Sony’s first crack at a handheld system needed to compete with the best DS games if it was going to stand a chance. Unlike Nintendo’s dual-screen system, the PlayStation Portable played it straight by simply offering as close to a console-level experience as you could get on the go and prioritizing power over gimmicks. In that way, it was able to release games that looked almost as good as the best PS2 games.
The PSP library was incredibly strong. Just about every PlayStation franchise at the time had some form of representation here, plus a suite of third-party games. Even though it was limited to just one analog stick, developers were able to design around the controls to make some of the best games of all time.
Burnout Legends
76%
Platforms
PlayStation Portable
Genre
Racing, Arcade
Developer
Criterion Games
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Release
September 13, 2005
Burnout: Legends takes the high-velocity racing of Burnout 3: Takedown and adds several tracks and gameplay modes from the first two Burnout titles to create a deep, extremely enjoyable package that we consider one of the best racing games. Legends brings back fan-favorite tracks and modes like Pursuit, where players can take control of a police car and try to take down illegal street racers before they escape. All told, the game includes 95 unlockable cars, 18 distinct maps, and nine unique race types (including the ever-popular Crash, where you simply fly into intersections and try to rack up huge property damage bills). It’s enough to keep your thumbs busy for days.
Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles
80%
Platforms
PlayStation Portable
Genre
Platform, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Konami
Publisher
Konami
Release
October 23, 2007
Castlevania: Rondo of Blood released in Japan in 1993 to critical acclaim, but an English version of the game was never made — well, until 2007, when Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles made its way to the PSP. Chronicles included both Rondo and its celebrated sequel, Castlevania: Symphony of Terror, in one incredible vampire-slaying package. In Chronicles, you play as protagonists Richter Belmont and Alucard, and try to navigate perilous 2D, side-scrolling castles and dungeons in an effort to take down Dracula. Old-school Castlevania fans and newcomers alike should enjoy the game’s excellent soundtrack and updated visuals.
Daxter
80%
Platforms
PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Ready at Dawn
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (SCEI)
Release
March 14, 2006
A mobile side-story set between Jak and Daxter and Jak II, one of the most iconic gaming franchises of all time, went mobile with this 2006 release, which brings the focus back to pure, unadulterated platforming. Daxter is a front-to-back romp full of personality and humor that perfectly complements the light, skill-based platforming that dominates the gameplay. The PSP’s visuals are a bit dated at this point, sure, but Daxter‘s vibrant colors and subtle details inject the game with a ton of flair. Add in some mini-games that lampoon popular movies, and you’ve got yourself a pretty nice handheld game.
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
84%
Platforms
PlayStation Portable
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Square Enix
Publisher
Square Enix
Release
September 13, 2007
Fans of the best Final Fantasy games will feel right at home in this real-time action prequel to the original PlayStation classic FFVII. As protagonist Zack Fair, a member of Soldier and a minor character in FFVII, you’ll search for missing Soldiers Angeal and Genesis, and learn about the truth behind the Shinra corporation. The game features real-time combat, creating a seamless experience, and emails that Zack receives throughout the game provide additional context and a greater sense of immersion. Crisis Core is built exclusively for gaming on the go, too, as dozens of short side quests provide entertainment for the bus or train ride home.
