When the PSP launched, the idea of playing high-quality 3D games on a handheld seemed almost too good to be true. Nintendo had long dominated the portable market with simpler, more cartoonish games, but Sony pro788 entered the scene with a vision that handheld gaming could rival the depth and fidelity of home consoles. The result was a powerful machine that introduced players to some of the best games ever released on a portable system.

The PSP’s greatest strength was its ability to support a wide variety of game genres, from cinematic action titles to innovative indie experiences. Games like Daxter and Resistance: Retribution showed that even spin-offs could become standout experiences when given the right attention and polish. Meanwhile, franchises like Final Fantasy found a second home on the PSP, with titles like Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII delivering emotional depth and engaging gameplay that rivaled console counterparts.

What set PSP games apart wasn’t just the visuals or mechanics, but the sheer ambition behind them. Developers treated the platform as more than a side project, creating original entries that expanded their universes and experimented with new ideas. Persona 3 Portable, for example, reimagined the original game with fresh mechanics and made it more accessible to a new audience, cementing the PSP’s role in growing the popularity of Japanese RPGs outside of Japan.

Today, the influence of the PSP can still be seen in modern portable gaming. From the Nintendo Switch to the Steam Deck, the idea that handhelds can deliver the best games without compromise owes much to what the PSP pioneered. Though its time in the spotlight has passed, its legacy lives on through the many memorable games it gave to players around the world.