The PlayStation Portable (PSP) was a revolutionary handheld console that brought console-quality gaming experiences to the palm of players’ hands. Released in 2004, the PSP was a game-changer for portable gaming, offering impressive graphics and expansive gameplay that had never before been possible on a handheld device. Although the PSP is no longer in production, its legacy lives on through the memorable games that were released for the system. Titles like Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, God of War: Chains of Olympus, and Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories helped define the PSP and set the standard for handheld gaming.
One of the standout PSP games is Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. As a prequel to the beloved Final Fantasy VII, Crisis Core delved deeper into the story of Zack Fair, a character central to the events of the original game. The game featured real-time sukaspin combat, stunning visuals, and a powerful narrative that expanded on the Final Fantasy VII universe. Crisis Core was a critical success, offering both longtime fans and newcomers a chance to experience a compelling RPG on the go. The game’s ability to deliver a console-quality experience in a handheld format showcased the PSP’s potential as a platform for deep, story-driven games.
Another standout PSP title was God of War: Chains of Olympus. This game brought the brutal combat and epic scale of the God of War franchise to the handheld console. Set between the events of the first two games in the series, Chains of Olympus followed Kratos as he battled gods and monsters in Greek mythology. Despite the PSP’s hardware limitations, Chains of Olympus delivered a visually stunning experience with fast-paced action, memorable boss battles, and a deep story. The game proved that handheld consoles could provide an experience comparable to their home console counterparts, offering players a chance to experience the God of War series on the go.
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories was another flagship title for the PSP, delivering the open-world chaos of the Grand Theft Auto series in a portable format. Set in Liberty City, the game followed Toni Cipriani, a member of the Leone crime family, as he navigated the city’s underworld. Liberty City Stories retained all the key elements of the GTA experience—driving, shooting, and exploring a vast city—while introducing new missions and activities tailored to the PSP. The game’s success on the handheld console demonstrated the potential for open-world games on portable devices and helped cement the PSP’s reputation as a powerful gaming platform.
The PSP’s library of games helped define the handheld gaming experience, offering players a chance to enjoy console-quality titles on the go. From the rich narrative of Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII to the action-packed God of War: Chains of Olympus and the open-world chaos of Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, the PSP provided a gaming experience that rivaled its home console counterparts. These games, along with many others, showcased the potential of portable gaming and remain fondly remembered by fans today.