Sony ceases PocketStation production

Sony Computer Entertainment has announced it will discontinue production of its PlayStation peripheral PocketStation. The device is a memory card with a built-in 32-bit RISC chip, equipped with a 32x32 dot pixel black and white LCD, five control buttons, and infrared ports. Past PlayStation titles such as Capcom's Street Fighter Zero 3 and Square's Final Fantasy VIII made use of the PocketStation for minigames and other extra features. The device was not available in North America and Europe.

According to SCE representatives, the total shipment number is expected to be approximately 4.9 million units. Despite the news, the PocketStation is still available in stores in Japan, including online shopping Web site PlayStation.com.