Long before the Switch or Steam Deck made portable AAA gaming mainstream, the PlayStation Portable (PSP) was already doing it — and doing it well. From 2005 onward, the PSP was quietly revolutionizing handheld gaming by offering titles that didn’t feel like watered-down versions of console games. In many cases, PSP games stood entirely on their own as full-scale, richly developed experiences.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is a shining example. Designed by Hideo Kojima himself, it was more than a side story — it was a mainline entry with deep tactical gameplay, base-building, and extensive multiplayer. The game packed in hours of story and action, showing the true potential of the PSP as more than a mobile novelty.
In the action-adventure category, Daxter offered a full platforming experience with lush Link Kuwin visuals and tight controls. It bridged the gap between Jak II and Jak 3, giving fans a full-fledged adventure rather than a quick spin-off. For those who owned a PSP, it was a must-play that stood on equal footing with console entries.
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite deserves its legendary status for being a deep, challenging co-op Thể Thao experience that took advantage of the PSP’s wireless connectivity. While it gained massive popularity in Japan, it also built a strong cult following in the West. The game encouraged social interaction and strategy in a way few portable games had before.
Even racing games flourished on the PSP. Wipeout Pure delivered fast-paced, futuristic racing with a smooth frame rate and beautiful graphics for the time. It wasn’t just “good for a handheld”—it was one of the best racing games of its generation, period.
The RPG library on the PSP was no slouch either. Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core gave fans a prequel that added depth to one of gaming’s most iconic stories. It combined fast-paced action combat with emotional storytelling and helped introduce the Final Fantasy universe to a new generation of players.
With so much variety, polish, and ambition, PSP games proved that portable gaming could be just as deep, satisfying, and complete as what you’d find on a home console. Even today, the best PSP games hold up remarkably well and are worth revisiting or discovering for the first time.