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History
While the PocketStation is often considered an imitation of the Dreamcast VMU, the facts are not as straightforward. The PocketStation was first unveiled on February 19, 1998, a few months before the Dreamcast was announced on May 21, 1998. It was set to be released on December 23, 1998, a few weeks after the Dreamcast release on November 27, 1998. The PocketStation was unveiled in its final form at the Tokyo Game Show from October 9 to 11, but Sony had to postpone the release until January 23, 1999.
Release
The PocketStation was released on January 23, 1999 at a cost of ¥3,000, alongside a few games, including Doko Demo Issyo, which would sell 1.5 million copies over its lifetime. The PocketStation sold out very quickly everywhere. Sony, which didn’t anticipate the demand, produced only 60,000 units. Sony quickly started producing more to meet the demand and added a new model called the SCPH-4000C, which was a clear version of the initial release. The device served primarily as a memory card for the PlayStation, but some PlayStation games could push extra features, such as mini-games, to the PocketStation. Its infrared sensor also allowed information to be exchanged between PocketStations. It could even be used to transfer game data between the PlayStation and the WonderSwan, using both the PocketStation and the Wonder Wave. Developer Shinichi Okamoto said, “Based on the concept of a computer that can be worn, we packed functions into a system of only 30g. It’s a machine that teaches everyone who touches what entertainment is.”
The PocketStation was so successful that, according to Sony, the company was never able to produce enough units to satisfy the Japanese market, which explains why it was never sold overseas. Over its lifespan, more than 185 PlayStation games used its features, and it sold over 4.4 million units.
Demise
Since Doko Demo Issyo, there were no notable hits, and most of the games were only PlayStation bonus mini-games. The novelty began to wear off, with users complaining about the resolution. With the release of the PlayStation 2 on March 4, 2000, the PocketStation lost a lot of its relevance. The number of compatible games began to decline steeply, and by July 2002, Sony had stopped production of the PocketStation.
Hardware
The PocketStation was released in four different colors. Other colors have been spotted (blue, orange, gold), but it is unclear whether they are prototypes or extremely limited releases.
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| White SCPH-4000 |
Clear SCPH-4000C |
Pink Only available as a pack-in with the Limited Edition of Tokimeki Memorial 2. |
Black Only available as a pack-in with the Yu-Gi-Oh! True Duel Monsters Sealed Memories Limited Edition Special Box |
Technical Specifications
- CPU: ARM7T (32-bit RISC chip)
- Memory: 2 KB SRAM and 128 KB Flash RAM
- Display: 32 × 32 dot monochrome LCD
- Sound: 1 miniature speaker (10-bit PCM)
- Controls: 5 input buttons and 1 reset button
- Infrared communication: Bi-directional (supports IrDA-based and conventional remote control systems)
- Battery: 1 CR-2032 lithium battery
- Dimensions: 64 × 42 × 13.5 mm (length × width × height)
- Weight: Approximately 30 g (including battery)