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- Jeanne D’Arc
- Level-5
30 Underrated PSP Games That Are Definitely Worth Revisiting
When it comes to underrated consoles, the PlayStation Portable is near the top of the list. Released in 2005 in North America, the PSP was light-years ahead of the Game Boy in terms of sheer graphics capabilities. With enough power to rival the PS2, the PSP was supposed to herald a new age of hand-held gaming, and while it may have been pretty popular in Japan, North American sales were anything but enthusiastic (although piracy may have played a large role in that). Still, there were some amazing games released during the PSP's 10-year run (especially RPGs), as well as plenty of hidden gems. Forget all the best and most popular games — this list is ranking all the best underrated PSP games you've probably never heard of.
The PSP came out at a strange time in video game history. During the early 2000s, portable gaming consoles were slowly falling out of favor. Instead, people were starting to turn to their smartphones for on-the-go gaming. Although the PSP did reach a decent level of popularity for a few years, its audience fizzled out a lot quicker than previous portable consoles. As a result, many games that were developed for the PSP never really got their chance to shine.
So dust off that old PSP of yours and check out some of these awesome forgotten titles. As always, vote up all the games you think deserve more recognition, and add any you think should be included in this list.
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- Level-5
This PSP game ingeniously blends the historical story of Joan of Arc with fantasy elements to produce a poignant, engaging narrative. Gameplay in this strategy RPG is turn-based, ensuring that every move counts and making for thoughtful and tactical battles. The game has gone down in history as one of the PSP's most memorable titles, not only for its story but also for its incredible gameplay mechanics.
- Released: 2006
- Developer: LEVEL-5
- Genres (Video game): Role-playing (RPG), Tactical
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- RedLynx
This PSP adaptation of the renowned Warhammer 40,000 franchise delivers a killer combination of intricate strategizing and intense combat. Its immersive 3D-isometric game mechanics enhance the tactical gameplay experience, making it an unmissable title for strategy enthusiasts. The game's memorable moments and challenging battles have secured its place as a cult favourite among PSP fans.
- Released: 2007
- Developer: RedLynx
- Genres (Video game): Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical
Hidden gem?Buy at
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Ys Seven
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- Nihon Falcom
In Ys Seven, players join Adol and Dogi on a gripping adventure filled with epic battles and captivating lore. The action RPG gameplay and immersive open-world exploration deliver a captivating playing experience. It's unanimously considered a shining star of the PSP game library, appealing to hardcore role-playing fans and casual players alike.
- Released: 2009
- Developer: Nihon Falcom
- Genres (Video game): Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Hidden gem?Buy at
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Rengoku II: The Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N
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- Hudson Soft
Dubbed a "dungeon crawler of the skies", Rengoku II: The Stairway to H.E.A.V.E.N offers a perfect blend of exploration and combat. The narrative follows the journey of robotic warriors striving for ultimate power, while the gameplay is brutally addictive with every level packing a new punch. Its influence is still felt years after release, having carved out its own niche in the PSP's portfolio.
- Released: Sep 12 2006
- Developer: Neverland, Hudson Soft
- Genres (Video game): Action game, Adventure, Fantasy
Hidden gem?Buy at
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Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure
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- Nihon Falcom
Dive into a world of cute monsters and fierce battles in Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure. This action RPG game, featuring button-mashing combat and puzzle-solving elements, wastes no time in pulling you into its charming, colourful world. It left quite the mark in the PSP library due to its unique blend of genres and its cute but powerful protagonist.
- Released: 2007
- Developer: Nihon Falcom
- Genres (Video game): Action-adventure game, Platform game, Action game
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Will
Echochrome captivates players with a mind-bending Escher-like puzzle game that challenges perceptions of depth and direction. The story turns you into a puppet master guiding a mannequin-like figure through architecturally impossible levels. Echochrome carved out a niche for itself in the PSP library as an original, thought-provoking work of digital art.
- Released: 2008
- Developer: Will
- Genres (Video game): Puzzle
Hidden gem?Buy at
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Ys: The Oath in Felghana
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- Nihon Falcom
Living up to its reputation, Ys: The Oath in Felghana is a thrilling, action-paced RPG saga loaded with dynamic fights and sprawling environments. Its captivating plotline and enthralling gameplay mechanics have earned it rave reviews from PSP users. This gem has proven to be more than a flash in the pan, captivating players for hours on end.
- Released: 2005
- Developer: Nihon Falcom
- Genres (Video game): Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Hidden gem?Buy at
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Half-Minute Hero
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- Marvelous Entertainment
This innovative RPG pushes the limits with its unique time-restricted gameplay and witty narrative. Half-Minute Hero has you play a hero who must save the world in 30 seconds, providing a fast-paced, action-packed gaming experience. Its quirky concept and engaging playability made it a cult classic, which continues to stand the test of time amongst PSP titles.
- Released: 2009
- Developer: Marvelous Entertainment
- Genres (Video game): Real-time strategy, action role-playing, shoot 'em up
Hidden gem?Buy at
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Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero?
