GameDiary

GameDiary tracks PlayStation Portable game sessions in the background and displays playtime statistics. Its PSP release pairs a kernel-mode tracking plugin with a user-mode application. It covers native PSP games and PlayStation 1 classics running through POPS, and shows per-game and total-library playtime, session history, and activity graphs. The plugin can extract game icons from EBOOT and ISO files.

The project also provides web tools for visually editing sessions and merging backups from multiple Memory Sticks or PSP consoles. The PSP app exports a backup.json file for these tools, which can be opened from a PC or smartphone. The interface supports English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, German, French, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese, with language detection based on PSP settings. Game data, settings, logs, and icons are stored on the Memory Stick. Installation requires a PSP 1000, 2000, 3000, or Go with custom firmware and a Memory Stick or MicroSD-to-MS adapter. Some homebrew that overwrites RAM boundaries or uses custom interrupts may briefly pause tracking. GameDiary is free and licensed under MIT.

GameDiary offers background play tracking, statistics, and web tools for compatible PSP setups. Installation requires custom firmware, and certain homebrew can interrupt tracking intervals temporarily.

GameDiary suits PSP owners who want background playtime tracking and session statistics for PSP games and PS1 classics running through POPS. It requires a compatible PSP with custom firmware.

GameDiary is a free playtime tracker for PlayStation Portable owners who want automatic records of PSP games and PS1 classics played through POPS. Its session history and web tools make it a useful library companion, but custom firmware and compatible PSP hardware are essential.

Overview

GameDiary combines a kernel-mode plugin that tracks play sessions in the background with a user-mode app for viewing statistics. It covers native PSP games and PS1 classics running through POPS, making it a focused option for players whose libraries span both formats. Automatic tracking saves manual logging, though some homebrew that overwrites RAM boundaries or uses custom interrupts can temporarily pause tracking intervals.

Statistics include playtime by game and across the library, session history, and activity graphs. The plugin extracts icons from EBOOTs and ISOs, which helps distinguish titles in the library without collecting artwork separately. The database, logs, settings, and icons are stored on the Memory Stick at ms0:/PSP/COMMON/GameDiary/; the PSP app can export a backup.json for use with the web tools.

Key features

The web tools include a visual session editor and a utility for merging backup files from multiple Memory Sticks or PSP consoles. These are practical additions for correcting records or consolidating play history, but they depend on exporting a backup from the PSP app. The responsive interface can be opened on a PC or smartphone.

The interface supports English, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, German, French, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese, and detects language settings from the PSP. A community-maintained compatibility list covers tested UMDs, PS1 games, and homebrew. The maker also notes that the tracking-status overlay may briefly cause flicker or visual artifacts in some games.

Pricing

GameDiary is free, and its project is licensed under the MIT License. There are no paid plans to weigh against its feature set. The maker invites users to support development with a coffee purchase or crypto donation.

Platforms

The tracker itself requires a PSP 1000, 2000, 3000, or Go running custom firmware, plus a Memory Stick or MicroSD-to-MS adapter. The release page provides a standard ZIP containing the PRX plugin and EBOOT application, along with a separate debug ZIP that produces diagnostic text logs. Although the web tools work in a browser on a PC or smartphone, they use data exported from the PSP app; the broad platform labels do not make GameDiary a general-purpose tracker for Android, iOS, desktop games, or other consoles.

Who it's for

GameDiary is best for PSP owners comfortable with custom firmware who want automatic records spanning native PSP games and POPS-based PS1 classics. Its statistics and backup tools give those players more than a simple running total. It is not the right fit for someone without compatible PSP hardware, unwilling to install custom firmware, or looking for one tracker across contemporary gaming platforms.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Automatic background tracking covers both native PSP games and PS1 classics through POPS, so sessions need not be logged manually.
• Pros: Per-game and library totals, session history, and activity graphs offer several ways to review play patterns.
• Pros: Session editing and multi-device backup merging help maintain a cleaner, consolidated history.
• Cons: Custom firmware and supported PSP hardware are required, sharply limiting who can use it.
• Cons: Certain homebrew can interrupt tracking intervals, and the overlay may briefly cause visual artifacts in some games.
• Cons: Web tools rely on a backup exported from the PSP app rather than direct browser access to PSP data.

Alternatives

For a broader tracker on other devices or games, consider Game Playtime Trackers. Choose GamePal instead if you want an iOS option with a free download and optional Platinum features, including a monthly plan at $2.99 a month. PlayTracker suits players seeking coverage across Android, iOS, web, and Windows, with a free gamer plan and a paid Indie plan at €12 a month. Actually Played is a free alternative for Minecraft on Linux, macOS, or Windows. Arknights: Endfield Playtime Tracker is a free option focused on that game for web and Windows. GamingGaiden is another free Windows option. Outplayed offers Windows plans with different hosting allowances and customization features. Game Time Manager is a free, open-source Windows-only alternative. PlayCounter is another free Windows option.

Verdict

Choose GameDiary if you own a compatible PSP, use custom firmware, and want automatic play records for both PSP and POPS-based PS1 games. Its detailed statistics and backup-editing tools serve that niche well at no cost. Look elsewhere if you need broad platform coverage or tracking that does not depend on custom firmware.