Skip to the build sheet

SAGA PSP

Credits

3D model: “Sony PSP-1000 FREE” by fodi358 (Denis), CC BY 4.0. Modified: logos removed, shell colors changed, internals added.

00/Intro

SagaPSP

Two PSP-1004s, one idea: a see-through shell that shows off the hardware inside. This is the whole build, step by step – from the first mod to the charm.

Scroll to start

01/Mod

Unlocked.

Step one, no screwdriver needed yet: the custom firmware ARK-4. With it, the PSP runs homebrew, emulators and plugins, and backups of my UMDs launch straight from storage. That storage is a 128 GB microSD in a Memory Stick Pro Duo adapter, sitting in the slot on the left side.

02/Teardown

Everything out.

Now the screwdriver comes out. The white shell comes off completely, leaving just the internals: mainboard, battery, UMD drive and display. From here on: release the ribbon cables gently and don’t lose a single screw.

03/Shell

Clear Blue.

The “Clear Blue” full housing kit replaces every part of the case. The shell is see-through, so the mainboard and battery stay visible. D-pad, face buttons and analog cap are translucent blue too, the system buttons white, the shoulder buttons clear and the side rail silver.

04/Display

IPS instead of TN.

The original display is a TN panel: colors look washed out, and the picture shifts as soon as you tilt it a little. The IPS panel has much richer colors and stays stable from every angle. The resolution stays at 480 × 272 – that’s the PSP’s native resolution.

05/Game Over

Game over for PSP #1.

The IPS screen had to be soldered in. It worked – for two days. Then PSP #1 wouldn’t turn on anymore. In real life it went out without a bang; the explosion is just for drama.

06/PSP #2

Second attempt.

New base: a black PSP-1004. The case is fine, the display isn’t – spiderweb cracks, dead pixel lines, flicker. For this build that hardly matters: the shell is getting swapped anyway.

07/Display II

Second life.

The cracked display comes out. In goes the original TN screen of the very first, white PSP – it came out for the IPS upgrade and now gets a second life. Ribbon cable in, front on, power up – and the picture is back.

08/Shell II

Clear Blue, round two.

Same kit, second PSP. The black shell parts come off, and the transparent blue shell closes around PSP #2 – with the mainboard and battery in full view.

09/Finale

The finishing touch.

Last of all, my charm goes on: a small metal ring, a clasp, done. It swings along as you scroll or move the mouse.

09/360°

All the way around.

PSP #2, finished: see-through Clear Blue shell, the original display from PSP #1 and the charm.

09/Build sheet

Build sheet.

Every part at a glance. The upgrade parts are from AliExpress; the links go straight there.

  • Base PSP #1PSP-1004 “Fat”, white
  • Base PSP #2PSP-1004 “Fat”, black, cracked display
  • Custom firmwareARK-4
  • microSD + Memory Stick Pro Duo adapter128 GB microSDAliExpress ↗
  • Full housing kit “Clear Blue”for PSP #1 and PSP #2AliExpress ↗
  • IPS kitfor PSP #1AliExpress ↗
  • Display PSP #2original TN display from PSP #1
  • Charmsmall metal ring and clasp