The PlayStation Portable (PSP), Sony’s first handheld console, had an ambitious goal: to bring console-quality gaming to the palm of your hand. While the PSP faced stiff competition from Nintendo’s DS, it was undeniably a device ahead of its time, offering players the ability to play some of the best games ever created on a portable platform. The PSP was home to a library of incredible games, some of which still hold up today as some of the most remarkable handheld experiences. Let’s take a look at some of the best PSP games that defined this beloved console.
One standout title for the PSP is Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. The Grand Theft Auto series has long been known for its vast open-world demo spaceman gameplay, engaging storylines, and chaotic fun. Liberty City Stories was the first GTA game to appear on the PSP, and it successfully adapted the formula for a portable experience. Set in the same city as GTA III, the game follows Toni Cipriani, a mobster working his way through the underworld of Liberty City. The game featured the same open-world exploration, wild missions, and comedic dialogue that made GTA so popular, but it also streamlined the experience for handheld play. Liberty City Stories proved that you could have the full GTA experience, even on a portable console.
Another incredible PSP game was God of War: Chains of Olympus, a title that brought the beloved series to the small screen with stunning results. Chains of Olympus follows Kratos, the Spartan warrior, as he battles gods and mythological creatures from Greek mythology. The game’s fast-paced combat, epic set pieces, and engaging storyline captured the essence of the God of War franchise, all while fitting the PSP’s technical limitations. It demonstrated that the PSP could handle high-quality action games, delivering the same brutal combat and cinematic storytelling that made the God of War series famous. Chains of Olympus is still considered one of the best action games on the PSP.
Then there’s Persona 3 Portable, a port of the beloved Persona 3 game that brought the deep, story-driven role-playing experience to the handheld. Persona 3 was already a fan favorite on the PlayStation 2, but its release on the PSP allowed it to reach a whole new audience. The game follows a group of high school students who must battle shadow creatures while also balancing their everyday lives. The PSP version added new features, including the ability to play as a female protagonist, which provided additional depth to the game’s social dynamics and narrative. Persona 3 Portable proved that the PSP was capable of handling complex, turn-based RPGs with deep characters and immersive stories.
These games, among many others, showcase why the PSP was such a beloved handheld console. With titles like Liberty City Stories, Chains of Olympus, and Persona 3 Portable, the PSP offered gamers console-quality experiences on the go, and many of these games continue to be regarded as some of the best handheld games ever made. Though the PSP may no longer be in production, its legacy lives on through these incredible games.
