If we could literally give an award to the best portable video game station then it would be definitely PSP. I mean can you imagine any other console to be so small yet so amazing? This is why you should definitely try this out and for this you need to check out some amazing and best PSP games.
There is a huge list of games which you can play on PSP but of course you do not have time to check them out all. So, here I am helping you to gain some knowledge over the fact that which ones are the best out of the rest. And for this, you need to check out the section given below.
25 Best PSP Games of All Time
I could curate like hundreds of games but let’s all be true here, I really can’t do it. So, instead of this long list, I decided to mention top 25 games of all time hailing from different genres and having different gameplays. I am sure you are going to love them all. You can check out this list right below.
1. God of War: Chains of Olympus
Website:Â http://www.godofwargame.com/
Starting the list of top 25 PSP games with one of the most popular PSP games called Chains of Olympus. It is the 4th installment of God of War series and a type of third person action adventure game. The setting is loosely based on Greek mythology and throughout the game you are going to witness scenes from ancient Greece.
You as a player is going to control the role of Kratos who is a Spartan warrior serving to Olympus Gods. The objective of the game is to find the Sun god Helios and stop the villains Morpheus and Underworld Queen from destroying the world.
In the gameplay, focus lays on combo based combats, puzzle games, and platforming too while the setting remains mainly Greek oriented.
2. Half Minute Hero
Website:Â http://www.halfminutehero.com/
After doing some action stints with Chains of Olympus, it is the time to make some real-time strategy with Half-Minute Hero. This next inclusion in the list of best PSP games also features the essence of role-playing in it along with the genre of shoot ‘em up.
Half-Minute Hero is quite versatile in terms of approach and features total 6 gaming modes and each of them features a different story.
These are Hero 30 Mode, Evil Lord 30 Mode, Princess 30 Mode, Knight 30 Mode, Hero 300 Mode and Hero 3 Mode. Most of these modes are single player gaming mode oriented only but in some of them you can use multiplayer mode to complete a quest before others.
3. Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Website:Â http://www.rockstargames.com/
Who does not know about this evergreen wonder GTA. This Chinatown Wars version is an action adventure game and it is the 13th game in this series too. In fact, this is the most reviewed game in the series too and features open world environment.
You are going to find this one of the most entertaining options in the list of best PSP games and the handheld console of PSP gives better accessing while playing it.
This installment is different from the other ones as it uses a complete 360 degree of rotatable camera angle rather than just top down perspective. There are different levels where each star indicates the number of police cars you need to take out. The game has no particular objective but still kind of entertaining to play.
4. Ridge Racer
Website:Â https://www.mobygames.com/
The next one in the list of top PSP games is Ridge Racer which is a racing video game launched in 1993. Available to play in single-player mode, this game is based on the general rules of racing games where the objective is to finish the race at first place in order to win a series of games.
Before the game beings, the player needs to make some choices like type of car, course, transmission and to give an edgy feel, the background song too.
The game runs in first person perspective and as the game is in arcade style, collision with another car does not cause damage but slow down the speed of the player’s car. Throughout the game, checking out on time limit is really important.
5. Persona 2: Innocent Sin
Website:Â http://www.atlus.com/
Next in the row for best PSP games is the second installment of Persona series called Innocent Sin. This is a Japanese role playing game and the plot of the game takes place in the fictional city of Sumaru City.
The game’s story focuses on a bunch of high school students whose ultimate control lies in the hands of the player. The game can be played in overhead perspective but you can always adjust the angle. Here the group must confront a villainous Joker who is spreading realty-warping rumors in the town.
As the game proceeds further, the students go through dungeons and combat takes place in turn based system. Players are aided by their personas to help them fight against the demons.
6. Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
Website:Â http://www.acecombat.jp/
Skies of Deception is the tenth installment of Ace Combat game series. This is a combat flight simulator video game featuring in Arcade mode and can be played in both single player and multiplayer perspective.
