When the PlayStation Portable launched, it was up against a dominant Nintendo handheld market. Yet, it quickly carved out a unique space by offering games that rivaled console quality in both graphics pianototo and gameplay. The PSP defied expectations, showing the world that portable gaming didn’t have to mean sacrificing depth or immersion. For a device released in 2004, the quality and complexity of many PSP games were astonishing—and they still hold up today.

One reason PSP games stood out was their bold approach to traditional console genres. Resistance: Retribution, for example, brought third-person shooting to the handheld format with remarkable precision, while Gran Turismo PSP gave racing fans a surprisingly robust simulation on the go. The ability to play games like Tekken: Dark Resurrection or SoulCalibur: Broken Destiny with near-console-level performance was revolutionary for mobile gaming at the time.

RPGs especially thrived on the PSP. Titles such as Jeanne d’Arc, Valkyria Chronicles II, and Star Ocean: Second Evolution offered hours of content, complex battle systems, and layered narratives. These weren’t simple time-killers—they were full-fledged adventures in your pocket. The PSP also became a haven for remasters and ports, helping preserve older titles for a new generation and giving classic games new life in a portable format.

Despite its discontinuation, the PSP’s legacy continues through nostalgia, emulation, and collector interest. Its influence is still seen in how Sony and other companies now approach handheld and cloud gaming. The PSP proved that handheld gaming could be ambitious, stylish, and powerful—and its best games are still remembered as triumphs of portable design.