Though it’s been years since the PlayStation Portable was at the forefront of the cendanabet gaming world, its legacy remains deeply influential. It was the first portable device to offer near-console graphics, high-quality audio, and a rich multimedia experience all in one. What truly made it shine, however, were the games. The best PSP games weren’t watered-down versions—they were full experiences built specifically for the hardware’s capabilities.

Titles like Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep were not only pivotal to their series’ overarching storylines but also some of the most graphically impressive games ever seen on a handheld at the time. With real-time combat, cinematic cutscenes, and a branching narrative, it delivered what felt like a full Kingdom Hearts game, not a spin-off. Similarly, SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Fireteam Bravo brought intense tactical gameplay to the PSP and created a loyal multiplayer following.

What makes many of these PSP games memorable is how they expanded the boundaries of their genres. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together introduced depth and replayability that rivaled even the best console RPGs. Meanwhile, Wipeout Pure provided high-speed racing with a futuristic aesthetic that pushed the handheld’s graphical limits. These titles proved that portable gaming didn’t have to be a compromise—it could be a powerhouse of its own.

Today, as handheld gaming sees a resurgence through devices like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch, many developers continue to look back at the PSP for inspiration. Its library of groundbreaking titles laid the groundwork for the belief that handheld experiences could be as ambitious, rewarding, and immersive as anything played on a television.