It’s unfortunate that the PSP never enjoyed the same legendary status that the Gameboy or Nintendo DS did. Compared to Nintendo’s offerings, it had a clean sleek glossy design and some very innovative ideas hiding under the hood. The PSP Go and PSP Vita were even more ground-breaking.
Because of the way they appealed to serious gamers, Sony’s line of portable consoles still has a cult following. Only true gaming connoisseurs such as you and myself can appreciate the PSP’s importance. After all, that is why you’re reading this guide. Either to discover new titles or reminisce over the old.
Whatever the reason may be, we decided to compile a list of the best PlayStation Portable titles of all time to help you deepen your collection.
Top 12 Best PSP Titles of All Time
Indie kid and/or hipster (I mean this as in the classic sense of the word, not the derogatory) subculture brought with it a lot of contrarian and retro fashion. It became trendy to own an old bedazzled Gameboy Advance. Old devices and tech became fashion accessories.
That’s why older portable devices like the PSP or Microsoft’s Zune are seeing a resurgence. Purchasing a cheap PSP from a pawnshop, eBay, or while you’re out thrift-shopping can be a bit of good business.
There are a lot of great forgotten titles worth revisiting on the PSP. Honestly, playing games on the PSP is still far better than playing them on your smartphone – gamepad or no gamepad. These are the top 12 of the best PSP titles of all time.
#1 Best PSP Game Overall – God of War: Chains of Olympus
- Date of Release: 4 March 2008
- Developer(s): Ready at Dawn
- Publisher(s): Sony Computer Entertainment (Capcom for JP version)
- Game Modes: Single-Player
- Genre: Action-Adventure, Hack-n-Slash
- Buy It Here
The God of War series has been absolutely pivotal to Sony’s success. It has been a staple of nearly every PlayStation console since the first game was introduced to us on the PS2.
Just like how 2018’s God of War is arguably the PlayStation 4’s best exclusive, God of War: Chains of Olympus is the PSP’s best game.
God of War: Chains of Olympus Story
I have always seen God of War as an allegory of the tithes of anger and blind loyalty. This is the third God of War game in order of release and the second, chronologically. It serves as a prequel to the events of the first God of War.
As a mercenary for the gods, a slightly more restrained Kratos is tasked with rescuing the sun god, Helios, from the Titan, Atlas. During his mission, he will uncover a conspiracy that goes beyond Helios or Atlas. It’s a great way to set the tone for the other games in the series.
God of War: Chains of Olympus Gameplay
Just like the other games in the series, Chains of Olympus is filled with button-mashing hack-n-slash combat. It also allows you to fell your foes in some very creative and violent ways.
You don’t get the same variety of combos or weapons you’d expect from the main games. However, what the devs have managed to fit into the PSP version is impressive. Just like the main games, you will be required to solve a few puzzles to get past certain levels.
In total, the game’s average run-time is six hours. Your favorite speedrunner could probably complete it in half that time. Either way, it has enough content to keep you busy while you make your morning commute.
God of War: Chains of Olympus Graphics
At the time of its release, I didn’t’ expect much from GoW: CoO – visually speaking. It surprised me. I went in expecting PS1-level graphics and was presented with smooth textures and detailed character models instead.
Yes, it doesn’t compare to PS2 or PS3 graphics but it’s far from being an eyesore.
God of War: Chains of Olympus Overall Review
You get everything you’d expect from a God of War game. Challenging gameplay, a compelling story, awesome voice acting, and a thematic soundtrack. It’s a truly great game for both self-isolation as well as travel.
#2 Best Open World PSP Game – Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
- Date of Release: 20 October 2009
- Developer(s): Rockstar Leeds, Rockstar North
- Publisher(s): Rockstar Games
- Game Modes: Single-Player, Multiplayer
- Genre: Sandbox, Open World, Crime, Action-adventure
- Buy It Here
GTA Chinatown Wars took the series back to its classic roots with updated mechanics and a few fresh ideas. With an opening track performed by The Wu-Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah and reclusive underground rap legend MF Doom, you know that you’re in for a great game.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Story
The Grand Theft Auto series has a habit of letting gamers control scumbag protagonists. It wouldn’t work any other way. Once again, the game is set in Liberty City, the GTA’s version of New York. This time, you take on the role of Huang Lee, the son of a prominent Triad boss.
