What's your PSP top 5?

by Ed Stasick { Jul 24th 2006 at 8:03PM }

PSP

Well, the mighty PSP is really coming into its own as a great portable gaming platform. It was a long, tough road, fanboys, but we made it and the AAA titles look to continue for sometime (with this weeks release of Tekken being the latest apparent PSP masterpiece).

Which brings up a fun little question: What are the top 5 PSP games currently? It's a subjective question to be sure, but you know you won't feel complete without adding your own two-cents. We'll get the ball rolling with our top 5:

PSP Fanboy's Top 5 Faves (or Ed's anyways)

Metal Gear Acid 2 - turn-based, tactical Snake, baby!
Star Wars: Battlefront 2 - it's Star Wars! Sue me.
Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade - my first PSP experience. It's here for nostalgia's stake.
Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror - as close to a great action game as we can expect.
Tomb Raider: Legend - classic Lara Croft in the palm of my hand.

Now it's your turn to add yours to the comments below. Make sure you tell us the name of the game and why it is one of your all-time PSP faves.

Tags: PSP Top 5, PspTop5

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Andrew Yoon @ Jul 24th 2006 8:45PM

Yeah, those Top 5 represent YOUR tastes, more than mine. If I did this article, it would look more like this:

1. Lumines (should be pretty obvious from my posts that I think this is the best game on the PSP by far!)
2. Wipeout Pure (downloadable levels, fantastic graphics and controls make this the best of the upcoming greatest hits games.)
3. Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (GTA on a handheld never fails to impress me.)
4. Daxter (why other PSP games don't have these graphics and these lack of loading screens baffles me.)
5. Loco Roco (you should also tell that I'm in love with this game. Don't understand why the US version's taking so long...)

icemorebutts @ Jul 24th 2006 8:53PM

1. Ridge Racer
2. Lumines
3. GTA: LCS
4. WipeOut Pure
5. Untold Legends

#5 is only on there because I haven't played that many PSP games. That said the ones I do play I like considerably. Ridge Racer is, I think, the best racer I've ever played.

SpartanSam034 @ Jul 24th 2006 8:57PM

1. Lumines
2. Lumines
3. Lumines
4. Lumines
5. Lumines

Michael @ Jul 24th 2006 9:21PM

1) Lumines - brilliant soundtrack and addictive gameplay
2) GTA:LCS - Cant believe they stuffed this into PSP
3) Loco Roco - Stress-free gaming
4) Mercury - innovative and intriguing
5) Wipeout Pure - extended life through downloadables

Duscrom @ Jul 24th 2006 9:27PM

1. Valykare Profile: Lenneth
2. Lumines
3. Ridge Racer
4. Syphon Filter
5. Tekken
but since Tekken isn't out yet, I'll put Daxter on there.

sheamis @ Jul 24th 2006 9:32PM

1.Lumines-great music, puzzle action, and flashy lights....need i say more.
2.GTA: Liberty City Stories- I love GTA regardless, but haveing it portable is awsome, and it dont look too shabby niether.
3.Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth-It may just be another port but it looks damn sexy on my PSP.
4.Megaman Maverick Hunter X-Loved this game on original nintendo and love it on my PSP
5.Ape Escape: On the Loose-MONKIES!!

I could prolly add a few more but you only asked for five. plus these are ones strictly that I own theres a bunch more that I love that i dont have, but want.

john @ Jul 24th 2006 9:36PM

1. burnout legends.
2. wipeout pure
3. lumines
4. twisted metal
5. tony hawk

jay @ Jul 24th 2006 9:40PM

1.lumines
2.gta:LCS
3.HOMEBREW
4.HOMEBREW
5.HOMEBREW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

pixelator @ Jul 24th 2006 9:46PM

1). Burnout Legends - Unbelievably addicting crash-em-up classic with truly intense multiplayer (you're going to want to use the extent of that WLAN range to keep from getting into a brawl with your friends). I honestly like this better in its portable incarnation if only because it's so convenient to fire up with friends and the swappable cars make it even more competitive.

2). Me and my Katamari - I'd never played this on PS2, and I picked up the control scheme pretty quickly since I was a veteran BATTLEZONE player as a kid (the controls are eerily similar). Fun, insane, creative and pretty easy to pick up, play and get into. PSP needs many more games like this.

3). Ridge Racer(s) - Even though Burnout has the wild fun of crashing/damage, RR stands as one of the most gorgeous and intuitive PSP titles to date. It was awesome as a launch title and still gets used at parties and gatherings since so many people have it. It's easy to say 'Hey, let's go a round of RR'.

4). Puzzle Bobble - An underrated and overlooked gem, perhaps the easiest and most user-friendly of the PSP library. Nothing really original, it just works well on the PSP and delivers that 'pachinko on acid' feel the other iterations have offered.

