Reviewed: January 24, 2007
Reviewed by: Dave Hillyer

Manufacturer
Mad Catz

Type: Case
System: PSP

Rating: 9.0

MSRP: $19.99

Features

  • The only official NFL licensed graphics for your PSP
  • Interchangeable graphics inserts for ALL 32 NFL teams included
  • Simply choose & insert team graphics then place PSP inside case and close
  • Transparent impact resistance polycarbonate case
  • Play-and-protect case allows access to all PSP buttons
  • Flip out PSP stand

    		•
    When I got my PSP on Black Friday (I just couldn’t pass up the deal!), it didn’t take long for me to be concerned about the lack of any substantial protection for the screen. When traveling I also found myself trying to watch videos but didn’t have a stable way to prop the PSP up for extended viewing on the plane or in a hotel room.

    Santa was good to me this year. A nice package of NFL gaming hardware arrived for me this Christmas, including the MadCatz Console Jersey Showcase for PSP!

    MadCatz has the corner on pro sports accessories for the various game systems. They have official licenses for the NFL, MLB, and NBA. They’ve had the NFL license for a few years and there really hasn’t been much available for the PSP for any type of customization.

    Installation of the case was a little tricky but once on, you are rewarded with a nice looking presentation. You start by placing the back graphics in the case. Then place the PSP in the bottom, snuggly fitting it into place. Then you place the face graphics on the PSP and snap the top down over it. It can be a little tricky to get the graphics to stay, but after a couple tries I got them situated correctly.

    The clear case covers the screen nicely. All the buttons and jacks are easily accessible. The back has a flip out door to allow access to the UMD compartment. An added feature, which I love, is the bottom has a flip out stand which can be used to stabilize the PSP so you can watch movies on the plane or put it on the nightstand for a quick dose of Robot Chicken before going to sleep.

    The case does add some bulk to the PSP, which is a good thing overall. The buttons and screen are well protected. But if you have a fitted travel case like mine (I have a Nyko case with battery pack for traveling), the PSP won’t fit.

    There is one other minor issue. It’s not possible to swap out the memory card without removing the case. I have a 2 gig card, so I won’t remove it often, but on my last trip I had another card with MP3’s on it to hook into my car stereo. So I had to remove the case, replace the card, and go through the delicate process of placing the graphics correctly so the case would close and everything would be back to normal. The only other foreseeable problem is my case is getting dinged up and scratched… which is exactly what it’s supposed to do. But at this rate my case won’t last a year! I guess I need to be more careful.

    Having all 32 NFL team graphics included also allows for a quick change should fortune not favor your favorite team. I was born in Wisconsin, so I have this extra chromosome that makes me like beer, brats, cheese curds and the Packers. However since I don’t live in my beloved cheesehead country, and the Packers are looking forward to next season, I could (in theory) switch my graphics to the Colts for the Super Bowl (I can’t cheer for the Bears or I’d risk going to hell). I personally would never switch my graphics out since I’m a Packers fan. It doesn’t matter who plays in the Super Bowl, I cheer for the Packers. That’s just the way Packer fans are. But everyone likes to have options and the extra graphics might be for you.

    If you are an artsy person, you might find this kit to be a nice opportunity to display your work. You can use the NFL graphics as a template to make your own in Photoshop.

    This cover has prevented a lot of heartache for me – the cover has scratches that would have been on my PSP if not for this protective case. All in all, $20 is a small price to pay for a functional protective cover and stand with all the NFL graphics to support your favorite team.