The PSP marked Sony's first major attempt at entering the handheld gaming market, launching nearly three decades ago. As the most powerful portable console of its era, it brought several iconic PlayStation franchises to a handheld format, enjoyed strong third-party game support, and introduced a distinctive media format with the UMD (Universal Media Disc). Although UMDs didn’t become an industry standard, the PSP still gave players an array of unforgettable games and experiences.
Reflecting on this remarkable console, here’s a list of the top ten PSP games that fully utilized the device's capabilities, highlighting the creativity of developers who successfully brought big franchises to the handheld scene. For more on Sony’s handheld evolution, you can check out our review of the PlayStation Portal, the latest PS5 handheld.
10. DAXTER
As a spin-off from Naughty Dog's Jak and Daxter series, Daxter puts the spotlight on the lovable ottsel and his adventures leading up to Jak II. True to the spirit of the original series, Daxter is a platformer that brings back the charm and humor that fans loved. Developed by Ready at Dawn, Daxter offers an agile protagonist who, though smaller than Jak, brings his own unique style to the gameplay.
The developers made clever use of Daxter’s smaller frame, designing levels that play to his agility and quick movements, creating a perfect balance of platforming challenges. Plus, the game includes entertaining "dream sequences," mini-games where Daxter imagines himself as the hero in scenes from popular movies like Braveheart and The Matrix. These dream segments add a layer of humor and creativity, making Daxter a delightful and well-crafted spinoff that stands proudly alongside the main series.
9. GRAND THEFT AUTO - LIBERTY CITY STORIES
In 2005, Rockstar had already reshaped the gaming industry with three iconic GTA games, making the idea of a full open-world GTA on a handheld seem far-fetched. But then came Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. This game recaptured the atmosphere that made the GTA franchise legendary during the PS2 era, offering a new storyline and mission set as a prequel to GTA 3. It was so well-made on the PSP that it later received a PS2 port, proving itself as a console-quality experience in its own right.
8. GOD OF WAR - GHOST OF SPARTA
Ready At Dawn was one of the most reliable developers throughout the PSP’s run, and the studio’s 2010 action game, God of War: Ghost of Sparta, is essential for any PSP owner. While Ghost of Sparta didn’t drastically alter the gameplay formula set by the earlier PSP exclusive, Chains of Olympus, it refined and improved upon it in meaningful ways.
Ghost of Sparta stands out as the stronger game largely due to its pacing and cinematic storytelling, which perfectly capture the essence of playing a full God of War experience on a handheld device.
7. KINGDOM HEARTS : BIRTH BY SLEEP
After a 14-year wait for a true sequel to Kingdom Hearts 2, fans of the series were treated to multiple new entries, including the franchise's first and only PSP title, Birth by Sleep. Despite being the series’ only appearance on the handheld, Birth by Sleep stands out as one of the best Kingdom Hearts games and a top title for the PSP.
Square Enix skillfully adapted the series' controls and core gameplay mechanics for Sony’s portable console, adding fresh features that felt right at home on the PSP. The soundtrack is one of the series' finest, with storytelling that deepens the Kingdom Hearts lore in unexpected ways. Whether it’s part of the main numbered series or not, Birth by Sleep is a must-play for Kingdom Hearts and PSP fans alike.
6. CRISIS CORE : FINAL FANTASY VII
While it was part of the broader "Compilation of Final Fantasy VII" projects that emerged after the massive success of the original FF7, Crisis Core stands out as the clear highlight of that series. Not only does it bring fresh perspectives to some of the most iconic characters in JRPG history, but it also stands as a strong action RPG on its own.
At times, it dives a bit too far into genre clichés (like characters quoting poetry in the heat of battle), but Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII sets a high standard for prequels done right. Its influence continues, especially as the recent Final Fantasy VII Remake titles further integrate its impact, with even a new Crisis Core Remake now available on PS5.
5. LUMINES
Lumines was arguably the best puzzle game since Tetris. Under the direction of Tetsuya Mizuguchi, it combined a Tetris-like block-matching mechanic with an incredible custom soundtrack, creating a fresh experience that could shift from calming and zen-like to the intensity of something like Guitar Hero (which didn’t even launch until a year later).