The game runs in a narrative manner where the plot is divided between various missions and gaming modes. The player takes up the role of Flight lead Gryphus Squadron of Aurelian Air Force.
In different missions, the game has different objectives like air targets, ground targets and naval targets. This has a unique theme of aircraft fighting which I am sure sets it apart from other best PSP games. You can also enjoy the game in free mode and campaign mode which does not focus on combat that much.
7. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Website:Â http://www.konami.jp/
Next one in the list of best PSP games is Peace Walker which is the 7th installment of Metal Gear game series and pursue the genre of action adventure and stealth. Peace Walker also features the elements of tactics and the plot is divided between various missions.
There are two primary gaming modes involved in it which are Mission and Mother Base which are based on the theme of action sequences and army management respectively.
The player can choose the mission to get started from in the beginning of the game where each one belongs to different objective. At the end of each missions, the player is given ranking which further affects his/her performance in the later missions. The player can also replay missions to improve performance.
8. Killzone: Liberation
Website:Â http://www.killzone.com/
There is a various example of good PSP games available and Killzone: Liberation is one of them. This is a shoot ‘em up action video game and the second one in the series too. Liberation features both single player and multiplayer gaming modes from a top down isometric perspective.
The player can control the character of Jan Templar who has various abilities like boarding and control various vehicles, using armory etc.
There are various levels in the game where the player can also ask for a buddy to support. The player can unlock new weapons in the game by picking various power ups and the same applies for upgrades too. There are also some side challenges through which the player can upgrade his character’s abilities.
9. Lumines
Website:Â http://lumines.jp/
It is the time to move over action based video games and focus on such best PSP games which are based on puzzle genre and Lumines is one of them. It is a game based on light and sound patterns following the gameplay for both single player and multiplayer gaming.
This is a block dropping game where blocks of 2X2 are dropper on the playing field and the objective of the game is to arrange the blocks of the same color in a manner to create 2X2 squares.
The player must make sure to avoid piling up various blocks over one another as it leads to finally losing the game. There are some special blocks too which can be used for various purposes.
10. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
Website:Â http://www.crisiscore.com/
We are back to the genre of action role playing with the addition of Crisis Core in the list of best PSP games. It serves as the prequel to Final Fantasy VII main game where the player takes up the role of Zack Fair who is a young member of paramilitary force SOLDIER.
The objective of the game is to look for missing soldier Genesis Rhapsodos, and in this mission, the player needs to discover various aspects related to the game.
For this mission, the player moves through open areas and talks to NPCs too. Combat remains important as there are timely battles with monsters. Apart from the main gameplay, there are some side missions available too for increasing points.
11. N.O.V.A. Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance
Website:Â http://www.gameloft.com/
Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance which is also popularly known as N.O.V.A. is a type of action-adventure game released in 2009. The game follows a theme of first person shooting and reminds you of games like Metroid and Halo series.
This next addition in the list of best PSP games is quite power-packed featuring the entire plot divided into total 12 levels where the focus is on saving satellites defended by humans.
The objective of the game is to fight with alien enemies known as Xenos and highly relies on your shooting skills. The player is provided with the choices of eight weapons which are quite reformed and modernized as compared to other games. It also features an online gaming mode where you can play in multiplayer mode.
12. Daxter
Website:Â https://www.emuparadise.me/
Daxter is a critically acclaimed game belonging to the Jake and Daxter series and is a type of platform video game. The game focuses on the protagonist of the series named Daxter who is a fictional cross between Otter and Weasel.
This is one of the most popular game which I am listing under the category of best PSP games and you will know why when you will ultimately play the game.
It features both single player and multiplayer modes and Daxter is also given some improvised weapon too. The basic gameplay is to keep on proceeding in the game by killing enemies coming in between. There are some great modifications like bug spray, flamethrower etc. which makes it better than the earlier game in series.
13. Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
Website:Â http://www.square-enix.co.jp/
It is one of the best games for PSP which I am talking about here. Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep is an action role playing game and it is the 6th installment in Kingdom Hearts game series.
The plot of the game focuses on the journey of characters Terra, Aqua and Ventus who are on a quest to find the missing Master Xehanort. While on this journey, these characters are also supposed to save the world from creatures called Unversed.
The player does not hold control on three of them at the same time and hence operates each of them under different gaming scenarios. The game also features overhauled battle along with the elements of hack and slash combat.
14. Patapon
Website:Â http://www.jp.playstation.com/
Patapon is basically a god game which also simulates the features of a rhythm game too. The game introduces a 2D environment and the characters are kind of cartoonish and amidst this plot, the player takes up the role of a deity whose task is to command these cartoonish tribal people.
The theme of the game sets it totally apart from other best PSP games enlisted here. If you want to command something then you would have to insert a specific sequence for it in terms of drum rhythm.
The entire process and gameplay relies on the type of music sequence entered in the game as the wrong one can lead to confuse the tribe ultimately resulting in stopping their functionaries.
15. LocoRoco
Website:Â http://www.playstation.com/
Next one to join the list of best PSP games is LocoRoco. This is a platform video game where the player takes up the role of the planet on which jelly like creatures named LocoRoco and Mui Mui lives.
This planet is attacked by Moja troops and now you need to tilt the environment according to the way LocoRoco moves in order to guide it against the enemies. The process is pretty fun and the plot is divided between 5 worlds where each of them consist of 8 different levels.
Each level has the same goal which is to end it but there are some factor which must be kept in mind like the time taken, LocoRocos rescued and many others.
16. Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection
Website:Â http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/
So, we are apparently done with covering various genres of games for the list of best PSP games and Tekken 5 seems to be making a difference here. It belong to the genre of fighting and also adds new features as well characters as compared with the earlier installment of the game series.
There are various ranking titles improvised in the game where Divine Fist is introduced the top most of the all.
There are various league matches arranged in the gameplay and also survival tournaments, ranking tournaments and some other gaming modes too. If a player wins all of these tournaments then only he/she can achieve the ultimate title.
17. Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles
Website:Â https://store.playstation.com/
How could I left out this platform-adventure game from the PSP games list as this one is a really popular game. The Dracula X Chronicles is basically the PSP version of the Rondo of Blood version including some modifications and changes.
This remake is made in 2.5D and features the elements of both the original game as well as a port of its sequel.
So, according to the very basic plot, the player needs to guide the main character Richter Belmont through 9 different stages. The objective is to search for his beloved Annette and the gameplay ultimately leads to confronting a Dracula in the end. There are four alternate routes for it and when you win this game you can unlock the sequel easily.
18. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
Website:Â https://www.mobygames.com/
This unite version of Monster Hunter Freedom game is actually the expanded version of original game and explores the genre of action role playing. The reason of listing out this expanded version in the list of best PSP games is because it has more missions, weapons and monsters too.
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite also features the concept of Felyne Fighter which can be summoned for the help of the player anytime.
The game moves further in quest like manner where the player is allowed to store 99 type of items in his box along with 20 equipment sets too. There are some side quests available too featuring disastrous monster and some brownie points for the player too.
19. Valkyria Chronicles II
Website:Â http://www.sega.com/games/valkyria-chronicles-2/
Somewhere I skipped listing out tactics based games in this category of best PSP games but Valkyria Chronicles II makes the perfect example of this. It also features the elements of role playing in it and the plot is set 2 years after the 2nd European War.
The plot focuses on a military academy where the cadets are rebelling against an ethnic cleansing campaign and because of this unique concept it earned high praises too.
There are various classes provided which features in the beginning of the game to choose the player’s character from. As the game proceeds the main focus remains on third person action mode where combat takes place in turn based manner. If you want to enjoy a really versatile game then this choice is just perfect for you.