Because of the death of his father, Huang is assigned the task of delivering the family heirloom to the new patriarch of the family – his uncle Wu Lee. As with other entries in the Grand Theft Auto series, things go south as soon as Huang lands in Liberty City.
He must recover the sword and uncover the reason behind his father’s death. Along the way, you’ll meet your slew of corrupt but loveable GTA-style characters. As with many other installments in the series, the writing is full of dark humor but there are a lot of heartfelt moments thrown into the mix too.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Gameplay
As you’d expect, Rockstar did not switch up its formula for Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars. It’s an open-world game that allows free roaming between missions. No surprise there. These days, Rockstar virtually trades in nothing else but awesome open-world games.
However, GTA Chinatown Wars takes it back to the first two entries in the GTA series. It’s played from a top-down angle. However, combat and driving have been updated.
In terms of multiplayer, the PSP version of GTA: CTW allows up to two players through the PSP’s ad hoc connection. There are a plethora of modes to keep you and your friend entertained for hours. These modes include death races, king of the mountain modes (stash dash), defend the base modes, deathmatches, and a gangbang mode. This game is worth purchasing, just for the local multiplayer alone.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Graphics
As you may know, GTA: CTW is a port from the Nintendo DS. The PSP version does away with the cell-shaded graphics for textures that are a lot smoother.
Despite being played from a similar camera angle to the GTA I and II, the graphics are almost three dimensional – particularly the walls and boxes. The camera is also closer to the action than the two first games in the series. During combat, it takes an almost isometric angle.
Some of the textures can be pixelated or rough around the edges. Furthermore, the physics can be cartoonish at times. Cars do not react to crashes as they should and the controllable character does not move as a human should. But it would not be as fun if it was realistic.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Overall Review
The great thing about GTA: Chinatown Wars is it offers you escapism on a tiny screen. After a day of being a law-abiding citizen, it allows you to be a drug dealer or a mass murder. It’s an awesome way to de-stress and release some pent-up aggression in these trying times.
That’s why it’s second on our list of the best PSP titles of all time.
#3 Best PSP Puzzle Game – Lumines II
- Date of Release: 6 November 2006
- Developer(s): Q Entertainment
- Publisher(s): Bandai
- Game Modes: Single-Player, Multiplayer
- Genre: Puzzle
- Buy It Here
With over 500 million copies sold, Tetris is the highest selling game of all time. Lumines’ popularity proves that there is space on ‘serious’ gaming consoles for puzzle-based games. These days, it’s hard to find a fully-fledged puzzle game on Sony and Microsoft’s consoles.
Games like Lumines tend to be reserved as mini-games in bigger sandbox games like Yakuza and GTA V. Other than that, they are also catered to casual mobile gamers. Lumines comes from a time when puzzle games were still taken seriously. When they were fun standalone games.
As we all know, there’s no better place to play a puzzle game than on a legendary handheld device like the PSP.
Lumines II Story
I don’t know what you were expecting here but Lumines II doesn’t have a story. I know there are puzzle games with intricate plots and stories like Gris and The Talos Principle. However, Lumines II isn’t one of them.
Lumines II Gameplay
The simplest games always seem to be the most addictive. The easier a game is to understand, the quicker you can pick it up and just play it. No unnecessary lore or cutscenes.
Lumines II is very similar to Tetris but instead of using tiles or shapes to connect and clear lines, you use decorated blocks to connect and clear rectangular (square) shapes.
Music and atmosphere are a key part of the game. Each level feels like a different mood in a Japanese karaoke bar. Games like these never get old. You are always trying to break your previous record.
