When the PSP was first announced, many were skeptical that a handheld console could provide experiences on par with home systems. However, Sony Bonus new member 100 delivered—and then some. Throughout its life, the PSP astonished players with games that didn’t feel like mobile spin-offs but like fully realized, console-level adventures.
God of War: Chains of Olympus is one of the most cited examples of this. With brutal combat, cinematic cutscenes, and a strong narrative, it felt like a full-fledged God of War title shrunken down without compromise. The graphics, controls, and pacing were all fine-tuned to give players the same intensity they expected from the main series.
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker took it even further, introducing mission-based gameplay that would go on to influence Metal Gear Solid V. It wasn’t just a portable entry—it was a core part of the Metal Gear storyline. The fact that players could experience this kind of depth on a handheld was a major leap forward for gaming at the time.
These games helped cement the idea that PSP wasn’t a sidekick to the PlayStation brand—it was a vital part of it. The best PSP games proved that great gameplay and storytelling didn’t need to be tethered to a TV screen.