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- Nippon Ichi Software
Packed with sass and chaotic platforming action, Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? offers hours of laughter and frustration in equal measure. It's a doodle of strategy and frantic gameplay, set in a humorously dark narrative. Despite its merciless difficulty, it's won the hearts of PSP users and is regularly name-checked as a must-play.
- Released: 2008
- Developer: Nippon Ichi Software
- Genres (Video game): Platform, Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Sega CS3
Valkyria Chronicles II weaves an intricate tale of political intrigue and military saga with adventurous undertones. With a blend of strategic turn-based combat and real-time action, it paints a melodramatic, yet deeply engrossing gaming experience. Having set a high bar amongst strategy RPGs, this PSP game remains firmly lodged in players' memory banks.
- Released: 2010
- Developer: Sega CS3
- Genres (Video game): Tactical role-playing game
Hidden gem?Buy at
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Gitaroo Man Lives!
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- Koei
This rhythm-action game strikes a chord for its offbeat story of a boy turned music hero to save the universe. Unique button-press gameplay mechanics will have you strumming along to the beat, making it an engaging playthrough. Gitaroo Man Lives!, with its irresistible rhythm-action gameplay, has certainly hit the right note amongst PSP games.
- Released: 2006
- Developer: iNiS
- Genres (Video game): Music
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Nihon Falcom
When it comes to deep storylines and tactical battles, The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is the one to beat. With its turn-based fighting system and excellent narrative, it poses a worthy challenge for even the savviest of gamers. Despite its underrated status, this game shines as an emblem of the PSP's brilliant storytelling potential and RPG offerings.
- Released: 2011
- Developer: Nihon Falcom
- Genres (Video game): Adventure, Role-playing video game
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Electronic Arts
Dante's Inferno brings the classic Inferno to life with an action-packed narrative where Dante must fight through the nine circles of hell to rescue his love. The hack-and-slash action explores the depths of the underworld, offering gameplay both fierce and unforgiving. The PSP game, despite the darker tones, found a place in players' hearts for its epic narrative and thrilling gameplay.
- Released: 2010
- Developer: Visceral Games
- Genres (Video game): Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Capcom
Power Stone 2 transports players into a frantic, multi-directional fighting game with a zany cast of characters possessing unique abilities in spirited arenas. Gameplay centers around collecting power stones to transform and unleash powerful attacks on opponents. Despite being a sequel, Power Stone 2 was lauded for its original, action-packed gameplay and became a pivotal title on the PSP.
- Released: 2000
- Developer: Capcom
- Genres (Video game): Fighting, Platform
Hidden gem?Buy at
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Me & My Katamari
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- Now Production
In a quest to rebuild the cosmos after the extravagant lifestyle of the King of all Cosmos destroys it, Me & My Katamari has you rolling whatever you can find into your Katamari to create new stars. The gameplay is as quirky as it is addictive, with a unique control scheme and an eclectic soundtrack that adds to the insanity. This game made waves for featuring an eccentric gameplay style, making it an absolute blast to play on the PSP.
- Released: 2005
- Developer: Namco
- Genres (Video game): Puzzle, Strategy, Adventure
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Bugbear Entertainment
FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage releases an adrenaline rush with destruction-racing gameplay set in environments full of smashable objects. The storyline is a classic underdog tale, with you, the plucky challenger, taking on a series of seasoned racers. With its rip-roaring races and demolition derby-style challenges, the game quickly became a hit amongst gearheads on the PSP.
- Released: 2007
- Developer: Bugbear Entertainment
- Genres (Video game): Racing, Arcade
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Capcom
Set in a gothic-inspired world, Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower pit monstrous combatants against each other, a classic struggle between light and darkness. The gameplay marries traditional 2D fighting mechanics with unique, character-specific abilities. The game made its name on PSP, providing a monster of a time for fans of the fighting genre.
- Released: 2004
- Developer: Capcom
- Genres (Video game): Fighting, Arcade
Hidden gem?Buy at
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Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins
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- Capcom
True to its name, Ultimate Ghosts'n Goblins adds a thrilling twist to the iconic Ghosts'n Goblins series. The side-scrolling action platform game lets you navigate eerie graveyards and haunted castles while battling the creepy undead. Its nostalgic charm and challenging gameplay made it a popular title, leaving a lasting impression on the PSP library.
- Released: Aug 03 2006
- Developer: Capcom, Tose Co., Ltd.
- Genres (Video game): Platform game, Action game, Run and gun, Hack and slash
Hidden gem?Buy at
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Metal Slug XX
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- SNK Playmore
Metal Slug XX puts you on the frontlines of a hyperactive war, engaging in chaotic run-and-gun action against an insane, militaristic threat. The gameplay offers pure arcade bliss, complete with ridiculous weapons and zany humor. This game exploded onto the PSP scene, reinforcing the platform's reputation for excellent arcade conversions.
- Released: 2010
- Developer: SNK
- Genres (Video game): Shooter, Platform
Hidden gem?Buy at
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Crimson Gem Saga
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- IronNos Corp.
