ZARA Sells PSP-Inspired Cross-Body Bag

London readers with a soft spot for retro handhelds may want a look at this one, ZARA has started selling a cross-body bag inspired by Sony's PlayStation Portable, or PSP. The product was noted by Japanese gaming site 4Gamer.net, which briefly reported its availability.

The PSP, released in 2004, was known for its wide screen, 4.3-inch LCD with a resolution of 480 by 272 pixels, and its UMD drive. Those details gave the handheld a very distinct look, and that industrial design is clearly what ZARA has borrowed here.

4Gamer.net did not give details on the bag's materials or dimensions, but the visual reference to Sony's handheld is plain. For anyone who remembers the PSP's sleek shell and central button layout, the connection is immediate.

This kind of mainstream nod to retro gaming hardware is always interesting, because it shows how far the PSP's design has travelled beyond the console itself. It is not about the hardware inside, such as the MIPS R4000-based CPU clocked at up to 333 MHz, but about the shape and identity that made the machine stand out.

We have seen plenty of renewed interest in classic handhelds, from FPGA systems like the Analogue Pocket to modern Linux-based devices from makers such as Anbernic and Miyoo. If you want more RetroShell coverage like this, keep an eye on our news tag for the latest stories.

For the original report, see 4Gamer.net. ZARA's own site is the best place to check current stock and regional availability.