The PSP might be a relic of the past in the age of smartphones and hybrid consoles, but many of its games remain as fun, polished, and innovative as anything being released today. Some of the best PSP games slipped under the radar ijen77 during the system’s active years, overshadowed by bigger console releases or regional exclusivity. But these titles still have a loyal following and deserve a second chance on modern platforms — perhaps even a remaster or full remake.
One of these hidden gems is Resistance: Retribution, a third-person shooter set in the same universe as the console series. The game was a technical marvel for its time, featuring crisp visuals, responsive controls, and a surprisingly strong narrative for a handheld shooter. It captured the gritty sci-fi horror of the Resistance franchise while optimizing everything for handheld play. For many fans, it’s still one of the best PSP games in the action genre.
Another title worth revisiting is Valhalla Knights, a customizable RPG with deep dungeon-crawling mechanics and real-time combat. While the game never received the acclaim of other RPGs on the platform, it offered something different — a hardcore grind that appealed to fans of deep progression and character builds. Games like this were ahead of their time, embracing mechanics now common in mobile and indie RPGs.
Then there’s SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs: Fireteam Bravo 2, a tactical shooter with online multiplayer capabilities that were nearly unheard of on handhelds in the mid-2000s. With mission-based gameplay, customizable loadouts, and intelligent AI, it gave players a way to experience military strategy and realism on the go. It was a strong representative of how far PSP games pushed boundaries, especially for multiplayer experiences.
With the growing interest in emulation, remakes, and digital preservation, now is the perfect time for Sony to consider bringing some of these forgotten greats back to life. Whether through remasters, compilations, or retro collections on PlayStation Plus, these classic PSP games deserve more than just nostalgia — they deserve another moment in the spotlight.