Most TVs completely mess up the fit to screen effect and blowout the image or introduce input lag. Yes, you can use an adapter but only the expensive ones work very well. Feel free to suggest an adapter that is affordable. PSP doesn't just fail to fit to a screen. It doesn't even fill up half the real estate on the screen. This isn't just a few black bars kind of situation. A lot of TVs in 2005 when the PSP launched didn't even have component inputs. Especially 2nd hand TVs that would be in a kid's or teenager's room.

What makes Switch so great is that it simply docks and works. It sends the correct aspect ratio and resolution to all TVs without any issues or extra equipment to buy.

P.S. Here's what your Megadrive looks like with the PAL black bars. They are tiny. PSP leaves half the screen unfilled. Your Megadrive example is apples to oranges.

Handheld and home console are just two different form factors of a dedicated gaming console.
A handheld has a screen and controls all in one portable device - generally capable of putting into your pocket.
A home console is to be played on the TV with separate controllers.
A hybrid console (like the Switch) can convert to both these things, and sometimes more (Switch can also be a small tablet device).

PSP is a handheld, and a plugging it into a TV doesn’t change that unless it uses separate controllers. Then it would be a hybrid.

Out of the box, the PSP had no way to connect to a TV. So, no it wasn't a hybrid, The Switch is clearly intended to be both.

The distinction between home and mobile doesn't really matter any more. Mobile hardware is powerful enough to run any home console games (albeit with lower graphics settings)...

Not we, you are.

Actually Atari VCS/2600 and Famicom weren't closed platforms in the way you suggest. Anyone could make and release a game on the systems. PS4/5 are the same hardware as your typical PC. The reason why "not anyone can" release a game on PS5 for example, or Xbox 360 or N64, is because they're designed as such closed platforms.

When did I say I was surprised? There has been nothing surprising to me about people's reaction in this thread. The only thing that surprises is the people on here that call themselves gamers, are defending a handheld that isn't getting any big third party games anymore (apart from sonic/shadow generations) because the switch is so underpowered. Don't they want a more powerful platform that doesn't miss out on so many games?   

I know it's not a perfect comparison but my point was, we can't just disqualify consoles/handhelds without TV output from being considered as legitimate experience because the image they put out on a modern screen looks like turd. The hardware in the PSP is 20 years old, of course it's going to look like turd on a modern screen. If we go by that logic we would have to disqualify a lot of older consoles as well because they won't look good on modern screens either. 

"SP is a handheld, and a plugging it into a TV doesn’t change that unless it uses separate controllers. Then it would be a hybrid"

Well I'm glad you said that because on the PSP Go you can hook up a Dualshock 3 via Bluetooth and play it that way if you want. A true "hybrid" experience. 

It costs millions to do the research and development on these handhelds/consoles. Why would Sony invest in adding a feature and intend for it not to be used? Yeah sure, they didn't do as good of a job with the marketing but just because they're attempt at getting people to play PSP's on their TV's failed, doesn't mean we can just disregard their effort and say it was never intended for TV play. 

Mobile hardware is powerful enough any home console game? How can you know that when mobile hardware is missing so many AAA games. 

What AAA games are mobile hardware missing? Keep in mind, Steam Deck and the other mobile PCs are mobile hardware.

I forgot about things like the ROG ally and steam deck but I would like to change my answer anyway. A portable is a platform that contains a screen and battery and a home console is one that needs to be connected to TV and mains socket. Why should we do away with the distinction between portables and home consoles? They're both very different. Power and specs are irrelevant.

THANK YOU for this post. A picture says 1000 words. All these platforms here are considered handhelds but can do exactly the same as the Switch. Why does the switch get a special category for it when all the others don't? It's not fair on the other platforms

I could easily ask what is the point of the distinction now? That's the part you are not understanding, in the past the point was due to technology restraints or the price would be absurd. Why purchase a portable device at a higher price because you want to play on your television when you could just purchase the device meant to play on your TV (the home console)?

Regardless this is a pointless butthurt console warrior debate. Sony refers to their consoles and handheld devices as "gaming systems" proven by the 500 million achievement in 2018 where Sony combined the sales of PS1, PS2, PSP, PS3, PS Vita, and PS4. In other words, they are all gaming systems no matter the subcategories of home, handheld, and hybrid. PS2 will likely always be the highest selling home console and is still also the highest selling gaming system. Sony and Nintendo have been consistent in pushing this agenda in calling PSP, PS Vita, and Nintendo Switch as portable devices offering console experiences. Nintendo calls the Switch a "portable home console" not just a home console and you know this, you are just purposely being obtuse because of your hurt. 

I'll repeat, you are correct the Switch will never be the highest/biggest selling home console however it doesn't want that petty title. It wants to be called the highest selling video game system! So cry all you want, it changes nothing. That's why some posters refuse to engage, you are flat out dictating everyone else trying to strong arm us into an argument never made. They are all video game systems (hardware) and all require a way to actually view the video game (software), whether that's an external monitor like a TV or built in internal monitors like the handhelds. You are trying to bully us into using your terms such as console or handheld when I, Sony, and Nintendo have no issue with considering them all video game systems.

Edit: I forgot to mention, the Switch isn't considered what it is due to just connecting to the TV and everything coming in the box. The other things that aren't mentioned but are important to what the product offers are the detachable controllers. I'm not sure why this isn't mentioned enough but that's what makes it all so brilliant. The controllers are incredibly versatile and people like you seem to forget they allow for all types of games including motion control gaming like what Wii offered, a home console. Handhelds don't push motion control gaming for a reason, it isn't suited for them. The Switch becoming more powerful in docked mode also matters because the whole point of down clocking is to be actually portable ie battery. I dont really understand what could be down to make it a hybrid in some of your eyes because what else could be done?

It's impossible to dictate to/ strongarm others into anything with forum threads. You are being incredibly dramatic. If the moderators felt this was a non genuine trolling thread they would have closed it already, but they have even been in here discussing with me. If the mods can engage with me no problem, why can't everyone? Your making this very personal and it's unnecessary. 

I dont really understand what could be down to make it a hybrid in some of your eyes because what else could be done?

Having it so you can connect a graphics card to the dock so you can boost the resolution if you want to? That would be a true hybrid. It's got nothing to do with connecting controllers or multiplayer. You can connect multiple controllers to android phones if you want. How does multiple controllers or multiplayer transform a handheld into a home console hybrid.