The game does offer some reprieve from the monotony of its base gameplay with a variety of game modes. You get a challenge mode, VS CPU mode, duel mode, mission mode, skin edit mode, etc.
Lumines II Graphics
Lumines II is generally a 2D game. Squares in the game can sport skeuomorph, flat or material designs depending on the theme or level. Lumines II allows players to design and edit their own skins. This was a feature that was completely new to the Lumines series.
Themes, music, and style are very important pieces of the gameplay. As your progress through the game, levels can go from chilled to busy. It feels like Tetris on cocaine.
Lumines II Overall Review
The entire Lumines series is worth a revisit, even if it is just as a history lesson in gaming. Much like Tetris, Lumines’ formula has stood the test of time. That’s why it’s one of the best puzzle games of all time.
You don’t even have to own a PSP to play it. You can purchase and play the 2018 Nintendo Switch Remaster.
#4 Best PSP RPG – Persona 3 Portable
- Date of Release: 13 July 2006
- Developer(s): Atlus
- Publisher(s): Atlus
- Game Modes: Single-Player
- Genre: RPG
- Buy It Here
If you’re an Otaku and you enjoy drama driven slice-of-life anime with a supernatural touch, then the Persona series should be up your alley. The second (Persona 2: Innocent Sin), third (Persona 2: Eternal Punishment) and fifth (Person 4) games are all available on the PSP.
Today, we’ll be looking at the 4th portable installment because it’s the most pivotal…at least on the PSP.
Persona 3 Portable Story
With the release of Persona 5: Royal, Atlus once again highlighted its ability to produce some of the best RPGs of recent history.
The most important part of the Persona series is the story. Even on a handheld system like the PSP, this was still an important aspect of the overall experience. You’ll be engaging in a lot of dialogue in the game.
You play as a high school student who joins a group known as the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad, after learning that s/he can manifest a Persona.
Personas are inner selves or rather, inner demons that can be summoned by your character shooting himself/herself in the head with a gun known as an Evoker. We could analyze this as some sort of symbolism but that isn’t important.
Simulation is also a key part of Persona. You’ll be living your character’s daily life. From school to building and maintaining relationships. That’s where the drama comes in. However, when your character is not doing all these things, s/he’ll be battling monsters known as shadows.
Persona 3 Portable Gameplay
To battle the Shadows, you’ll go into an area known as the Tartarus which can only be visited during the evenings (after school). Tartarus serves as the main dungeon.
The game is party-based. You can explore Tartarus with various members of the SEES. During these segments, the gameplay feels akin to turn-based JRPG’s such as certain entries in the Final Fantasy franchise.
Persona 3 Portable Graphics
Persona’s PSP graphics are surprisingly good – relatively speaking. The game came out in the PS2 era. Certain features and graphics are scaled down to accommodate the PSP’s hardware. Yet still, the devs did a wonderful job porting it.
Persona 3 Portable Overall Review
Persona 3 is a condensed version of the original, but it also offers new characters, stories, and background music. Speaking of music, Persona 3 has one of the best gaming soundtracks of all time. It was produced entirely by Shoji Meguro.
Persona’s characters are bound to stick with you days after completion. It’s an immersive experience, irreplicable by any other game.
#5 Best PSP Platforming Game – Daxter
- Date of Release: 14 March 2006
- Developer(s): Ready at Dawn, Naughty Dog (Producer)
- Publisher(s): Sony Computer Entertainment
- Game Modes: Single-Player, Multiplayer
- Genre: Platform
- Buy It Here
If it wasn’t for exclusives (and their price tags), Sony’s consoles would probably not keep consistently winning over Microsoft’s – in terms of sales. When you think of the best platforming exclusive on the Xbox One or Xbox 360, what comes to mind? It’s not an easy question to respond quickly to.
Sony, on the other hand, has had a wealth of platform game franchises. From Crash Bandicoot (exclusive until 2000) to Ratchet and Clank. A series that never seemed to have the same amount of clout as the aforementioned titles is Jak and Daxter.
