The PlayStation Portable (PSP) may not have had the same widespread success as other handheld consoles like the Nintendo DS, but it carved its own niche by offering console-quality experiences in the palm of your hand. With its impressive graphics and diverse library of games, the PSP proved that portable gaming didn’t have to be bmw4d limited to simple, casual experiences. Among the best PSP games are Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, God of War: Chains of Olympus, and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII—each of which showcased the PSP’s potential and remains beloved by fans even years after its release.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories brought the chaotic and vibrant world of Liberty City to the PSP in 2005, offering a portable version of the series’ signature open-world gameplay. The game followed Toni Cipriani, a mobster trying to rise through the ranks of the criminal underworld. Despite being on a handheld console, Liberty City Stories retained much of the core elements that made the Grand Theft Auto series so popular—wide-open exploration, engaging missions, and a narrative full of twists and turns. The game was not only a technical achievement for the PSP but also an example of how handheld gaming could deliver an experience on par with console releases.
God of War: Chains of Olympus, released in 2008, is one of the standout titles in the God of War franchise and one of the best games on the PSP. The game took players on a journey through Greek mythology, allowing them to step into the shoes of Kratos once again. The fast-paced combat and stunning visuals were impressive for a handheld console, and the game did an excellent job of replicating the console experience while making adjustments to fit the smaller screen. Despite its relatively short length, Chains of Olympus delivered a thrilling and emotional adventure that stood as one of the PSP’s most memorable experiences.
Finally, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is a prequel to the legendary Final Fantasy VII, released for the PSP in 2007. The game followed Zack Fair, a SOLDIER operative, as he navigated the dangerous world of Shinra and uncovered secrets that would shape the events of Final Fantasy VII. The action RPG combat system was a departure from the traditional turn-based gameplay of the main series, offering real-time combat with flashy attacks and magic spells. Crisis Core was a visual and narrative triumph on the PSP, with deep character development and an emotionally charged story that provided fans of Final Fantasy VII with a new perspective on the world.
The PSP may have been short-lived compared to other consoles, but its library of games has had a lasting impact on the gaming community. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, God of War: Chains of Olympus, and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII remain as some of the best handheld gaming experiences ever created. These games showed that the PSP was capable of delivering console-quality gaming experiences on the go, and they are still fondly remembered by fans around the world. Even though the PSP is no longer in production, its legacy continues to live on through the unforgettable games that helped define the system.