With a rich narrative that offers a fresh take on a classic RPG formula, Crimson Gem Saga stands out for the depth and quality of its storytelling. Its old-school turn-based gameplay and beautiful art style create a nostalgic adventure for RPG fans that harks back to the genre's golden era. This PSP classic has left an indelible mark, imprinting its enriching story and engaging gameplay on players' minds.
- Released: 2008
- Developer: Sonnori
- Genres (Video game): Role-playing (RPG)
Hidden gem?Buy at
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Macross Ace Frontier
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- Artdink
Macross Ace Frontier flies you into the interstellar conflict of the Macross Universe, batting off alien invaders to save Earth. Mixing flight sim and arcade-style gameplay, the game offers a sublime blend of action and strategy. This game soared in the PSP landscape as one of the best mech-centric arcade-style games.
- Released: 2008
- Developer: Artdink
- Genres (Video game): Shooter, Simulator
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- SCE Japan Studio
In Patapon 2, the player becomes a deity guiding a tribe of adorable warriors on their quest for prosperity using rhythmic commands. This unique rhythm-based strategy game combines gameplay with music in a twist that keeps you on your toes. Patapon 2 built on its predecessor's success by making players move to the beat of a very different drum on their PSPs.
- Released: 2008
- Developer: Pyramid
- Genres (Video game): Music, Puzzle, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Strategy
Hidden gem?Buy at
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R-Type Tactics
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- Irem
R-Type Tactics breaks the mold of traditional R-Type games with its strategic turn-based gameplay and intriguing complexity. this game is renowned for its challenging difficulty and rich backstory, where players command their fleet against an alien race. Its innovative take on the R-Type franchise made it stand out from the PSP crowd, leaving its strategic thumbprint on the gaming industry.
- Released: 2008
- Developer: Irem
- Genres (Video game): Shooter game, Turn-based strategy
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Rebellion Developments
Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron places you in the boots of a clone trooper, embroiled in the epic conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Separatists. Encouraging players to master ground, air, and space combat, this game expanded the Battlefront series to encompass all aspects of the Star Wars universe. This game astounded the PSP community, showing the portable could deliver a multiplayer experience on a galactic scale.
- Released: Nov 03 2009
- Developer: Rebellion Developments, n-Space
- Genres (Video game): Shooter, Third-person Shooter, Action, Vehicular combat
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Guerrilla Games
Killzone: Liberation drags you into the gritty world of futuristic warfare, playing a key role in a war against a totalitarian regime. Featuring top-down, tactical shooter gameplay, this game added a new dimension to the Killzone franchise. This title launched a successful invasion on the PSP, complementing the platform's shooter line-up.
- Released: 2006
- Developer: Guerrilla Games
- Genres (Video game): Shooter
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Rockstar North
Lemmings returns on PSP as a loveable puzzle-platformer where players guide a swarm of suicidal critters through treacherous terrain. The gameplay requires strategic use of specialized lemming abilities to safely navigate through assorted hazards. This classic game found a comfortable burrow on the PSP, attracting gamers with its charming characters and complex puzzles.
- Released: 1994
- Developer: DMA Design
- Genres (Video game): Puzzle, Strategy
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Capcom
Mega Man: Powered Up reinvents the classic 1987 NES title for the PSP with fresh graphics, new modes, and the ability to play as bosses. Memorable gameplay is punched up with level creation tools, adding a creativity layer to the platforming action. This reboot got a power-up on PSP, taking the retro charm of the original and energizing it for a new generation of gamers.
- Released: Mar 02 2006
- Developer: Capcom
- Genres (Video game): Platform game, Action game, Adventure
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Metaweb (FB)
- Fair use
Star Soldier brings back the nostalgia of arcade-style shoot 'em up games in an extraterrestrial storyline battling enemy spaceships and bosses. The gameplay features vertical-scrolling shooter action with upgradeable weaponry. Star Soldier stood as a stalwart representative of retro gaming's lasting appeal on the PSP.
- Released: 2012
- Developer: Hudson Soft
- Genres (Video game): Shoot 'em up, Action game
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Capcom
Monster Hunter Freedom thrusts players into a fantastical world filled with gargantuan beasts, testing their mettle as hunters. Combining action RPG elements with heavy crafting mechanics, the game set the standard for the series' trademark cooperative multiplayer hunts. Monster Hunter Freedom marked the beginning of a franchise that would become a behemoth on the PSP and beyond.
- Released: 2005
- Developer: Capcom Production Studio 1
- Genres (Video game): Role-playing (RPG), Strategy
Hidden gem?Buy at
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- Square Enix
Set in the kingdom of Ivalice during a period of war, The War of the Lions redefined strategy RPGs on the PSP with its intricate plot, unforgettable characters, and complex tactical battles. The game's turn-based tactical gameplay is complemented by job-based character development and branching storylines. This Final Fantasy iteration garnered widespread acclaim and influenced future strategy RPGs on the platform.
- Released: 2007
- Developer: Tose
- Genres (Video game): Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Strategy, Turn-based strategy (TBS), Tactical
Hidden gem?Buy at
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