This is disappointing, considering the potential of the series. Sadly, we never got to see a Jak and Daxter and Ratchet and Clank crossover. Although, we can still reminisce…
Daxter Story
The third (and fourth) installment in the franchise focused mainly on Jak, as the title would suggest, this game focuses squarely on Daxter. The game is a prequel to Jak and Daxter II. As a character, Daxter has always served as a counterpoint to Jak’s broodiness.
It starts off with Jak being captured and arrested by lower-tier officers of the Krimzon Guard. Daxter was lucky enough to escape their clutches. The story then jumps to two years later and follows Daxter’s misadventures and his quest to jailbreak Jak.
Daxter Gameplay
Daxter is a platformer and as such, you get your staple platformer game mechanics. Daxter can double jump and grab onto ledges. He can also crouch to squeeze through narrow spaces. In the later levels of the game, players acquire a jetpack which allows Daxter to fly.
Combat is primarily melee based. The game starts you off with a bug swatter. Eventually, you’ll get an extermination tank that can later be upgraded with various attachments.
Daxter Graphics
Daxter’s graphics are surprisingly good. Very reminiscent of Crash Bandicoot in terms of texture and character design. In the game, Daxter will visit a plethora of new areas in New Haven, unvisited in previous games.
To match his high-spirited personality, the areas which you explore in the game are generally brighter and more colorful than the areas you’ve traversed through in the other installments of the series.
Daxter Overall Review
Through the power of Mario and its spin-offs, Nintendo remains the king of platforming games. However, Daxter still offers a unique platforming experience – in its gameplay and story. It seems that gaming companies are more invested in making 2D or hybrid platformers, thanks to their indie success but there’s still a place for 3D platformers like Daxter.
This game is definitely worth the revisit.
#6 Best PSP Racing Game – Ridge Racer
- Date of Release: 14 December 2004
- Developer(s): Namco
- Publisher(s): Namco
- Game Modes: Single-Player, Multiplayer
- Genre: Racing game
- Buy It Here
As long as petrolheads exist, there will always be a market for racing games. When it comes to racing games, players will seem to gravitate to recognizable brands like Forza, Need for Speed, and Grand Turismo.
A game that has almost been entirely erased from the collective public consciousness is Ridge Racer. It almost died along with gaming arcades and video rental shops. After a failed foray into home gaming consoles, it found its niche on portable handheld devices.
One of these devices happens to be the PlayStation Portable. Not even popular titles from the Gran Turismo and NFS series could contend with it on the PSP.
Ridge Racer Story
The PSP version of Ridge Racer was said to be an amalgamation of all the previous entries in the series, specially made for the PSP. This can be seen partly from the music in the game. It’s a mix of old and new songs from the series.
Despite a change in platform, it’s still very much an arcade racer. Most arcade racers don’t have a story. It’s all about getting you into the game as quickly as possible and a story would just interfere with that.
Ridge Racer Gameplay
Drifting is a huge part of the game. It earns players bonuses and boosts while racing. Boosts go into your Nitrous Gauge, which is made up of three tanks. As soon as one tank is filled up, players can use it to initiate a temporary boost in speed.
There are four different game modes, World Tour, Single Race, Time Trial, and Wireless Battle. Wireless Battle can support up to eight players (multiplayer) who can connect either through the PSP’s ad-hoc connection or Wi-Fi.
Ridge Racer Graphics
Ridge racer’s tracks can seem a bit plain and lifeless sometimes. Especially the greenery. But there is still a surprising amount of detail in them, especially when you consider the hardware the graphics are drawing power from.
Races are fast and exhilarating. In fact, unrealistically fast. Cars move like words out of an auctioneer’s mouth. Textures can be a bit rough around the edges. Once again, it does the best it can with what the PSP has to offer.
Ridge Racer Overall Review
At the time of its release, Ridge Racer was a PSP launch title. Not a lot of subsequent racing games received the same amount of fanfare and critical acclaim that it did. It’s easy to pick-up and play.
