So, what exactly makes the grey box of tricks work then?

CPU: 32bit R3000A running at 33Mhz and capable of 33 Million Instructions Per Second (MIPS).

3D Processor: 3D Geometry Engine capable of 66MIPS.

Graphics Processor: GPU for onscreen display, plus built-in support for texture-mapping, lighting/transparancy/fogging effects.

FMV Processor: MDEC data compression engine capable of 80MIPS, offering proprietory Sony version of JPEG.

Memory: 2MB Main RAM, 1MB Video RAM, 512K audio RAM, 32K CD-ROM buffer.

Resolution: 256x480 - 640x480 high res.

Special Features: Texture-mapping, fogging, transparancy and light-sourcing.

Sound: 24 channels with built-in digital effects such as looping and digital reveb. Supports MIDI.

Save System: Removeable memory cards (128K as standard)

Controller: D-pad, four fire buttons, two 'select' buttons, four 'shift' buttons.

Dimensions: 270x60x188mm

Weight: 1.5kg