PocketStation

PocketStation

Developer	Sony Computer Entertainment
Manufacturer	Sony Corporation
Type	Peripheral, handheld video game console
Generation	Fifth
Release date	JP: January 23, 1999
Discontinued	JP: July 2002
Successor	PlayStation Portable
Emulated	✓

The PocketStation is a memory card peripheral made by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation that was released in Japan on January 23, 1999. It had a ARM7T CPU with 2KB of RAM. Software for the PocketStation was typically distributed as PlayStation CD-ROM extras, enhancing the games with added features. Stand-alone software could also be downloaded through the PlayStation console. The software is then transferred to the PocketStation for use. A built-in infrared data interface allows direct transfer of data such as game saves between PocketStation units, as well as multiplayer gaming. Around 86 games in total were compatible with the PocketStation.

Emulators

Before editing, review the Getting involved and Recommended pages. See system requirements page for performance demand of the emulators.
See tables for hardware variants, enhancements, hardware features and peripherals.
For more details such as licensing, programming language, emulation method, visit each emulator’s dedicated page.
Name	Latest version	PlayStation connectivity^{[lower-alpha 1]}	Infrared	libretro	Accuracy	License	Active	Recommended
PC/x86
PK201	20/04/28	✓^{[lower-alpha 2]}	✗	✗	Mid	Proprietary	✗	✓
MAME	0.289	✗	✗	✓	High	GPLv2 BSD-3-Clause	✓	✓
pokketstation	1.12	✗	~	✓	?	GPLv3 (GPLv3)	✓	✓
No$GBA	3.06	✗*	✗	✗	Mid	Proprietary	✓	~
PKEmu	1.1 Private Beta	✗	✗	✗	?	Proprietary	✗	✗
pockystation	git libretro	✗	✗	✓	?	MIT (Permissive)	✗	✗
Mobile/ARM
PK201	25/10/19	✓^{[lower-alpha 2]}	✗	✗	Mid	Proprietary	✓	✓
MAME	libretro core^{[lower-alpha 3]}	✗	✗	✓	High	GPLv2 BSD-3-Clause	✓	~
Console
PocketStation for PlayStation Vita	?	✓	✓^{[lower-alpha 4]}	✗	?	Proprietary	✗	✓
pokketstation	1.12	✗	~	✓	?	GPLv3 (GPLv3)	✓	✓

↑ PocketStation game to a memory card from a PS1 game, communicating with PS1 emulator etc.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 Possible with XEBRA. XEBRA is the first PlayStation emulator to include compatibility with PocketStation.
↑ As "mamearcade_libretro and mame_libretro_ios.dylib", 0.139 (2010), 0.78 (2003), 0.37b5 (2000)
↑ Via Ad-Hoc mode

Comparisons

PK201: See XEBRA#Emulating PocketStation or PK201#Usage.

MAME: Currently, a handful of games run, but some die due to odd hardware issues.

No$GBA: PocketStation as part of NO$GBA 2.7 onwards. The odd choice of emulators comes from GBA, DS and PocketStation sharing parts of the ARM architecture. Functional.

Enhancements

Name	PK201	MAME	No$GBA

Hardware features

Name		PK201	MAME	No$GBA
IrDA		✗	✗	✗
PocketStation to...	PocketStation	✗	✗	✗
	PlayStation	✓	✗	✗
	WonderSwan	✗	✗	✗

Sony(edit)

Consoles: PlayStation • PlayStation 2 • PlayStation 3 • PlayStation 4 (PS4 Pro) • PlayStation TV • PlayStation 5 (PS5 Pro)
Handhelds: PocketStation • PSP • Vita • PS Portal
Arcade: Namco System 10/11/12 • Capcom ZN-1/ZN-2 • Konami Twinkle • Konami System 573 • Konami Bemani System 573 Analog • Konami Bemani System 573 Digital • Konami GV & Baby Phoenix • Konami GQ • Taito G-NET • Taito FX-1A/FX-1B • Konami Python 1/Bemani Python 1/Python Satellite Terminal • Konami Python 2/Bemani Python 2 • Namco System 246 • Namco System 256 • Namco System Super 256 • Namco System 147 • Namco System 357 • Namco System 359 • Dissidia Final Fantasy Arcade variant

[1] PocketStation game to a memory card from a PS1 game, communicating with PS1 emulator etc.

[PS1PocketStation-2] 2.0 ^2.1 Possible with XEBRA. XEBRA is the first PlayStation emulator to include compatibility with PocketStation.

[3] As "mamearcade_libretro and mame_libretro_ios.dylib", 0.139 (2010), 0.78 (2003), 0.37b5 (2000)

[4] Via Ad-Hoc mode

[lower-alpha 1]

[lower-alpha 2]

[lower-alpha 3]

[lower-alpha 4]