The PlayStation Portable (PSP) was Sony’s answer to Nintendo’s dominance in the handheld market. Released in 2004, the PSP brought console-quality gaming to the palm of your hand, boasting impressive graphics and a library of titles that appealed to a wide range of players. Despite being overshadowed by the success of mobile gaming in later years, spaceman the PSP remains a beloved console among retro gaming enthusiasts and PlayStation fans alike. Let’s look at some of the best PSP games that defined the handheld experience.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is one of the most iconic games to grace the PSP. Developed by Rockstar Games, this open-world action-adventure game brought the chaos and freedom of the Grand Theft Auto series to a portable format. Set in the same universe as Grand Theft Auto III, Liberty City Stories allows players to explore the gritty streets of Liberty City, engaging in missions that involve driving, shooting, and navigating the criminal underworld. The game’s sprawling world and engaging story made it one of the PSP’s best-selling titles, showing that the console could handle large-scale games just as well as its home console counterparts.

Another standout PSP title is Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. As part of the Metal Gear franchise, this game introduced a new chapter in the saga of Big Boss and expanded upon the stealth-action formula. Peace Walker featured both single-player and multiplayer modes, with an emphasis on co-op missions. The game’s deep story, engaging gameplay, and extensive replayability made it a must-have for fans of stealth-action titles. Its unique blend of storytelling and tactical combat pushed the boundaries of what was possible on the handheld platform.

Patapon and LocoRoco represent the more whimsical side of the PSP’s library. Both games offer simple yet addictive gameplay with distinctive art styles and music. Patapon is a rhythm-based strategy game where players command a tribe of warriors to march and battle through various stages, while LocoRoco is a colorful platformer where players control a blob-like creature as it rolls through levels, collecting smaller blobs and avoiding obstacles. Both games are examples of the creativity and uniqueness that the PSP’s library had to offer, standing out from more traditional gaming experiences.

The Final Fantasy series also made a significant impact on the PSP, with Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core being one of the most beloved games on the platform. As a prequel to Final Fantasy VII, the game follows the story of Zack Fair, a character who plays a key role in the events of the original game. With its fast-paced combat, stunning visuals for its time, and emotional narrative, Crisis Core became a fan favorite and remains one of the PSP’s most influential RPGs. For RPG fans, the PSP offered an extensive library, with titles like Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together and Persona 3 Portable also making the system a must-have for anyone who enjoyed deep, turn-based combat.