While Sony’s PlayStation consoles are known for their blockbuster titles, the PlayStation Portable (PSP) also delivered some incredible gaming experiences that rivaled its home console counterparts. One of the standout titles for the PSP was God of War: Chains of Olympus. Released in 2008, this action-packed prequel to the God of War series brought Kratos’ brutal combat to the portable screen. Despite the limitations of the handheld platform, Chains of Olympus managed to replicate the franchise’s signature gameplay, intense battles, and epic scale. The game’s fluid combat system and engaging storyline made it one of the best handheld experiences at the time, demonstrating that the PSP could deliver console-quality games on the go.
Another unforgettable game for the PSP was Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. This prequel to one of the most iconic RPGs of all time, Crisis Core follows Zack Fair, a character that was introduced in Final Fantasy VII. The game offers a fresh perspective sukaspin on the Final Fantasy VII universe while introducing a real-time combat system that was new to the series. The emotional story of Zack’s journey, paired with the fast-paced combat and stunning visuals for a portable system, made Crisis Core one of the most memorable titles on the PSP. It was more than just an action RPG; it was a crucial piece of the Final Fantasy VII narrative puzzle, and it helped introduce a new generation of fans to the franchise.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories was another iconic PSP title that brought the open-world chaos of Grand Theft Auto to the handheld console. Set in the same universe as Grand Theft Auto III, Liberty City Stories offers players a chance to explore the criminal underworld of Liberty City while taking on various missions. The game successfully transferred the core elements of the GTA series—open-world exploration, engaging missions, and the ability to cause chaos in a city—onto the portable PSP platform. The controls were well adapted to the handheld, and the immersive world of Liberty City made Liberty City Stories an essential title for PSP owners.
These PSP games—God of War: Chains of Olympus, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories—are just a few examples of the incredible gaming experiences that the PSP provided. Despite being a portable console, the PSP offered high-quality titles that could rival the best console games, making it one of the most beloved handheld gaming systems of its time.