1. Check the PSP series

- If you get the 2000 series, most likely you can crack the OFW (Official Firmware) provided by Sony and replaced it with a CFW (Custom Firmware). In this way, the PSP can be fully modified to play ISO and CSO games.

- Alternatively, you could get the 3000 series but however you cannot fully modified the PSP. It is only modifiable by a program called ChickHen. With this version of modifications, you cannot shutdown the PSP entirely, you can only place the PSP in standby mode. If the battery runs out, the modifications are reset to default settings on next startup which means your modification is gone. =/ So you have to remod each time your psp goes out of power/shutdown.


2. Check the PSP CFW version

- It should be at least 3.90 M33-3 to play normal games and up to 5.00 M33 to play the latest games. CFW 5.00 M33 version is the more stable version as I heard from my friend. However, the latest version in the market now should be CFW 5.50 Gen D3.


3. Check the physical conditions

- I checked for scratches at the PSP casing and its UMD ring at the back of the PSP(seems to be more common to have scratches at UMD ring).

- I also checked for the buttons, functionalities like play the games for a while to test out the set. My set has 1 problem which is the WIFI LED light is always on even if I turned off the set but it does not affected game play so I did not bother to refund my set.


4. Check the price

- Currently, a new PSP Slim 2000 series is selling at $350 - $380. I believed there is 2 versions, one version can be fully modified but another can only modified to ChickHen which means half modified. Usually they will state it in the descriptions or you have to clarify with them.

- While in the secondhand market like the HWZ, people are selling around $180-$250 for a secondhand PSP. This price usually included a 4GB MS Pro Duo memory card. A scratch free usually cost slightly closer to $250 so if you can get 1 scratchless set at a lower price, you can grab it.


5. Check the memory card included

- Those sellers usually included a 4GB MS Pro Duo Memory card in the price they mentioned so if they do not included the card, make sure they sell you at $20 - $30 lesser to compensate you for the loss.

- I got a PSP set without a card because the owner wanna keep the card so an good alternative will be to get a card on your own at Sim Lim Square etc.. For me, I bought 2 new MicroSD card 8GB each and connected them together via a MS Pro Duo Adaptor to form a 16GB MS Pro Duo Memory Card. This is a cheaper alternative compare to getting a MS Pro Duo 16GB Memory Card. You can use the PSP to format this card and you just need to pump in the ISO and CSO games to start playing.


Hope the info is useful and have fun !!!