Essential Games: PSP

Top games you need to own!

The PSP gets a bit of a bad rap sometimes. Unfortunately the system is well known for average ports and homebrew more than it is for quality games. However, this isn’t really fair on the wee system - it’s actually got some killer games. You just have to wade through some very average titles before you find the gems that make the system worth owning (like any system really). Here are ten titles that NZGamer recommends to dust off your PSP and round out your collection.

Lumines

The Gameboy had Tetris as its killer title, the PSP has Lumines. Updating the age old ‘falling brick’ concept by adding in crazy flashing lights and funky music may sound lame, but here it really works. Of course the concept is slightly remixed too - lines don’t clear as you drop blocks; instead a timeline crosses the screen clearing piles of matching blocks. A quick timeline means blocks have more time to pile up, whereas a slower tempo means you have to be very cautious but have a chance to rack up some huge combos.

It’s hard not to be completely caught up in this game. Because the game changes tracks, speed and visuals each stage, it feels like a journey through a Tron-like world mixed with Daft Punk.

Lumines II is out but I feel the sequel loses the original's spark.

Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles

One of the best platformers on the PSP is a remake of one of the most highly praised yet underplayed Castlevania games, Dracula X. With its stylish redone visuals, brilliant audio and challenging levels, Dracula X succeeds on every level. As is common with Castlevania, the game is very atmospheric and provides a good challenge to fans of old school style platform romps.

Oh, and did I mention that you can also unlock another fan favourite, Symphony of the Night, to play on here? You know, just in case you needed more reasons to purchase this game.

Sega Rally

Normally I think that portable systems should play to their strengths. Racing games are really the domain of bigger consoles. Well that was before Sega Rally - this game redefined for me what was possible on a handheld console. If the graphics don’t blow you away, the sheer speed of the races will. The handling is just what I would expect from Sega Rally and the game is just simply a blast to play. Like any good handheld game, this is great for a quick blast or to sit down and race away an evening.

Final Fantasy Tactics

Now here is a genre that is well suited to the PSP. Turn-based combat and building up your characters is a great way to distract you from a big train or plane journey – or to unpause in the adverts. It’s a port of an older game now and at times FF Tactics shows its age compared to newer players, but the sheer charm of the game guarantees that it has stood the test of time.

Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core

There isn’t too much competition in the JRPG genre on the PSP at the moment, so Crisis Core is an easy pick. Good thing then that Square have done it again and pushed the system's limits to create a quality game designed ground up for the PSP. It may be a bit of an oddity with its quirky fighting scheme, but Crisis Core is more than entertaining. Like many FF games, it’s damned addictive!

Silent Hill Origins

Thank goodness that the PSP has a backlit screen, as here is one title that needs to be played in the dark. A new chapter in the Silent Hill saga is unmasked with this game giving fans of the series further clues to the mysteries of the township. Atmosphere is rife here - make sure you are playing with a good set of headphones…And a torch, you know, just in case…

Every Extend Extra

Winning a game by blowing yourself up may seem like a weird premise – and that would be because it is. EEE is a completely mental game; you have to avoid enemies and then blow yourself up when you are in a position to do maximum damage. Add neon visuals and a pumping soundtrack and you have a fiendish little game guaranteed to quicken your pulse. Not quite a shoot ‘em up, but will appeal to shmup fans all the same. Headphones are a must.

Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness

Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness is an enhanced port of the PlayStation 2 classic. Developers Nippon Ichi Software changed a number of things to make it more suited to the PSP, such as the screen size - the original 4:3 has been stretched to full 16:9. Other changes include a re-recording of Etna’s dialog, updated to the current voice actress, Michelle Ruff, who did the voice in Disgaea 2, the anime and upcoming Disgaea 3 on PlayStation 3. In addition to these updates, Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness adds new bosses and levels on top of a game that already had fifty-plus hours of play time on PS2. Disgaea’s charm lies with the colourful characters such as Mid-Boss, Laharl, Etna and Flonne. And it has some hilarious dialog, such as Flonne & Etna's “Well, excuse us for being flat!”

God of War

Smashing its way onto the PSP, God of War is another game that redefines how we think of portables. Anything but a dumbed down PS2 game, Chains of Olympus is at least as good as its big brother PS2 games. Featuring epic gameplay and graphics so good you’ll be checking you are actually playing a portable, this little gem demands a place in your collection.

LocoRoco

You can’t help but love LocoRoco. With its too cute graphics, yet devilish gameplay, this is one of those games that’s too easy to pick up but near impossible to put down. Playing as a blob, you tilt the levels with the shoulder buttons to collect as many items as you can before heading to the exit. Along with Lumines, this is a system seller. Don’t let first impressions fool you.

Honourable mentions:

Tekken
Crush
Exit

» Return to Top