It was a prime example of Sony’s ability to put their best foot forward.
#7 Best PSP Fighting Game – Tekken: Dark Resurrection
- Date of Release: 14 December 2004
- Developer(s): Namco, 8ing/Raizing
- Publisher(s): Namco
- Game Modes: Single-Player, Multiplayer
- Genre: Fighting
- Buy It Here
The problem with most handheld devices is that they are not very conducive to fighting games. This is particularly true of smartphones. It’s really hard to program a complex fighting game for most iOS and Android phones because of the limited control interface.
It can be quite uncomfortable sometimes. The PSP, on the other hand, has nearly as many buttons as a DualShock 3 controller. Which meant that your skills on the PS2/PS3 were easily transferable to the PSP, similarly to the way Namco found a way to successfully port Tekken 5 to the PSP.
Tekken: Dark Resurrection Story
The weird thing about quality fighting games like Tekken, Streetfighter and Mortal Kombat is that they’ve always had some deep character building and storylines. Each character has their own story in the overarching plot.
Since Tekken: Dark Resurrection is the portable version of Tekken 5 with a few tweaks. Tekken: Dark Resurrection introduces three new characters (Emilie de Rochefort, Mishima Zaibatsu, and Sergei Dragunov) with their own story arcs.
Once again, the story mode is well written and intriguing enough to inspire you to play with every character that Tekken has to offer. It is like using each character as a puzzle piece to see how they connect to the main story.
Tekken: Dark Resurrection Gameplay
Tekken: Dark Resurrection gives you the same gameplay and modes as Tekken 5 but with a few tweaks. For instance, Dark Ressurection’s Arcade battle introduces twelve additional ranking titles.
The developers also rebalanced a few of the characters. New attacks and combos were given to a few characters while some attacks that seemed overpowered on the PS2 version were nerfed.
The game also introduces new tools to help gamers customize their characters even further. In terms of multiplayer, the kind people at Namco allow you to play Tekken: Dark Resurrection using game sharing on the PSP’s ad hoc connection. What this means is that you only need one copy of the game to play against a second player.
Tekken: Dark Resurrection Graphics
The game tries to preserve the graphics of the PS2 version as much as possible. Matches run at 60 FPS, while cinematic cutscenes are reduced to running at 30 FPS. A bit of pixelation and rough edges can be noticed when you play the game on a bigger screen.
For instance, if you’re using an emulator to run the game, it will obviously seem more pixelated than if you run it on the PSP. Nevertheless, what the developers and designers managed to do here is to optimize Tekken and deliver a near-identical experience to the home system version.
Tekken: Dark Resurrection Overall Review
Tekken: Dark Resurrection is more than just a measly port for the PSP. It offers additional features and few deviations from Tekken 5. Because of this, it is worth owning Tekken 5 on the PS2 as well as Tekken: Dark Resurrection on the PSP.
With awards such as Best Fighting Game of 2006, Best PSP Fighting Game of 2006, and Best Graphics Technology on PSP in 2006 from IGN, it’s no surprise that it would make our list of the greatest PSP titles of all time.
#8 Best PSP First-Person Shooter – Medal of Honor Heroes
- Date of Release: 20 October 2006
- Developer(s): Team Fusion
- Publisher(s): EA Games
- Game Modes: Single-Player, Multiplayer
- Genre: First-person shooter
- Buy It Here
Not a lot of hand-held systems were brave enough to tackle first-person shooters like the PSP did. Personally, the Medal of Honor series was my introduction to first-person shooters on game consoles. It saddens me to know that we’ll never get another game in the series after the failure of Medal of Honor: Warfighter.
While we may not get a new Medal of Honor in the future, we can look at its legacy with a sense of fondness and nostalgia.
Medal of Honor Heroes Story
Medal of Honor Heroes comprises of three different campaigns. The reason it’s called ‘Heroes’ is that gamers get to play as three of the protagonists from the previous installments of the Medal of Honor series.
