Gaming world is nothing but Hack and Slash Fever. However, sometimes you need to get back to basics. The PlayStation Portable (PSP) was the first portable console which gave console-like experience to the users. Whether it was playing PS1 classics, watching films on UMDs, or playing original titles, the PSP gave countless memories. Discover 10 of the best PSP games on the platform.
The Nostalgic Remasters and Ports
The PS_P has been treated as a nostalgia machine by Sony and its partners, with a plethora of remasters, remakes, and ports released. Several standout titles deserve special recognition.
Mega Man Powered Up and Maverick Hunter X gave a new take on classic games from Mega Man. Although the art style is likely not for everyone, both titles do a good job of celebrating their franchises, with Maverick Hunter X getting a nice animated film.
With additional characters and items, Power Stone Collection takes both Power Stone games to handheld format, delighting fans of Capcom’s fighting series.
Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions adds fully animated cut scenes (with voice acting) to an already amazing strategy RPG, improvements in localization, new characters, and new classes.
Even with slowdown issues, this remains one of the most favourite tactical RPGs of all time.
Secret Agent Clank: A Robot’s Time to Shine
At ninth place is a one-of-a-kind spin-off game in the Ratchet & Clank universe. Secret Agent Clank: A game that allows the sidekick character Clank to become the main hero. The game did not change the gameplay and Clank felt like a true hero.
In varied modes of gameplay, players could choose stealth or aggressive patterns to play through the levels. The James Bond-style look with things like tactical umbrella guns gave this game a certain charm. Some of the mini-games were too reliant on timed button presses but Secret Agent Clank is a decent portable adventure.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker – Tactical Espionage on the Go
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker made it possible for a complex franchise to work on handhelds. The game polished the features which made past games great and adapted them for portable use. The stealth system worked well, and combat was satisfying.
Peace Walker had condensed scenarios for handheld play, not expansive bases. The cutscenes were styled like comic book content that was a rather good addition. Peace Walker is easily one of the absolute strongest entries in this franchise.
Daxter – The Sidekick Gets His Spotlight
The Daxter game for the PSP is a spin-off of the popular PlayStation franchise known as Jak and Daxter. After much time in Jak’s shadow, Daxter the wise-cracking ottsel finally has an adventure odyssey of his own.
Daxter got back to videogame platforming unlike Jak games that started including shooting elements later on. Players had a bug zapper, which could be improved along the way. Players could also hover and reach difficult spots and use fire against enemies. Given the stage of the system’s lifecycle around launch, the game sets a high standard for visual looks on the PSP
Lumines – Block-Dropping Perfection
Lumines proved that puzzle games could be system sellers. Releasing at the same time as the PlayStation Portable launched, this rhythm-puzzle hybrid captivated with its addictive gameplay and sensory experience.
The music made the match block game much better than it actually is. Every song gradually increased energy, striking a perfect balance between tension and relaxation. Lumines turns simple block-matching into an artistic experience complete with stylish backgrounds and effects. It got a lot of psp owners talking, and it has become a major game for the platform.
Patapon – Rhythm and Strategy in Perfect Harmony
Patapon excellently combines rhythm gameplay with strategy elements. Enjoy maneuvering your “pixels” through drumbeat commands when you play this unique game.
The simple visual style established a unique atmosphere, while the catchy rhythms stuck in the heads of the players. As the game went on, players would build bigger armies to defeat giant bosses and attack enemy fortresses, all in time with the beat. Patapon has created a truly revolutionary rhythm game for the Playstation portable.
Dissidia Final Fantasy – A Fantasy Crossover Battle
Many PSP owners got their money’s worth with Square Enix titles, with Dissidia Final Fantasy being the ultimate dream crossover fighting game. Fighting game and RPG mechanics fused together in this title which featured the cast of heroes and villains from the Final Fantasy franchise.
The game was complex to master at first. However, as one gained familiarity, the gameplay was satisfying. Moreover, the gameplay made sure to honour the original character. Later titles would add additional layers to the gameplay, but the original Dissidia created a solid foundation of concepts.
Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep – A Prequel Worth Playing
Birth by Sleep was important for Kingdom Hearts fans as it tells the background story The game has several playable characters with their own storylines that add to the lore while keeping the same action-RPG experience.
The main campaigns, as well as all the side-quests and mini-games, fitted into a respectable amount of content. The nostalgia and fun combat of Disney makes for not just an excellent PSP game, but also one of the strongest entries in the Kingdom Hearts series. The original PSP version is commendable even if the recent console ports look better.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta – Kratos Goes Portable
The God of War series was successfully brought to handheld with Ghost of Sparta. This time around, Kratos was embroiled in his family drama with his imprisoned brother Deimos and his mother.
After the original God of War comes Ghost of Sparta, which still has the same brutal combat and epic scale as God of War, but now also has emotional resonance. Even though the game was designed for a portable platform, it offers console-quality visuals and fun gameplay.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII – The Ultimate PSP Experience
The first in our list is Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, the game that made a lot of players buy a PSP. This prequel shows Zack Fair’s journey to becoming a SOLDIER hero, giving crucial context behind one of gaming’s most beloved stories.
The game balanced action-RPG combat with an emotional narrative that touched fans’ hearts. Many players have no doubt that Crisis Core’s ending is one of the most powerful in gaming history. A recent remaster with combat fixes for modern consoles, Crisis Core was a must-play for anyone who enjoys Final Fantasy VII and the Remake.
Conclusion
The PlayStation Portable is responsible for creating some of the gaming industry’s best games that showed how portable gaming can offer premium experiences. These 10 titles showcase the system’s finest offerings, ranging from original IPs to spin-offs of well-established franchises, complete with gameplay that holds up well today.