The PlayStation Portable (PSP) may be an older handheld console, but its impressive library of games is still worth exploring in 2026. Almost every type of gamer can find something on the PSP, whether they’re into open-world adventures, action games, racing, fighting, RPGs or sports titles.

The PSP still has many great games remembered for their great gameplay, memorable characters, engaging stories and impressive visuals. Either way, these are the 20 best PSP games you should play in 2026 when you're discovering the PSP for the first time or revisiting some old favourites.

1. Grand Theft Auto Vise City Stories

Grand Theft Auto: Vise City Stories is one of the most popular PSP open world games. The game takes place in the colourful city of Vise City, where Victor Vance finds himself caught up in the dangerous world of crime, business and rival gangs.

The game lets players explore the city, drive various vehicles, complete missions and discover side activities. The story is interesting, and the open world gameplay makes this a must play PSP title.

Genre: Action, Openworld
Why Play It: Open world gameplay, fun missions, vehicles and memorable Vise City setting.

Grab Grand Theft Auto: Vise City Stories

2. God of War: Chains of Olympus

God of War: Ghost of Sparta is one of the most technically impressive action games on the PSP. Players control Kratos as he fights mythical creatures, powerful enemies and tough bosses.

Fast combat. Powerful weapons. Cinematic moments and story that adds more depth to Kratos’ journey.

Genre: Action, Adventure
Why Play It: Great combat, awesome graphics and epic boss fights.

👉 Download God of War: Ghost of Sparta

3. God of War - Chains of Olympus

Chains of Olympus is another great PSP game in the God of War series, and it delivers a thrilling action-adventure experience.

The game features Greek mythology, brutal combat, challenging enemies, puzzles and spectacular environments. Still one of the must have action games for the PSP.

Genre: Action, Adventure
Why Play It: Fast-paced combat, great presentation and classic God of War gameplay.

👉 Purchase God of War: Chains of Olympus 👈

4. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (PSP, PS2)

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories brings the classic GTA gameplay experience to the PSP, with a big city, lots of missions, vehicles, weapons, and characters.

Players also get to experience a thrilling criminal story as they explore Liberty City. It gives a lot of freedom and is still a great pick for fans of open world games.

Genre: Action, Open World
Why Play It: Classic GTA gameplay and a large open world to explore.

👉 Grab GTA: Liberty City Stories

5. Tekken 6

If you like fighting games, Tekken 6 is one of the best options on PSP. The game features a large cast of fighters, various game modes and the fast-paced combat that made the Tekken series famous.

The PSP version offers a surprisingly complete fighting experience and loads of replay value.

Genre: Fight
Why Play It: Fantastic character selection, responsive combat and exciting battles.

👉 Get your copy of Tekken 6

6. Need for Speed: Most Wanted 5-1-0

Need for Speed: Most Wanted 5-1-0 puts high-speed street racing and police chases on the PSP.

The players participate in different races trying to escape aggressive police chases. The fast gameplay makes it a good choice for racing fans.

Genre: Racing
Why Play It: Fast paced races, police chases and classic arcade style racing.

👉 Download Need for Speed: Most Wanted 5-1-0

7. Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition

Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition is a great street racing game featuring fast cars, detailed environments, and extensive vehicle customisation.

Race through the streets of the city, upgrade and customise your vehicles. Open-world racing style gives the game plenty of replay value.

Genre: Racing, Open World
Why you should play: Customisation galore, thrilling races and fast-paced gameplay.

👉Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition

8. Legends of Burnout

If you like arcade racing and spectacular crashes, Burnout Legends is perfect for you.

Rather than realistic driving, the game emphasises speed, aggressive racing, dangerous driving, and spectacular crashes. The short, intense races also make it ideal for short gaming sessions.

Genre: Racing, Aracade
Why Play It: Fast-paced gameplay, crashes, thrilling races.

👉 Burnout Legends Download

9. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (PSP)

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite is one of the most detailed and addictive titles in the PSP library.

Players hunt powerful monsters, collect materials, craft better equipment, and get stronger over time. The progression system offers a huge amount of content, and makes every successful hunt feel rewarding.

Genre: Action Role-Playing
Why Play It: Deep progression, tough monsters and huge replay value.

👉 Download Monster Hunter Freedom Unite

10. Portable Persona 3

Persona 3 Portable mixes social simulation and dungeon crawling with classic RPG gameplay.