These heroes are Lieutenant Jimmy Patterson, Sergeant John Baker, and Lt. William Holt. The campaigns are set in Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands, during World War II.
Medal of Honor Heroes Gameplay
After playing Medal of Honor on the PS1, I have found myself gravitating more to first-person shooters on consoles. Even if I’m playing an FPS on a PC, I prefer to play it on a really good gamepad.
I find that it’s more challenging and takes quite a bit of skill to master.
The same can be said for Medal of Honor Heroes. Although controls were streamlined and simplified for the PSP. Playing a first-person shooter on such a small screen takes some time to get used to. But once you’re fully engaged, it’s a fun experience –, especially with the multiplayer feature.
It allows up to 32-players per match. Gameplay modes include Domination, Battlelines, Deathmatch, Infiltration, and Hold the line. What triggers nostalgia in most gamers is the
Medal of Honor Heroes Graphics
Don’t come into this expecting realism. The game was produced in 2006 for a handheld device but it does admirably well with what it does have. Textures are overly smooth, sharp and cubic. You’re bound to meet some very buggy and strange physics.
For instance, an enemy soldier shooting at you while looking away from you. Or an enemy walking or falling through a wall while the wall keeps its structural integrity. All these flaws make this game even more endearing.
Medal of Honor Heroes Overall Review
The Medal of Honor series has produced some of the best first-person shooters of all time. Sure, in terms of historical shooters, you might bring up Brother in Arms or Call Of Duty: World At War, but Medal of Honor has always been a pioneer. Medal of Honor Heroes showcased this fact.
#9 Best PSP Sports Game – FIFA Soccer 09
- Date of Release: 2 October 2008
- Developer(s): HB Studios
- Publisher(s): EA Sports
- Game Modes: Single-Player, Multiplayer
- Genre: Sports (Football/Soccer)
- Buy It Here
EA has always been controversial for releasing the same game over and over, each year. This was made evident with FIFA 20. It had no significant improvements over FIFA 19. FIFA 20 on the Nintendo Switch was essentially FIFA 19 with new players.
Let’s take it back to a time where EA’s scruples hadn’t yet fully deteriorated.
FIFA Soccer 09 Story
Playing FIFA 09 over ten years later is a trippy experience. It was released in the year in which Cristiano Ronaldo had just won his first Ballon d’Or. Messi would also win his first, the following year. Who knew that it would be the beginning of a decade long award tug of war between the two?
FIFA Soccer 09 is a sports game, it has no story unless you play Manager Mode or Be a Pro mode where the story is shaped around your decisions as a manager or a player.
FIFA Soccer 09 Gameplay
On the PSP version of the game, you get most of the home console version’s modes and improvements. This wasn’t the first FIFA game on the PSP, nor was it the last but it was definitely the best.
For the first time ever, you can play the Be A Pro mode on the PSP. Be A Pro allows you to control a single player for an entire season. There’s also the Manager Mode, where you can play as a manager for your favorite team. Of course, you also get your standard exhibition and cup games.
FIFA Soccer 09 Graphics
FIFA Soccer 09’s graphics are smooth. Almost too smooth. Fields feel lifeless and cardboard-like. It works for the PSP though. Of course, it would be too much to expect 4K graphics or high frame rates. Do not expect accurate player likenesses too. But you can still faintly tell the difference between Puyol and Messi.
FIFA Soccer 09 Overall Review
It tries to fit in as many features present in the 6th console generation as possible. It cuts corners where it needs to. What you get is a more minimalistic FIFA experience catered to both long and short bursts of travel. With FIFA Soccer 09, EA found that sweet spot between fun and realism. That’s why the latter PSP FIFA games paled in comparison.
#10 Best PSP Stealth Game – Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
- Date of Release: 29 April 2010
- Developer(s): Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s): Konami
- Game Modes: Single-Player, Multiplayer
- Genre: Stealth, Adventure
- Buy It Here
MGS: Peace Walker is one of the most critically lauded games on the PSP. It’s worth owning a PSP, just to play it. It wasn’t Kojima and clan’s first venture into developing a Metal Gear Solid game for Sony’s first mobile platform.
