Every entertainment industry experiences growth and change, but it’s remarkable how video games have evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry that’s able to give the film and television industries a run for their money. There are plenty of important players in the video game industry, but for decades, Sony and their PlayStation consoles have helped push the medium forward in significant ways.
Sony continues to hold an enviable position in the console market, but there was also a time where they made a go for handhelds with their PSP and PS Vita. These handhelds remain fascinating relics of their time, and while many of their games have ended up on more popular services, there are still certain PSP games that remain tied to the niche handheld.
10 Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Functions As A Pivotal Prequel To The Classic Game
The Final Fantasy series remains a trademark of PlayStation consoles and there’s still lots of debate over whether Final Fantasy VII is the series’ apex. Square has repeatedly returned to Final Fantasy VII’s universe, most recently with a massive remake/reimagining, but this was happening much earlier on the PSP. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is a prequel to the original game that makes Zack Fair the protagonist. Crisis Core is a fascinating extension to Final Fantasy VII that overlaps with the original in ways that are genuinely exciting rather than manipulative or pandering.
9 The 3rd Birthday Brings Back Aya Brea For A Mature RPG-Shooter Hybrid
Square Enix has built their reputation off of the legendary Final Fantasy series, but some of their most interesting games are their titles that don’t meet the same universal acclaim. Parasite Eve and its sequel are moody PlayStation titles where Square tried their hand at survival horror and shooter mechanics with their usual RPG flair. The 3rd Birthday is the final Parasite Eve game, but it comes over a decade after its predecessor. Audiences are still hungry for more of Aya Brea's adventures, which makes it almost insulting that this one entry in the series is still unavailable to most people.
8 Ape Quest Brings Back The Ape Escape Series As A Quirky RPG
The Ape Escape games play an important role in the PlayStation’s history with how they helped make analog sticks the norm for the console. The core Ape Escape series has faded into obscurity, but the PSP briefly became a home for the misplaced monkeys, whether through the Ape Escape Academy mini-game collections or more ambitious spin-offs.
Ape Quest turns the adorable puzzle-platformer into a surprisingly deep RPG. Ape Quest feels like it could have been the new direction that Ape Escape continues down, but the title’s exclusivity to the PSP likely dashed these hopes.
7 Mega Man Powered Up Is An Incredible Remake Of The Original That Goes Above And Beyond
It’s common practice for retro video games to receive modern remasters, and one of the PSP’s biggest uses was to feature handheld adaptations of classic PlayStation and PlayStation 2 titles. There are countless re-releases for the Mega Man games, but the PSP’s Mega Man Powered Up rebuilds the original title from the ground up. Not only does Mega Man Powered Up boast an adorable art style, but it’s full of extra perks like the ability to play through the game as any Robot Master. There were plans for more Mega Man Powered Up titles that unfortunately didn’t come to pass.
6 Metal Gear Acid And Its Sequel Turn The PlayStation Stealth Classic Into A Card Fight
The Metal Gear Solid series' influence on Sony consoles is undeniable, and they've used their handhelds to push the franchise in new directions. There are revolutionary Metal Gear Solid entries on the PS Vita that have made their way onto home consoles, but the same treatment hasn't happened with the PSP's considerably more niche efforts, Metal Gear Acid and its sequel. An acronym for Active Command Intelligence Duel, the spin-off combines Metal Gear Solid's stealth and tactical gameplay with the mechanics of a turn-based card game RPG. It's something that any Metal Gear Solid or turn-based RPG fan should experience.
5 Daxter Splits Up The Beloved Platforming Duo And Finds Big Success
Naughty Dog is a crucial developer that's behind some of the biggest titles to grace Sony's consoles. Naughty Dog's contributions with Crash Bandicoot and Uncharted cannot be overstated, but their platformer series, Jak and Daxter, still receives lots of love.
The Jak and Daxter series might not be done for good, but the PSP tried to do something interesting by splitting up the duo and giving Daxter his own solo adventure. It's a risk that pays off, but the spin-off series hasn't been able to properly thrive due to it being stranded as a PSP exclusive.
4 MediEvil: Resurrection Gives The 1998 Classic A Much-Needed Facelift
The MediEvil series is one of the quirkier contributions to come around for the PlayStation, and it represents an important push towards more creative narratives. Sir Daniel Fortesque is a wonderfully unique hero, but the original games are very much products of their time. A fancy PlayStation 4 remake of MediEvil has recently been released, but in 2005, the PSP put together MediEvil: Resurrection, a handheld reimagining of the first game in the series. MediEvil: Resurrection may seem less essential due to the recent MediEvil releases, but there’s still a lot of passion and extra content that’s in this package.
3 Monster Hunter Freedom And Its Sequel Bring Gigantic Games To The Handheld World
Capcom’s Monster Hunter series has always been a big draw in Japan, but it’s taken a long time for the franchise to find its feet elsewhere. Now there’s even a feature film adaptation that’s come out. The PSP marks a more basic time for the series and the advent of handheld versions of the classic games was a huge deal. Monster Hunter Freedom is a remastered version of the series’ first two games, with an emphasis on Monster Hunter G. Its follow-up tackles the PlayStation 2’s Monster Hunter 2, but makes it it's own rather than being just a port.
2 Phantasy Star Portable And Its Sequel Bring The Grandiose MMORPG To Handhelds
Sega’s Phantasy Star RPG series hit the scene as a satisfying alternative to Final Fantasy, but the franchise slowly turned towards the MMORPG genre, where it’s been able to truly find its voice. There have been multiple ports of Phantasy Star Online and Universe that try to bring the sprawling experience to new audiences. Rather than direct ports, the PSP develops its own Phantasy Star extension with Phantasy Star Portable and its sequel. The games are set after the conclusion of Phantasy Star Universe, and it’s remarkable how much these games cram into Sony’s portable machine.
1 Patapon 3 Is A Creative Rhythm Masterpiece That Surpasses Its Predecessors
For the longest time, it was assumed that rhythm games could only correspond to titles about music, but there have been some inventive ways to combine rhythm game mechanics with completely different genres. Patapon is a rhythm-based series that combines the mechanic with an action-adventure story that makes perfect use of the PSP's capabilities. The first two Patapon games have made their way over to home PlayStation consoles, but 2011's Patapon 3 is still stranded on the PlayStation Portable. It's an absolute shame since Patapon 3 only continues the series' magic and is the furthest thing from a disappointing sequel.