10 Best PSP Games, Ranked

The PSP had many notable games during its run. Here are the best PSP games, ranked!

The PSP was ahead of its time. Even though all PlayStation consoles have become iconic in their own right, the PSP is one that many seemed to pay less attention to. This could be due to its limited ability to play newer games. While it had high-end graphics that were an innovative step up from the PS2, it was sadly unable to run them properly at the same time.

Despite this, it feels only right to praise the video games created for the PSP. Acting as Sony’s first handheld beauty, the PSP had iconic games that we would never dare to forget. With fresh installments from popular franchises and magnificent stand-alone games, here are the best PSP games that truly made the timeless console stand out.

10Valkyria Chronicles 2

Although nothing stands out too much about Valkyria Chronicles 2, it’s still a worthy installment in the franchise. For being SEGA’s first attempt at creating a portable game, they really did accomplish developing something that was a treat for fans everywhere.

While the story could’ve had more potential, it was an intriguing tale that reeled you in. Since it was developed for a different type of console, the gameplay seemed a bit off at first but offered graphics that were utterly stunning. The voice work and soundtrack are nothing to scoff at either, making it a worthy sequel.

9Jeanne D’Arc

Jeanne D’Arc is if Fire Emblem and old-school JRPGs merged. Developed exclusively for the PSP, this tactical role-playing game used fantasy elements to tell the classic story of the Joan of Arc. Praised for its attention to detail for historical events and its storyline, Jeanne D’Arc was an underrated gem that lost relevance over the years.

However, its dim popularity doesn’t erase the addictive gameplay and engrossing plot. Letting you command an army to fight through various cities, it’s easy to get lost in this game. In a world where humans and demons are at war, it’s up to you to save your country when it seems like all hope has been lost.

8Daxter

As the first game in the Jak and Daxter series not released on the PlayStation 2, Daxter takes the franchise in a darker direction. Taking place between the events of Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy and Jak 2, this game acts as the first prequel in the series.

Daxter is a nostalgic game that we can’t help but return to once we’ve picked it up. It’s a nice compliment to the overall series and an impressive PSP game in general. With refined controls and gorgeous visuals that showcase the capabilities of the PSP, this platforming game is nearly everything a fan of the franchise could ask for.

7Lumines: Puzzle Fusion

This Tetris-like puzzle game is an extremely groovy time. Busting through various colorful blocks accompanied by techno beats, Lumines: Puzzle Fusion feels like a miniature party. At the time, the PSP was one of the few handheld consoles to feature a headphone jack. This played a significant role in the creation of Lumines, immersing you in its rave-like soundtrack.

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Lumines: Puzzle Fusion is a great game to play if you’re looking to kill time while still being entertained. It’s fantastic for on-the-go fun as well. You won’t realize how long your eyes have been glued to the screen because of how expansive it is. It also offers various avatars and a long, charming soundtrack.

6Persona 3 Portable

When Persona 3 became a critically-acclaimed success on the PS2, Atlus took a step further and created a re-released edition for the PSP. There are quite a few differences between Persona 3 and Persona 3 Portable, such as the cutscenes getting the chop in the PSP version.

This version of Persona 3 might not have all the iconic elements that make it a worthwhile installment in the Persona series, but it remains (even to this day) a masterpiece. It brought a wider audience into the mix with its new sense of accessibility. The handheld feature also made fans of visual novels adore its text-based cutscenes.

5Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep

Before Sora entered the strange world of Kingdom Hearts, we had a different set of heroes in the series’ overarching story. Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is the prequel set ten whole years before the first Kingdom Hearts.

Following three Keyblade apprentices named Terra, Aqua, and Ventus, the trio set out on a journey to become Keyblade Masters. With the infamous Xehanort as the main antagonist, the three soon find out that not everything goes according to plan. Characters from previous games appear in this one, like younger versions of Sora and Riku. However, everything focuses on this trio and their emotional journey into a vast world that’s unfamiliar to them.

4Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is a highly-sought out PSP game. Being the first Metal Gear Solid game to put the player through multiple torture sessions since the original game, Peace Walker set the bar high for other PSP titles. Even though it was still clunky in some places, its phenomenal nature overshadows all of its faults.

As one of the biggest games in the series, it made a massive impression because of how it accomplished so much on such a small system. Taking place after the events in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, the overarching story for Peace Walker is one of the best you’ll experience in any Metal Gear Solid installment.

3God Of War: Chains Of Olympus

The story of the God of War franchise is full of compelling Greek mythology and vengeance. The combat in every game has proven that it’s one of the best hack-and-slash games ever.

God of War: Chains of Olympus is a prequel to the vengeful journey that we’ve always known. During Kratos’ decade-long of service to the Gods, Kratos decides to go on an adventure to achieve redemption. Upon its release, the game became highly praised for how well it executed innovative graphics and gameplay on the PSP. It’s still referred to today as one of the greatest PSP games of all time.

2Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

Rockstar Games took an ambitious step by porting one of their most well-known franchises to a much smaller console. Although it isn’t their only Grand Theft Auto game on the PSP, they knocked it out of the park with Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories.

This game conveys the charming feel of a typical Grand Theft Auto game with whimsical comedy, fast-action, and all that jazz. Set in a fictional version of New York City, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories features fresh storylines and unique characters. This game takes you through winding roads to fulfill your mafia-story-yearning heart.

1Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7

Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 is one of the greatest video game prequels of all time. Luckily, if you haven’t played Final Fantasy 7 already, you can easily jump into this game. Crisis Core makes for a fantastic introduction to Final Fantasy.

Everything in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 plays a role in establishing important backstories and context to unanswered questions. Taking place seven years before the story in Final Fantasy 7, we follow the adventures of Zack as he searches for a missing soldier. Breaking typical expectations of a PSP games, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy 7 is the best game on Sony’s handheld console.