When the PSP launched, it redefined what players thought was possible on a handheld device. Before cendanabet smartphones dominated mobile gaming, and long before the Nintendo Switch brought console gaming to portable form, the PSP stood as the gold standard for high-performance handheld entertainment. This device didn’t aim to complement your home console experience—it aimed to rival it.

The best PSP games covered a wide spectrum of genres. Titles like Persona 3 Portable brought deep, emotionally resonant RPGs to the palm of your hand, offering over 70 hours of compelling gameplay. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite turned the PSP into a social hub, with players gathering to tackle giant creatures in one of the most addictive co-op systems of the time. And then there was God of War: Ghost of Sparta, which translated the brutal action of the console versions to handheld with astonishing success.

Sony’s portable console also had room for experimentation. Games like LocoRoco and Patapon introduced unique gameplay mechanics and art styles that felt fresh and innovative. These titles demonstrated that the best PSP games weren’t just imitations of their console counterparts—they had identities of their own. The variety in the PSP’s library was a huge part of its charm, appealing to hardcore and casual gamers alike.

Though the system has long been discontinued, the PSP’s influence is still felt. Many of its top games have been re-released digitally, while others live on through spiritual successors and fan remakes. As time passes, the respect for what the PSP accomplished only grows. It wasn’t just a great portable console—it was a platform that delivered some of the best games of its era, in a format you could take anywhere.