Reviewed: June 27, 2005
Reviewed by: Mark Smith

Manufacturer
Mad Catz

Type: Accessory Kit
System: Sony PSP

Rating: 9.5

MSRP: $49.99
When does a portable gaming system cease to become portable? When you purchase the Mad Catz PSP Mobile Pro accessory kit, or PSP Aluminum Case, or PSP Accessory Suite. All three titles refer to the same product, so I’ll go with the name on the clamshell package that this monstrosity comes in.

Okay, take a deep breath and dive into the contents of this all-inclusive shopping spree through the PSP department at your Mad Catz online store. Seriously, the Mobile Pro kit contains all 24 items from the Mad Catz PSP accessory product line, all conveniently fitted into a durable aluminum case that looks like something from a secret agent movie.

Here is a quick rundown through the contents:

  • Vinyl Fitted Case with secure flap closure and belt loop
  • PSP USB Cable (4 ft.) to connect to a PC (the only thing not included in this kit)
  • 12 UMD Game Cases (assorted colors) to protect your games and movies from damage and scratches
  • 4 Screen Protectors with applicator to protect your screen from scratches
  • Cleaning Cloth (lint free) to keep those fingerprints off your screen
  • AC Adapter (6 ft.) to power or recharge your PSP
  • Car Adapter (6 ft.) to power or recharge your PSP in the car
  • Battery Pack provides emergency life support for your PSP (4 AAA batteries not included)
  • Headphones with high quality sound, comfortable design and superior bass response
That’s a lot of “stuff” and chances are unless you are going on a long trip you would likely never take all of this with you. The case weighs in at 5 lbs. (full) and while you could carry this on a plane, it’s certainly not as convenient as just sticking the PSP in your pocket.

Still, if you are gadget hungry or would otherwise be purchasing several (or all) of these items separately, then the Mobile Pro kit is a huge value. The aluminum case is quite stylish with a transparent top that allows you to see all the accessories in their foam-fitted cutouts. This is both a plus and a minus since you don’t always want everybody to see what you are carrying around, but then again, you don’t want a full body cavity search at airport security either.

Individually, each component is the same high quality we’ve come to expect from Mad Catz. We had already reviewed most of these components before this ultimate collectors set came around. The only thing new to the mix was the Battery Pack which is nice for emergencies but not very practical unless you invest in some rechargeable batteries.

I already have a rechargeable battery pack (from another company) that can recharge my PSP twice before needing to be recharged itself, and it’s about the same size as this one. Mad Catz has a similar battery pack coming soon, but until then, if you don’t want to stray from your brand loyalty, the Mad Catz battery pack will do in a pinch.

The headphones are very comfortable with a good frequency response, especially the bass, and they are over-the-ears, a big plus if you are like me and hate to put things in your ears.

I’m also a huge fan of the snapper cases for the UMD discs. They come in assorted colors so if you are really anal you can assign colors to movies and games or even certain genres. I prefer the clear white ones since you can actually see the game inside much easier than the darker colored ones.

If money is an issue or you only need one or two of these accessories then you’re better off going ala carte and saving a few bucks, but it only takes a few of these items individually to add up to the $50 price tag of the PSP Mobile Pro kit.

So, the bottom line is that if you were going to get any or all of these items anyway then the PSP Mobile Pro kit is the way to go. You get the biggest bang for your buck plus a handy aluminum briefcase to keep all these gadgets from getting spread out and lost around your house. You might never use all of these items, but you’ll be glad you have them just in case.