Nintendo has been steadily dominating the handheld video game market, but that doesn’t mean that Sony and Sega both didn’t make a go in the field. Sony’s PSP may not have been as popular as its follow-up, the Vita, which also struggled. However, the PSP still had a devout audience and it did some impressive things for a handheld.
However, most of the gems that were released on the PSP are easy to overlook or were trapped in obscurity. Those that gave the handheld a proper chance were pleasantly surprised and there are plenty of games that pushed the hardware to its limit and still hold up today.
10 Ridge Racer (Score: 88)
The Ridge Racer series was a staple of the 90s, but one of the most celebrated versions of the game is the PSP release, which also happens to be one of the best racing titles on the handheld platform. PSP’s Ridge Racer picks and chooses cars, tracks, and music from the previous games to create the best possible version of the franchise.
Ridge Racer helped prove what could be accomplished on Sony’s handheld and in addition to the impressive visuals and soundtrack, it even allows for eight-player multiplayer through online play.
9 Tekken: Dark Resurrection (Score: 88)
Tekken: Dark Resurrection is the PSP port of the fifth entry in the popular fighting game. Fighters like Tekken can excel on a handheld and this port not only brings the arcade update to the home, but it’s an extremely polished package. Dark Resurrection features the regular Tekken staples, but the PSP delivers the fighting at a remarkable 60 FPS.
There’s also heavy incorporation of online features, as well as some of the more enjoyable mini-games and extra features from other Tekken titles. The PSP even released a special D-pad attachment to make the Tekken experience as authentic as possible.
8 Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (Score: 88)
Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto series is still one of the most popular and lucrative video game series of all time. Liberty City Stories is the first handheld entry for the PSP, but it’s an absolute success. The game functions as a prequel to Grand Theft Auto III and it captures the same manic energy as the console releases. A major selling point is also the game’s extensive soundtrack, which also includes the ability for players to rip and build their own soundtracks. Liberty City Stories performed so well that it was eventually ported over to the PlayStation 2.
7 Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions (Score: 88)
Final Fantasy Tactics is an interesting departure for the series. A decade after its release on the original PlayStation, Final Fantasy Tactics was updated for the PSP. Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions gives a new audience the chance to experience the intricate tactical RPG with a wealth of new features. The PSP is the ideal platform since the portable aspect allows the game to be experienced on the go. Online capabilities, connections to other Final Fantasy games, and new cinematics all help The War of the Lions become the definitive version of Final Fantasy Tactics.
6 Wipeout Pure (Score: 88)
The Wipeout series is Sony’s solution to Nintendo’s F-Zero as a futuristic and fast-paced racer that caters more to quick decisions and trippy visuals than a realistic racing experience. Set in 2197, Wipeout Pure leans into the futuristic aspect and creates some highly memorable cars and tracks that feel truly unique. Wipeout Pure looks and plays like a dream, but it was also a big deal for being the first PSP game to feature downloadable content, with new cars and tracks becoming available, and all free of charge.
5 Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (Score: 89)
Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid is one of the biggest video game series of all time. Following the success of the PSP’s Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, Peace Walker perfects the gameplay and creates a Metal Gear Solid title that’s as satisfying as any of the mainline games. Peace Walker offers both standard stealth missions, but also a mode that caters towards army management. The incorporation of co-operative play also helps the game stand out from its predecessors. Peace Walker was so well received that an HD remaster was eventually released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
4 Lumines: Puzzle Fusion (Score: 89)
There’s a rich history between handheld platforms and puzzle games, but the PSP’s Lumines: Puzzle Fusion is a great example of the kind of magic that can be accomplished. Lumines began as a new Tetris game until licensing issues led to it forging its own path, and for the better. Lumines pulls from other popular matching puzzle games like Tetris and Columns, but the game puts a heavy focus on the integration of music into its puzzles through the use of the PSP’s headphone jack. Lumines started as a humble experiment, but it’s turned into a massive franchise.
3 Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable (Score: 89)
The Shin Megami Tensei series, more commonly known as Persona, took some time to catch on outside of Japan, but the franchise is now one of Atlus’ biggest successes. Persona 3 Portable is an updated PSP port of the PlayStation 2 classic. The biggest change in the PSP version is that it adds a female protagonist, which opens up so many different opportunities with the games social links and interactions. It also incorporates gameplay features and characters from Persona 4 to help make the sequel better tie into the franchise as a whole.
2 Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (Score: 90)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is another impressive spin-off title in the series that speaks to how handheld platforms are a strong fit for the franchise. Chinatown Wars deals with a struggling Triad member who’s trying to solve the mystery of his father’s murder, as well as recover a missing family heirloom. Chinatown Wars is a huge game and it even saw release on the Nintendo DS alongside the PSP. The PSP version supports superior graphics, which ditch the cel-shaded aesthetic, updated mini-games, and a number of extra missions and soundtrack options that are not present in the DS version.
1 God Of War: Chains Of Olympus (Score: 91)
The God of War series has become a staple of Sony consoles, but God of War: Chains of Olympus is proof that the franchise could transition to a handheld platform with little compromise. Set before the events of the original God of War, Chains of Olympus has Kratos on the hunt for Helios, the Sun God. Chains of Olympus features a simplified control scheme and it’s easily the best-looking PSP game that shows what can be achieved with the handheld. Chains of Olympus is such a triumph that a remastered version was later released for the PlayStation 3.
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