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20Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Puts Snake on the PSP
The Perfect Side Story for Snake
How Can Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Improve In Patches?
| Average Playtime | 11.5 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 87 |
Hideo Kojima paved the way for a video game icon in the form of Metal Gear Solid.
Since the PS1 game, the series was often synonymous with the PlayStation brand before going multiplatform, and that success carried over to the PSP with Portable Ops. Set six years after the events of Snake Eater, Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops sees Snake captured in Colombia by the renegade Fox unit.
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops
Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops and its standalone successor Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops Plus follow Snake and his teammates in single player and online multiplayer storylines.
FranchiseMetal GearPlatform(s)PSP, PS3, PS VitaReleasedDecember 5, 2006Developer(s)Konami, Kojima ProductionsPublisher(s)KonamiMultiplayerLocal MultiplayerExpand
19Velocity Takes to the Future
A Fantastic Space Shoot-’em UP
| Average Playtime | 8 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 87 |
A niche title, developer FuturLab’s Velocity is nonetheless a gem of the PSP’s library.
The gameplay is kept consistently entertaining thanks to its creative levels, obstacles, enemy variety, and objective-based campaign missions.
Velocity
In Velocity, players control the Quarp Jet’s test pilot as they defeat enemies in space.
Shoot ’em Up
PuzzlePlatform(s)PlayStation 3, PSP, PS Vita, PCReleasedMay 15, 2012Developer(s)FuturLab, Curve StudiosPublisher(s)FuturLab, Curve StudiosESRBE for Everyone – Alcohol Reference, Mild Fantasy ViolenceSequel(s)
18Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror Makes a Space of Its Own
Another Fun Stealth-Action Game
| Average Playtime | 7 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 87 |
Now better known for the PS4 exclusive Days Gone, Bend Studio spearheaded the third-person stealth series, Syphon Filter.
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror focuses on the continuing adventures of Gabe Logan in the Syphon Filter franchise.
Third-Person Shooter
StealthPlatform(s)PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5ReleasedMarch 14, 2006Developer(s)Bend StudioPublisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
17Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness is a Comedic RPG
Dozens of Hours of Tactical Gameplay
| Average Playtime | 41.5 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 87 |
Nippon Ichi Software’s Disgaea series is one of the greatest and longest-running tactical RPGs in gaming. Afternoon of Darkness was the PSP port of the PS2 version, revolving around Laharl trying to reclaim his late father’s throne of the Netherworld after rival demons fight for power.
Other JRPGs on PSP, like Persona, understandably get the most attention for the subgenre, but Afternoon of Darkness is a solid example of how the subgenre lends itself equally well to the tactical RPG subgenre. The classical turn-based approach makes it a seamless transition to this gameplay style, with its astonishingly complex and rewarding strategic elements earning its place among its contemporaries as one of the greatest JRPGs the PSP has to offer.
Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
A PSP version of Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness a humorous tactical rpg focusing on Laharl’s attempts to reclaim his throne.FranchisePlatform(s)Developer(s)Publisher(s)
16LittleBigPlanet is a Fun Platformer
Sackboy Does Puzzles and Platforms
| Average Playtime | 6 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 87 |
After the PS5’s Sackboy: A Big Adventure, long-time fans are likely hoping for a greater return of the platformer in the future. However, the charming protagonist has an admirable track record in PlayStation, including the PSP spin-off LittleBigPlanet.
PlayStation isn’t widely known anymore for its platforming icons, but SCE Cambridge Studio and Media Molecule’s LittleBigPlanet is a fond reminder of how this brand can produce engaging puzzle-platform hybrids. It’s a rather streamlined entry compared to the mainline PS3 installment of the time, but it’s still thoroughly engaging thanks to its slew of diverse levels and the classic feature letting players build their own levels.
Another case of simple yet effective, LittleBigPlanet earns its stripes for being one of the PSP’s most memorable releases for its delightful spin on the platforming genre. It’s one of the video game medium’s oldest gameplay styles, with the dev teams finding the right balance of feeling nostalgically familiar while introducing inventive features that blend effortlessly with the overall experience.
LittleBigPlanet
Sackboy’s puzzle platforming adventures continue in LittleBIGPlanet.
PlatformerFranchiseLittleBigPlanetPlatform(s)PlayStation 3ReleasedOctober 27, 2008Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
15Ridge Racer (2004) Brings Arcade Racing
Ridge Racer has Some of the Best Racing Mechanics
| Average Playtime | 8.5 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 88 |
The PSP is no stranger to solid racing games, and Namco (now known as Bandai Namco) provided the handheld with some of the best in the arcade racing subgenre. Ridge Racer is one of the better-known arcade-style titles, and the 2004 game transitioned without a hitch onto the PSP’s form factor.
