HTC will likely be among the first makers of devices to get PlayStation certification and thus gain ability to play specially ported PlayStation games on its Google Android-based smartphones and tablets, according to a market rumour. Compatibility with PlayStation titles should become a huge benefit for HTC in the battle against Apple, Samsung and others.

In a bid to boost sales of its old video games for the original PlayStation, Sony Computer Entertainment decided to port them onto Android (version 2.3 and higher) operating system, but let only select devices to play them by commencing a “PlayStation Certified” license program for hardware manufacturers. Through this program, SCE will offer necessary support, including development support as well as logo licensing, to ensure the delivery of PlayStation quality experience across various devices.

According to Pocket-Lint web-site, HTC will be among the first to launch actual "PlayStation Certified" devices and integrate PlayStation Store with unique content onto those tablets and smartphones. While it is unknown when HTC releases its PlayStation-certified products, it will rather happen sooner than later. Potentially, the company may formally unveil them already this month at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Although playing older games on a new device provides nostalgic experience, this will hardly become a significant selling point of those smartphones or tablets. Quality of today's video games for mobiles is fairly high and it will take leading game designers several quarters to achieve the level of PlayStation 2 or even PlayStation 3, which will make games for the PSone obsolete even on mobile devices.

Sony promises that the PlayStation mobile store will carry a lot more than games for the original PlayStation ported to Android. Some content may even be compatible with Sony PlayStation Vita, which suggests rather high level of visual realism.

Tags: Sony, Playstation, PSP, Android, Sony Ericsson