God of War: Chains of Olympus
78%
Platforms
PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable
Genre
Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
Ready at Dawn, SCE Santa Monica Studio
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (SCEI), Capcom
Release
March 04, 2008
Everyone’s favorite combo-droppin’, god-slayin’ combat machine returned for 2008’s God of War: Chains of Olympus. Developed by Ready At Dawn, the game features a clever adaptation of God of War’s control scheme and is among the most visually impressive titles made for the console. In Chains, we get to see Kratos during his 10-year service to the gods of Olympus, as he attempts to rescue Helios — who, ironically, he would later kill — and save the Greek pantheon from Morpheus, the god of dreams, and Persephone, the queen of the underworld. If you love Chains of Olympus, you can check out Ghost of Sparta, which continues the action. Steeped in Greek lore, Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta provide tons of insight into the life of Kratos before the events of God of War, making them must-plays for fans of the series.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
73%
Platforms
PlayStation 2, Android, PlayStation Portable, iOS
Genre
Racing, Adventure
Developer
Rockstar Leeds, Rockstar North
Publisher
Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games
Release
October 25, 2005
Just because you don’t have a car doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun on the road with one of the best GTA games! Thanks to Rockstar Games, you can steal cars and stage epic shootouts with the police — all from the back seat of a public bus. Liberty City Stories, a prequel to Grand Theft Auto III, follows Antonio “Toni” Cipriani as ascends the ranks of the Italian mafia in Liberty City. Those familiar with Grand Theft Auto won’t see much difference from the console titles in terms of gameplay or features, though Stories plays out on a smaller “portable” open world. The series’ distinctive charm still comes through, though, from the humorous cutscenes to cops who just don’t know when to quit. Once you wrap up this adventure, you can check out Vice City Stories for more open-world chaos.
Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
86%
Platforms
PlayStation Portable
Genre
Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
Square Enix Product Development Division 5
Publisher
Square Enix, Disney Interactive Studios
Release
January 09, 2010
Though we have now played Kingdom Hearts III — and even the massive expansion Kingdom Hearts III: ReMind — they were little more than a twinkle in Square Enix’ eye when Birth by Sleep came out in 2010. At the time, this PSP side-story gave fans of the series something to tide them over in the meantime — and some reassurance that the series was still alive and well. Birth by Sleep brings back the popular combat system from Kingdom Hearts 2 with some welcome additions. Notably, the Command System allows players to customize a Command Deck for combat and a Focus bar that replaces the old MP (magic point) system. The plot follows Terra, Aqua, and Ventus, three apprentice Keyblade wielders, on their journey throughout several Disney environments.
Lumines II
Platforms
PlayStation Portable
Genre
Music, Puzzle, Strategy
Developer
Q Entertainment
Publisher
Q Entertainment, Buena Vista Games
Release
November 06, 2006
Where the original Lumines captured audiences with its unique blend of rhythm and strategy, the follow-up brought big-name artists such as Gwen Stefani and Missy Elliott into the fray. This simple yet challenging title is one of the best puzzle games that looks like Tetris at first glance but packs so much more into its sleek package. The player keeps their board clear by creating square shapes using solid colors; each stage has two sets of colorful blocks that drop in four-block-boxes with randomized patterns. The game synchronizes a sweeping bar that moves across the screen from left to right with a number of musical tracks, composed of varying speeds. The speed of the beat determines the speed of the bar, which, in turn, determines how fast you’ll need to create your squares to keep the board clean. The game is set up so that you’ll need to complete tracks in a linear fashion to unlock the next track, which is an annoyance for some and an obsession for others. Either way, the game is perfectly suited to the short periods of playtime that mobile gaming affords.
Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters
69%
Platforms
PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
Genre
Shooter, Platform, Adventure
Developer
High Impact Games
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (SCEI)
Release
February 13, 2007
Gamers will rejoice that Sony’s Ratchet and Clank series is available on PSP due to Developer High Impact Games engineering its duplication. In this mission, Ratchet and Clank attempt to rescue a young girl named Luna, who has been trapped by the Technomite tyrant Otto Destruct. To aid them in their quest, you’ll have access to some fun new mechanics. Ratchet has a host of new weaponry, and Clank gets some brain-spinning new puzzles — all while keeping the classic charm and great gameplay of the original series. Size Matters supports all the features you know and love, like titanium bolts, skill points, and the R.Y.N.O. Best of all, Ratchet & Clank works for all different sizes of consoles.
Secret Agent Clank
77%
Platforms
PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Sanzaru Games, High Impact Games
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. (SCEI)
Release
June 17, 2008
As the supreme underdog, Clank has capture fans’ imaginations over the years. So it’s no surprise we eventually got a game with Clank’s backstory, and it truly delivers. Secret Agent Clank follows Clank through a TV show in Up Your Arsenal, which also happens to be the series’ third release. One of the best parts is when we get to see Clank pull a James Bond and work on the infamous Eye of Infinity gem theft case.