The more intensive racing simulators — i.e., Forza, Gran Turismo, etc. — are extremely well regarded as well, but something about the casual, fast-paced nature of arcade titles like Ridge Racer is endlessly fun when playing on a portable device, and this game was widely praised as a celebration of the grander series history. On top of the tight racing mechanics, the collection of the franchise’s tracks, cars, and soundtracks helped the game earn its marks.
As with other genres, like shoot-’em-ups and platformers, racing games are a classic when looking back on the medium’s history, which makes Ridge Racer‘s acclaim and slick mechanics all the more impressive even today. These titles are known for exhilarating, high-octane gameplay as well as a degree of racing-simulation elements, and Namco managed to capture that experience in a more modern way. Most importantly, it’s the complete racing package for the pick-up-and-play nature of a handheld system, making it easy to see why Ridge Racer is one of the most fondly remembered racers on PSP.
Ridge Racer (2004)
An ode to the Ridge Racer franchise, Ridge Racer (2004) incorporates old tracks and new gameplay for the PSP.Platform(s)Developer(s)Publisher(s)
14Tekken: Dark Resurrection is the Best Fighting Game on PSP
Dark Resurrection is the Ideal Fighting Experience
| Average Playtime | 2 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 88 |
Tekken 8 Needs to Prioritize Its Single-Player Content
Tekken 8 has the ingredients to become the best game in the franchise, but it needs to bring back the series’ single-player content.
The PlayStation systems have some of the best fighting games in general, and Bandai Namco’s Tekken franchise is one of the pillars of the genre. As such, that lucrative success led to several smaller-scale endeavors, with the PSP entry Dark Resurrection being among the best.
Fighting games heavily rely on precise inputs, satisfying combo strings, and a varied character roster, and Dark Resurrection transitioned those successful elements of the home console releases well onto Sony’s debut portable gaming system. Game modes from PS2 releases were upgraded, namely Arcade Battle, along with some bonus characters to flesh out the roster.
Tekken and the wider fighting game genre are tentpoles dating as far back as the arcade-heavy days of the medium alongside the likes of Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. That gives the former a high bar to meet, even in its spin-off efforts, and Dark Resurrection earns its praise on PSP for offering the ideal portable experience for this series. Between its gameplay, alternate modes, and replay value, this Tekken installment offers a superb home-console-like experience in the PSP’s compact form factor.
Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection
Tekken 5 Dark Resurrection adds additional characters and other new features to Tekken 5.
FightingFranchiseTekkenPlatform(s)PS3, PSPReleasedJuly 25, 2006Developer(s)NamcoPublisher(s)Namco
13Wipeout Pure is an Action-Packed Racer
This Space Racer Has a Ton of Replayability
| Average Playtime | 7.5 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 88 |
On top of the likes of Ridge Racer, the PSP also featured beloved titles from the legacy series Wipeout. Studio Liverpool’s Wipeout Pure also carries the honor of being the most critically praised racer on the handheld, with reviews praising the wildly futuristic arcade racer.
Given Wipeout Pure‘s thoroughly sci-fi setting and premise, much of what made this game so beloved was the racing gameplay’s blistering pace. Likewise, the use of weapons and the selection of ships — each with its own pros and cons — gave the game a great sense of variety and replayability, with the visual presentation serving as a stunning complement to the overall experience.
Despite the overall racing genre’s straightforward objective, games like Wipeout Pure show how creative they can be within that framework. The sci-fi wrappings help give the game an excuse to get wilder with combat elements and weapon variety, combined with its relentless signature speed. Studio Liverpool’s title is a testament to the variety in the racing genre, with Wipeout Pure being a larger-than-life alternative to Ridge Racer.
Wipeout Pure
Wipeout Pure is a racing game set in the future as players join an anti-gravity racing league.
RacingPlatform(s)PSPReleasedMarch 24, 2005Publisher(s)Sony
12Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories Brings the Console Experience
A Bombastic GTA III Side Story as a Mobster
| Average Playtime | 18 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 88 |
Rockstar Games is known for developing some of the biggest-name games in the industry, and it’s arguably best known for the Grand Theft Auto series. The games are beloved for their bombastically fun action and liberating sandboxes, and the PSP spinoff Liberty City Stories is no exception.