But it wasn’t just “Tetris with a beat.” Lumines introduced beautifully themed visuals and backgrounds that synced with the music, creating a vibrant, immersive experience. Its lasting appeal, continuing across platforms years later, is no surprise. It began on the PSP and quickly became one of the console’s standout games.
4.SHIN MEGAMI TENSEI : PERSONA 3 PORTABLE
On a platform filled with excellent RPGs, Persona 3 Portable stands out as one of the best. This updated version of the PS2 game that popularized the series in the West follows a group of Japanese high school students who attend classes during the day and explore the mysterious "Dark Hour" at night. Over the course of this 100-hour journey, players make friends, join social clubs, and seek to uncover the secrets of Tartarus, all while enjoying one of the series' finest soundtracks.
With numerous quality of life enhancements and the introduction of a female protagonist—an exciting first for the series—it's an incredible experience. Unfortunately, Persona 3 can be challenging to find these days. However, a remake titled Persona 3: Reload is now available on modern consoles, offering a fresh take on the beloved story.
3. MONSTER HUNTER FREEDOM UNITE
When veteran hunters share their tales of claw-grip nightmares from the past, they’re likely referring to Monster Hunter Freedom Unite. This game serves as a "definitive edition" of Monster Hunter 2, offering players the chance to engage in thrilling hunts against iconic monsters like Nargacuga and Ukanlos.
With various quality of life improvements, including the introduction of the Felyne Comrade system—which has evolved in subsequent titles—Unite became a joy to play, especially with friends using the PSP's Ad-Hoc wireless connection. If nostalgia for the PSP could take a form, it would undoubtedly embody the countless hours spent hunting in Monster Hunter Freedom Unite.
2. Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions
While some might argue that Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together deserves recognition, the original Final Fantasy Tactics remains one of the greatest grid-based RPGs ever made. Featuring a poignant story, fast-paced menu-based combat, and immense replayability, Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions is more than just a simple port of the original. The PSP update includes a new translation, voiced cutscenes, additional jobs, new characters (like Balthier from Final Fantasy XII), and all the fantastic storytelling in a portable format.
Final Fantasy Tactics is a game that encourages endless tinkering, making it a perfect fit for handheld gaming, where players can pause longer battles or spend hours grinding a single map to max out job classes. An RPG that can be unbalanced in the most enjoyable ways, Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions remains the gold standard for tactical RPGs and stands out even among its numbered-entry peers.
1. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker delivered a powerful and self-contained Metal Gear experience on a small, unassuming system. Following the events of Snake Eater, Peace Walker focused on pick-up-and-play gameplay, featuring two game modes: Mission and Mother Base.
The Mission mode served as the main campaign, presenting the story through digestible, bite-sized missions, while Mother Base expanded on the army management gameplay hinted at in Portable Ops, paving the way for deeper mechanics in The Phantom Pain. In this way, Peace Walker effectively bridged the gap between the original game and all future installments of Metal Gear Solid.
After completing the single-player content, players could enjoy a multiplayer mode for cooperative play with friends or engage in deathmatches. The game also featured additional downloadable content via the PSP's Network through the Extras menu. While much of this content was cosmetic, such as character outfits and additional music for the Walkman, it added to the already rich experience, making it feel like there was an endless amount of content packed into such a small package. Peace Walker is, and continues to be, regarded as one of the greatest entries in the Metal Gear series.
What PSP Games are Available on PS5 in 2023?
With this membership, you'll gain access to over 300 games from PS3, PS2, original PlayStation, and PSP. For an updated list of available titles, you can check out the IGN Playlist page dedicated to the PlayStation Plus Classic Catalog.
And that wraps up our list of the top 10 PSP games of all time! Do you agree with our picks, or do you think we missed any classics? Do you still have any UMDs lying around, or is it just us? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and while you're at it, take a look at our list of the top PS3 games of all time and the top PlayStation first-party exclusives.