Previously, they had released Metal Gear Acid (1 and 2), the Metal Gear Solid: Digital Graphic Novel and Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. Much like MGS: Portable Ops (and Portable OPS Plus), MGS: Peace Walker preserves the stealth and action elements found in the home console entries of the main series.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Story
The story picks up where Portable OPS left off. It’s 1974 and Big Boss now leads his own group of mercenaries in Columbia. This is after the establishment of the High-Tech Special Forces Unit, FOXHOUND in the United States of America and after Big Boss (Snake) murdered his mentor.
Snake is approached by a mysterious figure who asks him to assist in getting the CIA out of Costa Rica and securing some intel on a secret army located there. At first, Snake is reluctant, until the man reveals that Snake’s mentor (The Boss) may still be alive. This changes everything.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker follows Snake and his band of mercenaries as they venture through Costa Rica, uncovering the secrets of the Peace Sentinels and Snake’s past. As always, MGS: Peace Walker carries on Metal Gear’s propensity to deliver a great story.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Gameplay
At the time of its release, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker was one of the biggest Metal Gear games. Which was ironic, since it was released on the PSP. The stealth and gunplay mechanics in this game have more polish over its predecessors.
It takes a lot of gameplay elements from MGS 4 and tries to improve upon them. For instance, you can crouch-walk through levels and pickpocket enemies, you can chain hand to hand stealth knockouts using the CQC system, it has an over the shoulder third-person style shooting camera view and the Fulton Recovery System which allows you to kidnap subdued enemies.
Stealth games get a very bad rep for being boring. The Metal Gear Solid series has never suffered from this. A great story meets great gameplay.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Graphics
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker was at the time one of the best looking games on the PSP. It delivered graphics bordering on PS3 quality. If you get up close, you might see some blurry or rough textures. Once again, this is perfectly understandable.
We must commend the devs and designers for the cut scenes. The comic stylized cut scenes are expertly drawn and are consistent with the MGS aesthetic. Models and movements are also well done. Menus are responsive, well-designed, and intuitive. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker’s graphics score high marks with us.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Overall Review
Graphics? Check. Gameplay? Check. Story? Check. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker does everything right. You’ll find yourself forgetting that you’re playing this game on a handheld system. If you’re a fan of the Metal Gear solid, then don’t skip this game.
It’s a must-have on the PSP.
#11 Best PSP Strategy Game – Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of The Lions
- Date of Release: 10 May 2007
- Developer(s): Square Enix, TOSE
- Publisher(s): Hiroyuki Ito
- Game Modes: Single-Player, Multiplayer
- Genre: Tactical, Strategy, Role Playing Game
- Buy It Here
There was a time when strategy games were rare on home system consoles. No one would be caught dead trying to play them on a PlayStation. Most are just suited to a keyboard and mouse.
The first Final Fantasy Tactics came out in 1998, expanding the Final Fantasy franchise by venturing into strategy games. Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of The Lions is an updated version for the PSP. It’s one of the few non-PC strategy games that work.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of Lions Story
Final Fantasy Tactics is set in the Ivalice universe. Other games set in the same universe include Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy XII, and Crystal Defenders.
Final Fantasy Tactics is a hybrid of an RPG and strategy game. Therefore, it has the deep storytelling elements you’d expect from a Final Fantasy game. The game takes place in a medieval era where there are nobles and peasants.
You play as a high-born named Ramza who finds himself in the middle of a commoner uprising. He finds that he ultimately has to choose where his true alliances lie. It can’t be a Final Fantasy game with a tangled string of complicated plots and subplots. Despite it being a tactical/strategy game, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of Lions continues with this tradition.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of Lions Gameplay
As with other games in the Final Fantasy series, you control a party of characters. It’s a bit like XCom meets chess. Characters are only allowed to move in a grid-based fashion. The range of movement is determined by the character’s class and enemy placement.