Liberty City Stories puts players in the role of Tony Cipriani, a mobster from GTAIII, who’s attempting to climb the ranks of the organized crime world while dealing with rival gangs. Liberty City Stories was praised for bringing the essence of what made the explosive and addicting gameplay loop of the home console games so much fun and further flexing the technological capabilities of the PSP at the time.
The franchise has grown to new bombastic heights since this portable title, but it was an exceptional representation of Grand Theft Auto‘s hallmarks at the time. Pushing the handheld’s hardware can’t emphasized enough for a 2005 title, as the positive critical reception indicates that Liberty City Stories was able to offer the PSP a sense of scale that’s equivalent to the PS2 game.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories is a prequel to GTA III focusing on Tony Cipriani’s mafia rise.
Third-Person Shooter
SandboxFranchiseGrand Theft AutoPlatform(s)Android, iOS, PC, PS2, PS3, PS Vita, PSPReleasedOctober 25, 2005Developer(s)Rockstar Leeds, Rockstar NorthPublisher(s)Rockstar Games
11Final Fantasy Tactics: The War Of The Lions is a Perfect Remake
The War of the Lions Has a Timeless Story
| Average Playtime | 42 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 88 |
Square Enix established one of the giants of the JRPG subgenre with Final Fantasy in the ’80s, and the success it created in the decades that followed gave way to countless spinoffs. And despite being a spinoff, Tactics has earned the affection of many longtime series fans, even compared to the several excellent mainline Final Fantasy entries.
The War of the Lions was a PSP remake of the PS1 original and, as the title suggests, is a tactical spin on the conventional JRPG subgenre that the mainline games use. The game was lauded for its sweeping high-fantasy filled with political intrigue and meaningful dialogue-driven choices, in addition to the nailbiting tactical combat sure to test players’ strategic mettle.
The War of the Lions earned its universal acclaim not just for being an exceptional and faithful remake, but for emphasizing how perfect the JRPG and tactical-RPG subgenres work well together. The gameplay boasts incredible depth that holds up even today for hardcore strategy fans, and anchoring that all with a timeless plot assured its place among the franchise’s best. And as a lengthy and turn-based game, it complements the PSP’s on-the-go sensibilities wonderfully.
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions focuses on the war between Ivalice and Ordalia through the lens of historical documentation.
TacticalFranchiseFinal FantasyPlatform(s)Android, iOS, PSPReleasedMay 10, 2007Developer(s)Square Enix, TosePublisher(s)Square Enix
10Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker Is the Best Metal Gear Game on PSP
Metal Gear Solid Still has a Flexible Gameplay Style
| Average Playtime | 18 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 89 |
Konami and Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid series reached its peak beyond Portable Ops. Even today, Peace Walker easily stands as one of the strongest spin-off installments in the series. It proved to be a substantive piece in the franchise’s lore, with Snake running the Soldiers Without Borders mercenary group in Costa Rica.
The game was also acclaimed for its stealth-action combat and the sheer versatility in approaching covert situations in a variety of level-based sandboxes. Despite not receiving the commercial success of its mainstream console counterparts, its critical praise ranks among the most revered Metal Gear Solid games.
Before The Phantom Pain on PS4 and Xbox One elevated the capabilities of stealth-action gameplay in bigger sandboxes, Peace Walker was easily one of the best examples of how flexible Metal Gear‘s loop can be. On top of being such an impressive narrative addition to the wider mythos, the game’s mechanics were a polished evolution of the revered Snake Eater. That’s no small feat, making its widespread praise deserved both in the context of the Metal Gear franchise and the PSP’s rich library of games.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Snake commands his mercenaries and vehicles such as the Peace Walker in this installment of Metal Gear Solid.
StealthFranchiseMetal Gear SolidPlatform(s)PS3, Xbox 360, PSPReleasedJune 8, 2010Developer(s)Kojima ProductionsPublisher(s)Konami
9Persona 3 Portable Enhances the Experience
P3P is the Definitive Way to Play
| Average Playtime | 65 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 89 |
Every Party Member in Persona 3 Reload, Ranked
Each of Persona 3 Reload’s party members are compelling, but some stand out for their high damage, versatility, or supportive capabilities.
Though perhaps not as prolific as Square Enix’s Final Fantasy series, Atlus‘ Persona subseries has blossomed into a JRPG juggernaut over the years. Recent releases like Persona 5 Royal and refreshed ports of 4 Golden have cemented its global status as one of the best turn-based RPGs available, and 3 Portable has the honor of being the most well-received of its kind on the PSP.
