How Tos

How to download PSP Minis

Bite-sized fun straight to your PSP

How to download PSP Minis
|
PSP
| PSP Minis

Finally, Sony has let open the floodgates for small, pocket money-priced PSP games that enable those of us without an iPhone – or who want to play games with a joypad and buttons – to get in on the fun.

Although launched with the arrival of the neat PSPgo hardware, any PSP can get access to the Minis (unlike Nintendo's DSi-only DSiWare store).

Of course, the Mini games are only available as downloads.

This process is exactly the same as downloading any other PSP game but to give everyone a reminder, here's the process I went through when I bought launch game Bloons.

Note that in order to access the PlayStation Store, you will have to set up the wi-fi connection on your PSP, as well as registered on the site, and have cash in your account.

If you're confused about any of these things, check out the following How Tos:

How to set-up wireless networking on your PSP

How to register on the PlayStation Store PSP

You'll also need to have downloaded and installed the latest PSP firmware (currently v6.10).

How to update your PSP firmware

With all of the elements in place, this is what you then do when downloading Minis directly onto the PSP (other processes enable you to download via your PC or PlayStation 3, which we aim to cover soon).


Switch on your PSP and move along the Crossbar to the far right side and select the PlayStation Store option – under the PlayStation Network icon.


Because I've already set up my options to automatically log me into the PlayStation Store and I'm already wi-fi connected, I'm straight into the Store.

You can see the Minis logo on the lefthand menu, under PSP Games.


At launch, there are 13 PSP Minis games. I've selected Bloons from publisher Hands-on Mobile. You can scroll around the other games using the D-pad.


Press the X button to bring up more details about any game. From this screen, you can add the game to your Cart – if you want to buy multiple games for example – or select Buy Now.


Selecting Buy Now takes you to the buying screen. As you can see I only have 54p in my wallet (the average weekly wage for a game journalist, as it happens) so I will have to add funds.

The PlayStation Store works on a wallet system where you can only add fixed amounts of £5, £10, £20, £30, £50 and £99.46 (go figure that last one).


In this case, to buy Bloons, I'll have to add at least £5 to my wallet, which as the game costs me £3.49, would leave me with £2.05, maths fans.


Feeling flush, I've actually added £15 to my wallet, so after buying Bloons, I'll be left with £12.05.


With the purchase confirmed – you will also be sent an email confirmation of your transaction – the download process begins.


Minis games are small. In this case, Bloons is only 8.7MB, so the download onto your Memory Stick Pro (or Flash memory if you have a PSPgo) is quick.


Once downloaded, the game is installed. Just follow the prompt.


Selecting my Memory Stick Pro from the PSP Crossbar, I can see the Bloons icon and an explanation of the game.


There. Bloons successfully downloaded and playable on my PSP.

That's it. Don't miss our How To guides for PSP, as well as other portable platforms.

Jon Jordan
Jon Jordan
A Pocket Gamer co-founder, Jon can turn his hand to anything except hand turning. He is editor-at-large at PG.biz which means he can arrive anywhere in the world, acting like a slightly confused uncle looking for the way out. He likes letters, cameras, imaginary numbers and legumes.