If you are a pretty experienced gamer, you will probably remember reading about the PocketStation, a curious little gaming device that, befitting its name, was made by Sony for compatibility with its flagship PlayStation console. However, this quirky peripheral was never released outside of Japan – making it, for us in the US, especially intriguing to read about now.
The PocketStation was on sale from January 23, 1999 before its discontinuation in July 2002, and was billed by Sony as part Memory Card for the PlayStation and part miniature personal digital assistant. With its liquid crystal display, real-time clock and ability to produce sound, it was rather reminiscent of a Tamagotchi, the type of virtual pet that reached its peak popularity in the 1990s. However, the PocketStation has probably become most remembered for its roster of quirky games.
These games tended to be extras for, and sold with, PlayStation titles, though stand-alone software was also available. The PocketStation’s huge popularity in Sony’s native market led the company to prepare to expand availability to North America, but a launch ultimately never occurred. Sony attributed the device’s Stateside no-show to a struggle to meet Japanese demand. The boat has likely long passed for any new release of the PocketStation, leaving it an obscure relic of gaming history.