Though it’s been years since Sony discontinued the PlayStation Portable, the impact it made on the gaming world is still being felt today. At a time when mobile games were still rudimentary, and handheld systems focused mostly indoslots on light, arcade-style experiences, the PSP offered something radically different. It delivered deep, graphically impressive, and narratively rich games on a portable device—something that was revolutionary at the time. For many gamers, the best games on the PSP still stand shoulder to shoulder with home console experiences.

One of the PSP’s most appealing aspects was its vast and diverse game library. Whether you were into JRPGs, platformers, shooters, or puzzle games, the system had something remarkable to offer. Titles like Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together and Persona 3 Portable gave strategy and RPG fans countless hours of deep, engaging gameplay. Meanwhile, games like LocoRoco and Patapon provided quirky, original experiences that were unlike anything else on the market. These weren’t just time-fillers—they were genre-defining titles in their own right.

The PSP also played a crucial role in expanding existing franchises. Many developers used the handheld to explore prequels and side stories, which gave fans more content and backstory. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker added crucial lore to the MGS universe, while God of War: Chains of Olympus was a key chapter in Kratos’ journey. These were not watered-down versions of console games—they were full-scale entries with great storytelling and gameplay fidelity.

As digital downloads and retro gaming continue to thrive, many of these PSP games are finding new life on emulators and collections. They remind us of a time when handheld gaming took a bold step forward, proving that portable systems could host some of the best games in the industry. Even today, fans return to PSP classics for their innovation, depth, and sheer fun, keeping the system’s spirit alive well beyond its lifecycle.