The PlayStation Portable (PSP) may not have reached the same level of widespread success as other handheld systems, but it remains a beloved piece of gaming history. Launched in 2004, the PSP offered players the ability to enjoy console-quality games on the go, providing experiences that were previously unimaginable for a portable device. The best PSP games made full use of the system’s impressive hardware and brought beloved franchises to the handheld format, delivering experiences that continue to be cherished by retro gaming enthusiasts.
One of the standout titles for the PSP was Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. This open-world action-adventure game took the iconic GTA formula and successfully adapted it for the PSP. The game allowed players to explore the streets of Liberty City, engaging in gladiator88 link criminal activities and experiencing a gripping narrative on a handheld device. Its size and scope were incredible for a portable system, showing just how much potential the PSP had for console-quality experiences.
Another standout title was Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, which brought the beloved Final Fantasy VII universe to the PSP in the form of a prequel. Featuring real-time action combat, an engaging story, and beautiful visuals for the time, Crisis Core is often regarded as one of the best PSP games ever made. Fans of the original Final Fantasy VII could immerse themselves in the backstory of Zack Fair and uncover new elements of the iconic RPG’s lore.
For fans of unique and quirky experiences, Patapon and LocoRoco were two games that captured the imagination of PSP owners. These games employed innovative mechanics and vibrant, colorful art styles that stood out among the usual action-packed games of the time. Patapon, with its rhythm-based gameplay and army-building mechanics, was unlike anything seen on the PSP before. Similarly, LocoRoco offered simple yet highly addictive platforming gameplay that relied on tilting the environment to move the character around.
The PSP was also home to some fantastic RPGs. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together brought tactical turn-based combat and an engaging story to the handheld, while Persona 3 Portable offered a unique version of the cult-classic RPG, bringing the social simulation and dungeon-crawling aspects of the original to a more portable-friendly format. The depth of gameplay and storytelling in these RPGs was comparable to full-fledged console games, cementing the PSP’s reputation as one of the best handheld gaming consoles.