The PlayStation Portable (PSP) might not have reached the mainstream popularity of some other bayitoto handheld consoles, but it certainly left an indelible mark on the gaming world. Released in 2004, the PSP brought console-quality gaming experiences to the palm of your hand, with a rich library of games that spanned genres and pushed the boundaries of portable gaming. Despite the PSP’s relatively short lifespan, it produced a series of games that remain beloved by fans today. Here are some of the standout PSP games that defined the platform and made it one of the most powerful handheld consoles ever made.

One of the most iconic and influential titles for the PSP is Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories. Building on the formula of the main GTA series, Liberty City Stories allowed players to explore the open world of Liberty City while following the story of Toni Cipriani, a character who would later appear in GTA III. The game maintained the series’ signature gameplay mechanics—missions, car chases, and chaotic crime—but on a smaller, portable scale. The game’s vast world, engaging storyline, and the ability to wreak havoc at any moment made it one of the most celebrated PSP titles and a prime example of how a full-fledged console experience could be successfully adapted for a handheld device.

Another standout is Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions, a tactical RPG that remains one of the best strategy games ever released on a handheld console. A re-release of the original Final Fantasy Tactics, the game introduced new features such as an updated translation, additional cutscenes, and multiplayer modes. Set in the same world as Final Fantasy XII, War of the Lions follows a group of warriors and political players caught in the throes of war. The game’s deep combat system, engaging story, and the ability to customize characters and classes made it a must-have for any RPG fan. It remains a shining example of how strategy games can thrive on portable platforms.

For fans of action games, God of War: Chains of Olympus was a groundbreaking title that brought the epic God of War series to the PSP in spectacular fashion. Serving as a prequel to the main series, Chains of Olympus follows Kratos as he battles gods and monsters from Greek mythology in a bid to save the world. The game’s action-packed combat, epic boss battles, and beautiful visuals helped prove that the PSP was capable of delivering console-level experiences. The game’s narrative, which explores Kratos’ past and the origins of his rage, added emotional depth to the action-packed gameplay, making it one of the most beloved games in the God of War franchise.

The Monster Hunter series was another major success on the PSP, and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is one of the best entries in the series. The game revolves around hunting massive monsters in a fantastical world, gathering resources, and crafting new gear to take on even bigger creatures. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite was a deep, rewarding experience that encouraged players to team up with others and work together to defeat powerful foes. The game’s expansive world, satisfying progression system, and cooperative multiplayer mode made it a standout title on the PSP and helped build the Monster Hunter series into the global phenomenon it is today.