An enhanced port of the original PS2 release, Persona 3 Portable was praised for expanding on the engaging content of the original version, including alternate story content and a new playable protagonist. The game also popularized the social-sim mechanics for the series and featured compelling and strategic turn-based combat.
The upcoming remake is poised to give possibly the definitive rendition of this beloved classic, but Persona 3 Portable still stands as a marvel for what it achieved on the PSP. Even though the PS2 version of the game was substantive as is, this port was an impressive and natural transition for the core game. With several dozens of hours worth of immersive content on hand, P3P is an ambitious JRPG to fit into the PSP’s format.
Persona 3 Portable
Persona 3 Portable is an abridged version of the game following the protagonist who investigates temporal anomalies and fights shadows in Tartarus alongside their squad.
JRPGFranchisePersonaPlatform(s)PC, PSP, PS4, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series SReleasedJuly 6, 2010Developer(s)AtlusPublisher(s)Atlus
8Lumines: Puzzle Fusion Offers a Unique Take
The Music Adds to the Experience
| Average Playtime | 8.5 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 89 |
Tetris is among the oldest and most classic relics in video game history, with the puzzle game being one of the earliest in the industry — and one of the most timeless. Puzzle games will always have their niche, especially with the pick-up-and-play nature of so many of them that complement short or long gameplay sessions.
Developer Q Entertainment’s Lumines: Puzzle Fusion is no exception, with the puzzler taking a music-centric spin on Tetris‘ tried-and-true gameplay loop. The object of the game featured a similar falling-block focus, but thanks to the PSP being one of the few handhelds to benefit from a headphone jack, the varying music tracks from stage to stage greatly enhanced the experience. Lumines: Puzzle Fusion‘s appeal is simple, but it’s also timeless.
The Tetris formula has long since proven its resilience in the modern gaming scene, even if it isn’t a blockbuster tentpole, and Q Entertainment’s take on this style demonstrates its versatility. A strong puzzle-solving gameplay leap can easily stand the test of time, and Lumines‘ mix of tradition and innovation warrants its ranking as the PSP’s best in the genre.
Lumines: Puzzle Fusion
Lumines: Puzzle Fusion is a music focused puzzle game on multiple platforms.
Puzzle
MusicPlatform(s)PC, PSP, PlayStation 4, Mobile, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 2ReleasedDecember 4, 2004Publisher(s)Bandai, Ubisoft, Enhance
7Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Has a New Perspective
Chinatown Wars Goes Back to the Series’ Roots
| Average Playtime | 9.5 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 90 |
The Grand Theft Auto franchise saw continued success on the PSP as well, with Chinatown Wars ranking as the most well-received game in the series on Sony’s portable game system. And since this game was also released for the Nintendo DS, the PSP version retained the top-down view the former used — as well as the perspective the mainline series’ first two games used.
Nonetheless, the game was acclaimed even with its now wildly different presentation. Similarly, the comic book-style art direction went over well with audiences, which complements the lower specs of a gaming handheld compared to a home console. Most importantly, though, Chinatown Wars featured a vibrant and addicting open-world sandbox in which to wreak havoc.
As fantastic as Liberty City Stories was for expanding the world of its PS2 counterpart in style and scope, Chinatown Wars was bold in the way it delved back into its roots. By tapping into the arcade-like origins of the franchise, the latter installment succeeded in distinguishing itself from its home console cousins and crafting an experience that embraces the sensibilities of handheld gaming, evidenced by the title’s universal acclaim.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (PSP)
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars follows Huang Lee and his struggles with Liberty City’s Triads.FranchisePlatform(s)Developer(s)Publisher(s)
6God Of War: Chains Of Olympus Maintains the Series’ Atmosphere
Chains Of Olympus is Graphical Masterpiece
| Average Playtime | 5.5 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 91 |
While the God of War‘s recent and acclaimed Norse excursions have given it arguably the greatest successes in its history, the classic days of the IP were nothing to scoff at. Before the 2018 soft reboot launched on the PS4, the franchise was widely known for its over-the-top hack-and-slash gameplay.
Ready at Dawn’s PSP spinoff God of War: Chains of Olympus continued the success the series has seen up to that point on home consoles, being praised for its combat. It was seamlessly reconfigured to fit the PSP’s control scheme without sacrificing its violent action’s catharsis. Likewise, it was seen as a technical showcase for the power of the PSP, proving to be one of the best-performing graphical games on the system. As far as spinoffs go, Chains of Olympus is an example of how these smaller-scale games can be just as impactful as their mainline counterparts.
