With its sleek design and console-quality visuals, the PlayStation Portable had a lot going for it — but not every great game got the attention it deserved. Beneath the big hitters like Crisis Core and Monster Hunter, the PSP was a treasure slot88 chest of underrated gems that delivered inventive, engaging, and original gameplay. These games may have flown under the radar during their time, but they’re more than worth rediscovering today.
Jeanne d’Arc is one of the best tactical RPGs ever made, yet it’s rarely talked about outside of hardcore fans. Developed by Level-5, it blends real historical figures with magical fantasy, placing players in command of Joan of Arc and her allies. With its polished combat system, emotional narrative, and gorgeous anime-style presentation, Jeanne d’Arc proved that the PSP could host strategy games with just as much depth as any home console.
Another underappreciated gem is Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, a remaster of the classic SNES tactical RPG. This title offered moral choices, multiple branching paths, and deeply customizable units long before those features became RPG staples. The PSP version added voice acting and improved balancing, giving this retro classic a modern edge that made it a must-play for strategy fans.
For those craving a more action-oriented experience, Killzone: Liberation delivered a top-down shooter that surprised critics with its quality and tight controls. It didn’t try to replicate its console counterpart — it reimagined itself to fit the PSP’s strengths, delivering snappy missions, a great soundtrack, and even co-op multiplayer. It’s a game that proved sometimes scaling down doesn’t mean stripping away the soul of a franchise.
These overlooked PSP games show that beyond the popular titles, the handheld was home to a rich and diverse lineup. Many of these games are now hard to find physically, but for collectors, modders, or even PlayStation Plus subscribers with access to digital re-releases, they’re worth the time. They may not have made the headlines, but they certainly earned their place in gaming history.