While major franchises like God of War and Metal Gear Solid stole most of the spotlight, the PSP’s library also featured a treasure trove of hidden gems that often went overlooked. These lesser-known PSP games didn’t SAJI TOTO receive the marketing budgets or press coverage of AAA releases, but many of them stood toe-to-toe with the best games of their time in creativity and design. As retro gaming surges in popularity, it’s the perfect moment to revisit these underrated titles.
Take Jeanne d’Arc, for instance—a tactical RPG with an alternate history twist and a deep combat system. It featured beautiful anime-style visuals and a compelling story, yet it remained in the shadows of more mainstream releases. Similarly, Pangya: Fantasy Golf combined arcade mechanics with RPG elements in a way that was surprisingly addictive. These kinds of PSP games offered experiences that were fresh, charming, and mechanically sound, even if they flew under the radar.
Part of what made these games so special was how they used the PSP’s capabilities in unique ways. Many employed clever control schemes, distinct visual styles, or soundtracks that gave them a unique identity. While the best games on PlayStation home consoles were often large in scale and scope, these handheld titles thrived in more experimental and niche genres, giving players something genuinely different.
Now that PSP emulation and remasters are more accessible, these forgotten gems are beginning to find new audiences. Fans of PlayStation games looking to explore lesser-known titles should dig into the PSP library—it’s a goldmine of creativity that helped make the handheld scene far more innovative than many remember.