Sony Computer Entertainment hopes to make the PSP more appealing this year by expanding its catalogue with downloadable third-party retro and PSone games via its PlayStation Network service.

Sony's Head of Marketing John Koller told MTV Multiplayer that it is looking to bring some of the classic titles from the past to the PSP.

"PSOne is included, but everything is on the table," Koller said. "We look for some of those big hits from all of the past games in their history and look for ways we can bring them over.”

"It's not always easy. There's obviously technical areas that need to be bridged. But when those are solved, consumers will see a wide variety of retro games and brand new games coming to PSN."

Following a dip in software sales in 2008, Sony hopes that 2009 will see a renewed interest in its hand-held. A few weeks ago, it confirmed that its 2009 software line-up will be bolstered by three big name titles, including a version of the PS3 platform game, LittleBigPlanet.

Motorstorm: Artic Edge and Buzz Brain! are the two other titles that Sony say are just the start of an “exciting year for PSP.”