Each battle earns characters experience and job points which can be used to upgrade and purchase skills. The game doesn’t feature free-roaming like other games in the Final Fantasy series. Instead, you can travel from point to point on the map.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of Lions features wireless multiplayer where you can play cooperatively or competitively against another player.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of Lions Graphics
Each battle is played out in an isometric view that rotates when you select a character on the field or when your character performs an action. This makes it easier to see your character if they’re behind an obstruction such as a wall or building.
The game is a mixture of 3D and 64-bit like animation. The 3D models are cubic and have sharp edges. Overall, the art and animation are excellently crafted. Characters are big-eyed and adorable like exaggerated models from a kid’s anime. Watching one of your favorite characters experience permadeath is almost heart-wrenching.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of Lions Overall Review
Mobile gaming seems more suited to quick and casual games. Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of Lions demands that you invest more time and emotion in it. The simplified controls and gameplay make it easy to pick up and play. The story is the icing on the cake.
Related: Best Games Like Fire Emblem
#12 Best PSP Hack ‘n Slash – God of War: Ghost of Sparta
- Date of Release: 2 November 2010
- Developer(s): Ready at Dawn
- Publisher(s): Sony
- Game Modes: Single-Player
- Genre: Hack and Slash/Adventure
- Buy It Here
Ready at Dawn were 2 for 2 when they released God of War: Ghost of Sparta on the PSP. While Chains of Olympus is slightly rated higher, Ghost of Sparta is considered to have the best graphics on the PSP and it’s a God of War game.
There is no bad God of War game. It should be worth playing just on its name alone. But if you still need some convincing, this short review should help you make up your mind.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta Story
This is the sixth game in the series, in order of release and the fourth game in order of chronology. The story picks up just after the events of the first God of War. In this installment, gamers get a chance to unearth more of Kratos’ past.
You meet key members of his biological family and in turn, learn what would later help fuel his crusade against the gods of Olympus.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta Gameplay
Again, God of War: Ghost of Sparta is a hack-‘n-slash game where you’ll meet waves of enemies on Kratos’ journey. You’ll have Kratos’ trusty blades of Athena to tear through them. Later, you’ll be able to imbue them with fire using Thera’s Banes.
The game also allows Kratos to equip three different magical abilities (Horn of Boreas, Eye of Atlantis and Eye of Atlantis). Ghost of Sparta is heavy on the action. Kratos is basically the Ancient Greek version of the Doom Slayer.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta Graphics
Ghost of War: Ghost of Sparta has arguably the best graphics on the PSP. It uses a foggy grey effect to make textures appear smoother. At times, Kratos’ running movement can feel a bit stiff and unnatural but this could be blamed on the PSPs screen size and limited hardware.
There are a lot of new enemies, not present in the previous installments of God of War. We were in awe of how well designed they were and how much detail went into each model. God of War has its share of gore and viscera. Of course, it’s nowhere near accurate in terms of spillage or dispersal.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta Overall Review
These short spinoffs may feel unnecessary or superfluous in the overall story. You could essentially play the main trilogy without visiting the prequels.
However, Ghost of Sparta is still an amazing game and one of the best on the PSP. If you’d prefer to play it on your PS3, you could always purchase and play the entire 6th and 7th generation console collection.
Best PSP Games – Honorable Mentions
There are a lot of awesome games on the PSP. There’s around 606 in total, so it’s hard to construct a list without neglecting a few gems. In this section of the guide, we’ve listed a few honorable mentions worth checking out.
- Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
- LittleBigPlanet
- Burnout Legends
- Wipeout Pure
- Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
- Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
- X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse
- Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
- Patapon
- Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
Final Words
Whether you’re using an ISO on an emulator based Linux Distro or you’ve somehow found a crate full of PSP titles, this list should help you discern between the games worth playing and those you should put in the back burner.
In this list, we explored the best PlayStation Portable games of all time. We hope that you’ve enjoyed reading through it. Thank you for reading and happy gaming.