is a personal project, but its apparent offline functionality does pose an interesting point of comparison toSony’s latest official handheld, thePlayStation Portal.
While Satoh’s pocket-size custom creation seems like it would be perfect to take out and about, the PS Portal is a remote play device that requires a constant internet connection to use. While this limitation might be disappointing for some, we still think the PS Portal has plenty of merit. Our review praised its comfortable ergonomic design, not to mention the seamless performance when you’re connected to a high-speed internet connection.
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Dash is a technology journalist who covers gaming hardware at TechRadar. Before joining the TechRadar team, he was writing gaming articles for some of the UK’s biggest magazines including PLAY, Edge, PC Gamer, and SFX. Now, when he’s not getting his greasy little mitts on the newest hardware or gaming gadget, he can be found listening to J-pop or feverishly devouring the latest Nintendo Switch otome.
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