When the PlayStation Portable (PSP) was released in 2004, it was unlike anything gamers had seen in a handheld console before. With impressive graphics, a cendanabet broad range of gaming genres, and the ability to play movies and music, the PSP set new standards for portable gaming. Many of the best games on the PSP showcased its capabilities, offering experiences that felt like they belonged on home consoles rather than a small handheld system.
A prime example of this was Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. While many gamers were familiar with the open-world action of the Grand Theft Auto series on consoles, this PSP game brought the same level of chaos and freedom to a portable system. Its detailed world, engaging missions, and familiar gameplay mechanics made it one of the best games of its time and showed that the PSP could handle complex, expansive titles.
Another groundbreaking PSP game was Tekken 6. Fighting games had always been a staple of the console experience, and Tekken 6 brought the franchise’s signature fast-paced combat to the handheld with stunning visuals and fluid animations. It proved that fighting games didn’t need to sacrifice quality when moving to a portable format, and it became one of the PSP’s standout titles.
Perhaps the most ambitious title for the PSP was God of War: Chains of Olympus. It brought the epic, fast-paced action of the God of War series to the handheld in a way that felt just as grand as its console counterparts. With beautifully rendered graphics, cinematic cutscenes, and intense combat, it set a new standard for action games on handheld devices. Chains of Olympus showed that portable gaming didn’t mean cutting corners—it meant adapting the experience without compromising on quality.
The PSP was ahead of its time in its ability to deliver console-quality experiences on the go. The best PSP games continue to stand as testaments to the system’s incredible potential, and many remain beloved by fans even years after the console’s discontinuation.