20. Burnout Legends
Website:Â https://www.mobygames.com/
Burnout Legends serves as the spin-off of Burnout franchise and it is a racing video game specially made for PSP console. It features both single player and multiplayer modes there are various tracks and gaming modes to make the game more fun.
You can find various modes taken from earlier Burnout installments exhibiting a complete package like quality in the game.
Despite being a racing game it garnered amazing reviews and this is why I mentioned it in the list of best PSP games. Some of the elements of Burnout Legends are Race, World Tour, Road Rage, Pursuit etc. You are also given 95 cars to unlock and various classes too. You can also change the background soundtrack and can also get indulged in online battle modes.
21. The 3rd Birthday
Website:Â http://na.square-enix.com/
Considered as one of the best PSP games of all time, The 3rd Birthday is a third person role playing shooter game. The plot of the game takes place in 2013, where the player needs to control the protagonist Aya Brea.
She is suffering from amnesia and throughout the gameplay she tries to find about her actual life as well as fight against creatures called Twisted.
There are various missions in the game which must be completed and in between them the player can rest at Counter Twisted Investigation Headquarters which is the main hub of the game. At the end of each mission Aya is given points which can be used to buy new weapons or customize the current ones too.
22. Little Big Planet
Website:Â http://littlebigplanet.playstation.com/
Also abbreviated as LBP, this next addition in the list of best PSP games is a puzzle platform video game which was released in 2009. LBP does not follow a specific story line and rather focuses on gameplay and the adventure of the main character called Sackboy.
However, in the PSP version of the game they removed the co-operative mode and hence you can play it in single player mode only.
There are various ‘layers’ in the game which can be called as level sets. There are total 23 main levels and 14 mini-levels. The game goes on with various adventures and each level has different objective and storyline. In the PSP version, there are some new designed levels too making this game more fun to play.
23. Phantasy Star Portable
Website:Â https://www.mobygames.com/
An action role playing game by nature, Phantasy Star Portable is quite like the rest of the best PSP games and features single player mode and a cooperative mode for four players. The plot of this game begins few months after the conclusion of earlier game Phantasy Star Universe.
The game focuses on the alliance of humans, beasts, Newmans, and others who drove off the aliens called SEED.
However, the game begins after that with the attack again and here the player can kickstart the game by choosing from the four races. You can further customize the appearance of the player on the basis of various aspects. Players must kill the opponent and there are various missions in which boss battle is also involved.
24. Silent Hill: Origins
Website:Â https://www.mobygames.com/game/silent-hill-0rigins
Silent Hill: Origins is the 1st installment in Silent Hill series and it is the most different pick in the list of best PSP games too. It belongs to the genre of survival horror and uses a third person perspective featuring only single player mode.
The protagonist of the game is Harry Mason whose character is chosen by the player. The objective of the game is to search for his missing daughter in the fictional town of Silent Hill.
Throughout this journey the player discovers various hidden plots which can lead him to any of the possible five endings of the game. The prime elements of the game remains combat, puzzle solving and exploration.
25. Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
Website:Â https://www.emuparadise.me/
And the last option for the list of best games for PSP is Dark Mirror which is the 5th installment in Syphon Filter gaming series. It is a type of shooter stealth game which is controlled from third person perspective.
It can be played in both single player and multiplayer gaming modes where the player assumes the role of Gabe Logan and sometimes Lian Xing too.
The gameplay is totally differnet in single player and multiplaer modes. It is best played in later one where each team of players has different objectives supported by number of weapons and armories.
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Conclusion
I tried to pick all the possible genres of best PSP games like hack and slash, platform, action, role playing, for kids, musical and many more. However, there are so many amazing games available for PlayStation Portable console that no matter how hard you try, you end up missing many of them.
So, here is a little something effort from my side to list out the best of them. I am sure these ones are enough for right now to entertain you thoroughly. Also, there is thing about PSP console that they are damn handy to operate so I am sure this is going to really fun for you to play all such games on this gaming console.