The game is remembered for its memorable characters, emotional story, turn-based battles and character-development systems. This is a great choice for those looking for a story heavy PSP experience.

Type: RPG
Why Play It: Deep characters, gripping story, and great RPG mechanics.

👉 Download Persona 3 Portable 🌟

11. Metal Gear Solid – Peace Walker

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker provides a surprisingly deep stealth experience on the PSP.

Players can complete missions using stealth, weapons, equipment, or different strategies. There are also progression systems that make the game feel much larger than a typical handheld title.

Genre: Action, Stealth
Why play it: Great stealth, missions and strategic game play.

👉 Download Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

12. Daxter (Daxter)

Daxter offers a more colourful and lighter experience than many of the action-heavy PSP games.

The game contains platforming, exploration, humour, puzzles and a variety of environments. Its accessible gameplay makes it a great choice for players of different ages.

Genre: Platforming, Adventure
Why Play It: Fun platforming, charming characters and entertaining gameplay.

👉 Download Daxter

13. Ratchet & Clank – Size Matters

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters successfully translates the popular action-platforming series to the PSP.

Players can explore different environments, fight enemies, collect weapons, solve puzzles and enjoy the series' trademark humour.

Genre: Action Platformer
Why Play It: Fun platforming, fun weapons, interesting levels.

👉 Get Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters

14. WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2011

WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 remains a fun title for wrestling fans on the PSP.

The game comes with a variety of wrestling matches, a big roster, customisation options, and a lot of replay value. It will be a particular treat for fans of classic WWE games.

Genre: Wrestling, Sports
Why Play It: Lots of match types, customisation, and classic WWE gameplay.

Download WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2011

15. Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai 2

Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai 2 is a fast fighting game with lots of familiar characters and powerful special moves.

The fights are fast and furious and the basic controls make it easy to get into the action.

Genre: Combat
Why Play It: Quick combat, special attacks, and classic Dragon Ball action.

👉 Download Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai 2

16. Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact

Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact provides a different taste of fighting experience as it is more of large-scale battles.

Players can fight groups of enemies with powerful ninja techniques and abilities based on the Naruto series.

Genre: Fighting, Action
Why you should play it: Big battles, fun abilities, Naruto-themed gameplay.

👉Download Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact

17. Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lions’ War

Strategy game fans should check out Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions, a great PSP game.

The game is based around tactical battles, where positioning, character skills, jobs and strategic planning are vital. Fans of strategy RPGs will be rewarded by its complex systems.

Genre: Tactical Role-Playing Game
Why Play: Deep strategy, character customisation, and a compelling story.

👉 Download Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

18. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep

Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep mixes action RPG gameplay with the worlds and characters of Disney and Square Enix.

There are three playable characters in the game, each with their own story and progression. Its colourful worlds and action-packed combat make it one of the most memorable RPGs on the PSP.

Genre: RPG Action
Why Play It: Great combat, memorable characters and multiple storylines.

👉 Get Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep

19. Tekken: Dark Resurrection

Another great PSP fighting game is Tekken: Dark Resurrection.

It has fluid combat, a solid roster of fighters and lots of fights for those who like competitive fighting games. The portable form is especially helpful for quick matches.

Genre: Fighting
Why Play It: Smooth gameplay, Exciting fighting, Diverse fighters.

👉 Grab Tekken: Dark Resurrection

20. Little big planet

LittleBigPlanet is one of the more creative games to hit the PSP. It mixes platforming, puzzles, exploration and creativity instead of straight up combat.

It’s a different art style and it’s a cute game to play. It’s a refreshing choice if you want something other than a standard action or racing game.

Genre: Puzzle, Platformer
Why You Should Play It: Inventive play, whimsical style and imaginative level design.

👉Download LittleBigPlanet 2

Conclusion

While the PSP is an older handheld console, its game library is still filled with great experiences in 2026. There’s a tonne of games worth coming back to, from open world adventures to racing games, fighting games, RPGs, stealth and platformers.

Games like Grand Theft Auto: Vise City Stories, God of War: Ghost of Sparta, Tekken 6, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, Persona 3 Portable and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker are excellent entry points for anyone looking to explore the PSP library.

If you are getting back into PSP gaming, begin with games that match your favourite genre and work through the list. You can still have a lot of fun with these classic handheld games.