When Sony launched the PSP in 2004, it wasn’t just entering the handheld market—it was redefining it. Prior to the PSP, portable gaming was largely seen as secondary to home consoles, with simpler graphics and gameplay. SAJI TOTO But the PSP changed that perception by offering a genuine console-like experience in a pocket-sized format. Many of its best games felt like full-fledged titles, not watered-down handheld versions.

From Tekken: Dark Resurrection to Wipeout Pure, the PSP’s lineup impressed with smooth controls and impressive visuals for a device of its size. These weren’t quick, disposable time-fillers; they were games you could sit with for hours, fully immersed in deep mechanics and captivating worlds. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories brought the open-world chaos of the franchise to handheld, something previously considered impossible at the time.

One of the PSP’s most underrated strengths was how it catered to diverse genres. It wasn’t just about action and racing. There were excellent RPGs like Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, inventive rhythm games like DJ Max Portable, and even simulation experiences like Football Manager Handheld. These games offered long-lasting value and proved that portable didn’t have to mean limited.

In retrospect, the PSP’s influence is clear. It laid the groundwork for systems like the Nintendo Switch and modern cloud gaming services. It showed that players wanted—and would support—ambitious games they could take anywhere. The best PSP games continue to stand tall in gaming history, thanks to the system’s daring vision and commitment to quality.