Before the Switch and Steam Deck brought console-quality gaming to your backpack, the PSP was already setting that standard. Launched in 2004, the PlayStation Portable was Sony’s ambitious answer to mobile gaming—and it changed the rules overnight. Suddenly, players tunas4d  could enjoy cinematic storytelling, 3D graphics, and complex gameplay mechanics on a sleek, pocket-sized device. PSP games weren’t just good for handheld—they were good, period.

What separated the PSP from other devices at the time was its multimedia capability combined with serious gaming clout. You could watch movies, browse the web, and then dive into Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror or Medal of Honor: Heroes without missing a beat. This all-in-one entertainment approach was ahead of its time and foreshadowed the hybrid appeal that modern handhelds would later capitalize on.

The system’s library was just as ambitious. From rhythm-based titles like Patapon to massive RPGs like Star Ocean: Second Evolution, the PSP offered a diversity that rivaled home consoles. It also served as a platform for experimental titles that wouldn’t have found a home elsewhere. Developers saw the PSP as a creative playground, and that boldness resulted in some of the best games Sony has ever published for a handheld.

Today, we see its influence everywhere—from modern PlayStation cross-play features to mobile-first console experiences. The PSP didn’t just join the handheld race—it changed the race entirely. And the mark it left makes many of its titles essential playing for anyone who wants to understand the full picture of gaming innovation.