When Sony introduced the PlayStation Portable, there was skepticism about whether a handheld device could offer true console-level experiences. But the best PSP games quickly silenced critics by delivering titles that slot were not only visually impressive but also packed with rich gameplay and storytelling depth.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker is one such title that exemplified this leap in portable gaming. With its robust mission-based structure, impressive visuals, and meaningful narrative, it stood shoulder-to-shoulder with its console counterparts. The game proved that stealth mechanics and complex storytelling didn’t need to be watered down for mobile play.

Similarly, Resistance: Retribution and Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow demonstrated the PSP’s strength in handling intense, fast-paced action. These games boasted smooth controls, responsive combat, and memorable set pieces — all on a screen small enough to fit in your pocket. Even today, they stand as reminders of what portable gaming was capable of in the 2000s.

The legacy of the best PSP games is that they treated players with respect — never assuming that handheld meant “less.” They delivered complete, robust experiences that matched, and sometimes surpassed, what was available on full-size consoles at the time.