The Most Important Accessories for Your PSP

A lot of gamers have resisted buying the Sony Playstation Portable since its debut to the marketplace--some because of the price, some because of a not-so-large game library. But since Sony dropped the price, people have taken a second look at the PSP and many have decided that it is worth purchasing. After all, developers have put out a wide variety of new games for this system over the last year or so, which makes the PSP more attractive to consumers. And, with UMD movies getting more attention and shelf space at retail stores these days gamers are beginning to appreciate all that the PSP is capable of doing.

So, if you have just made made your purchase of the system, you likely have just the PSP unit and probably a few games and/or UMD movies at this point. What else do you need? There are dozens of different accessories out on the market for the PSP--which ones are necessary and which can you do without? That's what this article is for, to answer that very question.

First of all, take a look at your PSP unit. Notice the bright, shiny LCD screen? Well that screen can and will get scratched quite easily, so your first purchase needs to be some kind of protective cover for the screen for when it is not in use. Now, I'm not talking about a carrying case necessarily (though some screen protectors are cases--I'll include an example below), but some kind of plastic/foam/polycarbon fitted piece that will safeguard your screen. You can get thin plastic film protectors that you apply directly to the screen, which cost only a few dollars. Here's an example:

Bensussen Screen Guards for PSP (2pk) $4.99
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Bensussen-Screen-Guards-for-PSP-05103180/sem/rpsm/oid/176470/catOid/-16482/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Or, you can get some kind of snap on or screw on shield to cover the screen. Some completely cover the screen and are transparent; others flip up out of the way during game play and flip down to cover the screen when the PSP is not in use. Here's one type:

Logitech PlayGear Visor for PSP $9.99
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-3/qid=1179351662/ref=sr_1_3/602-7281942-4694223?ie=UTF8&asin=B000ANJTMM

My favorite, though, is a protective cover that also acts as a carrying case. You need a carrying case anyway, so you might as well get the best bang for your buck and buy a case that also functions as protection for the LCD screen. Here's the one that I use and really like:

PlayGear Pocket for PSP by Logitech $12.99
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=SEARCH&Ntt=PSP&N=0&Dx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&D=PSP&Ntk=All&product_code=333817&Pn=PlayGear_Pocket_for_PSP

The PlayGear Pocket is ideal for the PSP because it the system fits inside like a glove. It has a hard polycarbonate shell and a foam padding inside that cradles the PSP securely--and, this case allows you to play the PSP while it is sitting in the case because it has holes which let you access the shoulder buttons as well as the power button, the charger port, and the headphone port.

But, some people prefer a case that has space in which to store games and UMD movies, or at least a case with a handle. If that is you, you may want to purchase the PlayGear Visor or some screen guards along with a sturdy, padded case. Your case needs to durable and thickly lined just in case you accidentally drop or bump your PSP when you are carrying it somewhere. This one has space for the console unit as well as up to 22 UMD movies and/or games:

PSP G-Pak Travel Case $19.99
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?sku=A0961103&cs=19&c=us&l=en

This case is another fine choice. It has a place for the PSP to sit securely in foam padding and it has room for a few UMD discs as well as some other accessories:

Vanguard SNAP Compact Hard Case for PSP $19.99
http://www.bundlecity.com/items/item.aspx?itemid=517778

What else do you need? A memory stick, for one thing. This is necessary if you plan on ever saving any of your games. And, you need to have one if you want to be prepared for downloading any type of media to your PSP system. Now, I can't tell you exactly what size of memory stick to purchase--that depends completely on what you intend to do with your PSP. If you really aren't sure what size you need, talk to an associate at the video game store--explain what you will be using your PSP for and ask for their recommendation. Then shop around for the best price--look at the video game store, of course, but also check electronics stores, or even Ebay.

Another must have is something with which to clean your PSP screen and face. Actually the entire PSP--the whole thing is a dust and fingerprint magnet! You need to wipe it down with something before each time you use it. Yes, you can buy special cleaners made specifically for the PSP, or you can find a starter kit that includes a cleaning cloth, but I have found a better option. (And, incidentally, this is the very same product I recommend for cleaning the screens of the Nintendo DS--check out my article on accessories for that system.) Go to any drugstore and head to the eye care section. You will see several different lens cloths, the type meant for cleaning eyeglasses. Choose one of these--though make sure not to select one of the pre-moistened types. A lens cloth is perfect for cleaning dust and fingerprints from your PSP--it is gentle, won't scratch the unit, and is lint free. Best of all, it is much cheaper than any product that was specifically designed for cleaning the video game system! Here's the one I currently use:

3M Microfiber Lens Cleaning Cloth $2.79
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=82412&catid=47337&trx=PLST-0-

Now, is there anything else that you need? Not as far as I'm concerned. Of course you can purchase any one of the dozens of other accessories out on the market, but none of them are really essential to the enjoyment of your new PSP system. Some accessories you may decide that you need sometime in the future--perhaps you will need a headphone set and a car adapter/charger for the next time you travel. Or maybe after awhile you might want to make your PSP look different than everyone else's, so you may want to buy a faceplate or a set of skins. Sometime down the road you may want to give your discs and system a good cleaning, so you may want to buy an optical lens cleaner or a UMD disc cleaner. Or, of course, you may someday decide to buy a wrist strap, or a set of speakers for when you watch movies, or a set of handgrips to make playing games more comfortable. But none of these are really necessary, unless you decide that they are. In that case, be sure to shop around for the best price--since there are so many stores selling PSP accessories, you will likely be able to find a good deal somewhere.

Whatever you do, take the time to learn about your new system--explore its possibilities and have fun with all of them!