Carnival Colours Radiant Red PSP-3006 (2009)

The Carnival Colours Radiant Red PSP-3006 is a striking, special-edition variant of the third main iteration of Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld console, the PSP-3000 series, which was notably slimmer and lighter than its predecessor. The most distinct feature of the Radiant Red model is its vibrant, metallic red casing, which was part of the “Carnival Colours” collection released to give the system a more expressive and personalized look, alongside “Vibrant Blue,” “Bright Yellow,” and “Spirited Green” options. In terms of technology, it retains the PSP-3000’s advancements, including an improved 4.3-inch LCD screen with enhanced brightness, a wider colour gamut, and anti-reflection technology to make outdoor play easier. It is a full-featured portable entertainment system, capable of playing games via Universal Media Discs (UMD), playing movies, viewing photos, listening to music, and accessing the internet via Wi-Fi.

This brightly coloured model was first announced in early 2009 for the Asian markets (including the PSP-3006 regional code), with the Radiant Red and Vibrant Blue variants often being the first to be released, hitting stores around March 2009 in Japan. The reception was largely positive, particularly among collectors and consumers who appreciated the console’s unique and eye-catching aesthetic, which stood out against the standard black, white, and silver options. The Radiant Red colour scheme, often available in value packs with colour-matched accessories, successfully helped to revitalize interest in the PSP-3000 by adding a strong dose of personality to a console already recognized for its multimedia capabilities and robust game library.