When most people talk about the best handheld games of all time, Nintendo tends to dominate the conversation. But those who owned a PSP know that Sony’s handheld was home to some incredibly underrated gems. These were titles that may have slipped under the radar at the time but have since earned cult status. Re-examining the PSP’s library reveals a wealth of creativity and depth, often forgotten in the mainstream conversation.

Games like Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together redefined strategy RPGs with complex branching narratives and deep tactical battles. bmw4d While it didn’t receive the same global fanfare as other titles, it was a favorite among genre purists. Killzone: Liberation, a top-down take on the popular shooter series, brought a fresh tactical twist to an action-heavy franchise. It offered tight controls and smart level design, all within the confines of a portable device.

One of the most overlooked titles on the PSP was The 3rd Birthday, a spiritual successor to the Parasite Eve series. Its mix of third-person action and sci-fi horror was ambitious, and while not universally loved, it showed that the PSP was a space where developers could experiment with bold ideas. Then there’s Half-Minute Hero, a frenetic RPG parody that squeezed humor, gameplay, and creativity into lightning-fast battles—all lasting under a minute.

As more players dive into emulation and retro collecting, PSP games are getting a much-deserved resurgence. Those who dig deeper than the biggest franchises will find some of the most innovative and rewarding games ever designed for handheld play. The best PSP games weren’t always the most famous—but they were often the most fearless.