When the PlayStation Portable launched in 2004, it changed the way players thought about handheld consoles. Until then, portable gaming had mostly been spaceman demo associated with short, casual experiences. The PSP broke this mold by offering some of the best games in handheld history, with console-quality graphics and gameplay that fit in the palm of your hand. Titles such as Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, God of War: Chains of Olympus, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker proved that PSP games could rival their PlayStation console counterparts.

What made PSP games remarkable was their variety and ambition. Alongside major franchises, the system also delivered unique, creative projects. Patapon introduced rhythm-based strategy gameplay, LocoRoco blended physics with charming design, and Lumines redefined puzzle games with its stylish music-driven mechanics. These PSP games are remembered as some of the best games of their era because they combined accessibility with innovation, showing that handhelds could be more than just secondary devices.

The social aspect of the PSP was also crucial. Ad-hoc multiplayer allowed players to gather for cooperative hunts in Monster Hunter Freedom Unite or battle each other in Tekken: Dark Resurrection. In Japan especially, PSP games became part of everyday life, as communities formed around these multiplayer sessions. The best games aren’t only those with strong mechanics; they’re the ones that create social bonds and lasting memories—and the PSP delivered both.

Although technology has advanced, PSP games remain benchmarks for portable gaming. Their legacy as some of the best games is secure because they redefined what handhelds could achieve, offering both creativity and depth in a small device.