Sony: PocketStation TORO Special Box Set (1999)

Sony PocketStation, 1999.

Sony PocketStation (Pink)

SONY: PocketStation Memory Card Peripheral (1999)

https://www.instagram.com/p/CaLKmWhvH8Q/

We recently got our hands on the Japan exclusive Pocketstation (1999) for the original Playstation. It's a funky little peripheral reminiscent of the VMU for the Dreamcast. It not only acts as a regular memory card, but also lets you download additional mini-games from compatible software. A definite must have for any avid PS1 fan.

Despite being released so close to the Playstation 2 there are surprisingly many games supporting the little thing. Among them we find the excellent puzzle game Puyo Puyo 4 and another elusive title in the Jumping Flash! series, Pocket MuuMuu. More noteworthy perhaps is that both Japanese versions of Spyro the Dragon and Spyro 2, as well as Crash Bandicoot 3, all have Pocketstation mini-games that we never got to see over here.

Interestingly the western releases of Final Fantasy VIII (1999) still has the Pocketstation support intact. There is even an entire section in the manual, spanning several pages, but also notifies players that the device may in fact only be available in Japan. Despite the Pocketstation never coming here you can absolutely access the Chocobo World mini-game from a PAL/American copy of the game. If you happen to have a Pocketstation that is. How curious.

/Alicia

spyro the dragon (japan release, 1999) pocketstation mini-game

Sony: PocketStation Memory Unit for PSone (1999)

Spyro pocketstation minigame 💎

Credit: PocketStationFan on YT

Super VMU Bros.

PocketStation All Stars Battle Royale

I’ve got a question. Will the PocketStation minigames work with NTSC games?