The God of War franchise has taken an engrossing and welcome turn into more cinematic storytelling and more intimately-scaled combat, but this handheld entry is perfectly emblematic of its time. It was widely acclaimed for expanding the series’ mythos in a meaningful way, spinoff or not. Chains of Olympus also seamlessly transitions the console games’ atmosphere and gameplay to the PSP in addition to the controller layout, all without compromising on quality.
God of War: Chains of Olympus
In this prequel to God of War, Kratos searches for Helios to save the gods from Morpheus’ slumber.
Hack and SlashFranchiseGod of WarPlatform(s)PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 3ReleasedMarch 4, 2008Developer(s)Ready at DawnPublisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
5Daxter Finally Gets His Own Adventure in Jak & Daxter: The Lost Frontier
A Fresh New Take on the Series
| Average Playtime | 7.5 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 86 |
Daxter takes the Jak and Daxter universe to new heights with a fresh perspective in The Lost Frontier. As Jak’s ottsel companion, Daxter undergoes a unique transformation into a mutant ottsel, gaining extraordinary abilities that bring a whole new dimension to the platforming challenges. Players will utilize Daxter’s agility and combat skills to overcome obstacles, solve environmental puzzles, and take down enemies in inventive ways.
The game’s humor shines through Daxter’s wisecracks and witty dialogue, providing a lighthearted counterpoint to players’ challenges. Daxter is a delightful spin-off that offers a fun and engaging experience for fans of the Jak and Daxter series and newcomers alike.
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4Patapon Has a Lot of Rythmic Fun
Rhythm Leads to Victory in Battles
| Average Playtime | 10 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 85 |
Patapon’s gameplay is a masterful blend of rhythm and strategy, offering a deeply engaging and satisfying experience. The rhythmic drum commands, which players will master as they progress, allow for the orchestration of the Patapon army with increasing complexity and precision, adding a strategic layer to the game.
Success in battle hinges on the player’s ability to adapt their drumming to the situation, whether issuing a steady beat to maintain formation during a march or unleashing a flurry of frantic commands to execute a powerful combo attack. Patapon’s soundtrack is a crucial element to the game’s success, as the music provides a driving force that motivates players to master the rhythm and lead their Patapons to victory.
3LocoRoco is the Perfect Game for Relaxing
LocoRoco Uses Unique Controls
| Average Playtime | 5 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 84 |
LocoRoco’s appeal goes beyond its delightful visuals and relaxing gameplay. The innovative use of the PSP’s tilt controls sets it apart, offering a unique and intuitive way to interact with the world, making it a must-try for players seeking novel gaming experiences. Players will tilt the PSP to guide the LocoRoco through winding paths, avoid precarious drops, and navigate puzzles that require manipulating the environment.
The game’s clever level design encourages experimentation and exploration as players discover new ways to utilize LocoRoco’s abilities and uncover hidden secrets within the vibrant world. LocoRoco is a delightful and polished title that offers a perfect balance of challenge and relaxation, making it an enjoyable experience for players of all ages.
2Monster Hunter Freedom Unite Brings Players Together
Freedom Unite Stay True to the Monster Hunter Formula
| Average Playtime | 40 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 85 |
Monster Hunter Wilds Gameplay Revealed in New Trailer
Monster Hunter Wilds’ new trailer gives fans a sneak peek at the franchise’s upcoming installment, including its gameplay.
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite offers a deep and rewarding gameplay experience that caters to players who enjoy a challenge. The thrill of the hunt lies in meticulously tracking down monsters, learning their attack patterns, and exploiting their weaknesses.
The game rewards players for their preparation and mastery of combat mechanics as they craft and upgrade weapons and armor tailored to take down different monsters. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite isn’t just a solo experience. Players can collaborate with friends to tackle challenging hunts cooperatively, adding a layer of social interaction and camaraderie that enhances the gameplay experience.
1Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep is a Fantastic Prequel
Birth By Sleep Adds A Lot to the Kingdom Hearts Lore
| Average Playtime | 30 hours |
|---|---|
| Metacritic Score | 84 |
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep is an action RPG prequel to the first Kingdom Hearts game. Set ten years before Sora’s adventures, the story follows three young Keyblade wielders: Terra, Ventus, and Aqua. As they train to become Keyblade Masters, darkness threatens the Disney worlds. Each character has a unique story path, allowing players to experience the narrative from different perspectives.
The gameplay features familiar action RPG elements like combat and exploration but with distinct mechanics for each character. Birth by Sleep is a crucial chapter in the Kingdom Hearts lore, introducing important characters and plot threads that resonate throughout the series.