5). GTA Liberty City Stories - Despite somewhat clunky controls and a sometimes dark, murky aesthetic, GTA is an amazing experience on a handheld. Multiplayer deathmatches keep me coming back when the missions get frustrating. Imperfect, but still amazing.

...I just never got into Lumines. It's pretty, sounds fantastic but the gameplay just feels unrewarding & bores me quickly. Untold Legends 1 & 2 get runner-up awards for being competent and funky hack/slash dungeon crawlers. I think those poor devs doing those games get very little credit for achieving what they did in the timeframes they were allotted.

Brian @ Jul 24th 2006 9:53PM

1. Lumines
2. X-Men Legends 2 (Dude, it's X-Men in a portable)
3. Mega Man: Powered Up
4. Daxter
5. Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror

Devon @ Jul 24th 2006 9:56PM

I can't believe you didn't list Daxter. That was the first PSP game that I had played that wasn't plagued with design sacrifices (i.e., long load times, awkward control of 3D movement, etc). My top 5:

1. Burnout
2. Daxter
3. Syphon Filter
4. Madden '06 (despite the mind-numbing load times)
5. Loco Roco demo (sad, but true... I can't wait for this game's release)

...and I'm either eagerly awaiting the release of the following, or waiting for a chance to pick up a copy: Tekken, NCAA '07, Madden '07, Ratchet

azusa- @ Jul 24th 2006 10:21PM

1. RIIIIIIIDGE RAAAACER! Can't beat it, it was pure joy.
2. Socom: Fire Team Bravo, for the insane online play.
3. Metal Gear Ac!d 2, for the mild mindf*ck that is MG.
4. Kingdom of Paradise, for beat 'em up rpg.
5. Gradius Collection, for taking the Vic Viper everywhere with me.

Honorable mention: Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max, did not make it to the top 5 because of a severe lack of players to play against.

Vagabond Artist @ Jul 24th 2006 10:40PM

1) Daxter
2) Tomb Raider
3) NCAA 07 (after playing this, I can't wait to see how good Madden is going to be this year)
4) Wipeout Pure
5) Ridge Racer

I can't express how awesome these games are.
They make the psp all it can be.

so based on all of your lists I need to buy syphon filter like.... yesterday.

Justice @ Jul 24th 2006 10:47PM

1. GTA LCS - gta on my psp is hours of fun
2. Burnout - slick, slick, slick
3. Monster Hunter Freedom - i like killing big monsters.
4. Star Wars Battlefront 2 - portable is a great factor
5. MLB 06 the show - i love sports games and this one is sweet.

i haven't played Lumines so i have to with all these great reviews.

Franky Digital @ Jul 24th 2006 11:03PM

1. Lumines - A hypnotizing and addictive puzzler that has birthed a whole line of sequels, ports and imitations. And one of the first truly unique games to the PSP.
2. Pursuit Force - A balls-to-the-wall action game that plays wonderfully, has a great variety of different play mechanics, and is an original work designed from the ground up on the PSP.
3. Ridge Racer - Continuing the tradition of Sony Ridge Racer launch titles, the PSP version is the most comprehensive package for the RR fan.
4. SOCOM: FTB - The first game to really exploit the infrastructure mode works beautifully, especially with the PSP headset.
5. Tales of Eternia - The only acceptable port to the system thus far, TOE is the best RPG on the system - even after VP:L's release. A great, memorable game perfectly suited to the handheld.

Patrickk @ Jul 24th 2006 11:16PM

my top 5 fav games should beee!

1.Socom Fireteam Bravo and soon to be the second one also, and its cuz socoms came a long way from socom to socom 3 to almost socom combined assault and its a great series
2.Untold legends cuz it reminds me off all my old pc games like warcraft warhammer and last but not least diablo
3.GTA:LCS also cuz of its amazing series and more to come!
4.LocoRoco is a really sweet game and really makes my stress go away when i kill the little critter
5.Starwars battlefront 2 who cAnnot love starwars its the most awsomest thingy ever

Evil_Genius @ Jul 25th 2006 2:09AM

So Far;

1)Syphon Filter, Fantastic shooter with so much Replayability and added bonus of online play!

2)Pursuit Force, A PSP games which was designed for the PSP(not some crummy port) which great graphics and great controls.

3)GTA Liberty Stories, Though I don't own it I have completed 15% and it is a pretty fantastic game! But dogged wome some annoying camera controls=(

4)Virtua Tennis, great game with lots or replayability too.

5)Burnout Legends, I purchased Burnout 3 and this was is way to similar.

I have only played other than the ones mentioned LOTR Tactics, Go Soduko (Don't ask why, TOny Hawks Underground 2 remixed (I have already played the original) and the Loco Roco demo (I am going to the try the full version before playing my thoughts).

I am going to purchase Daxter within the the next 2 weeks and possibly Tekken,Wipeout or Lumines so some of these would probably change my top five.

Paperclip1 @ Jul 25th 2006 2:17AM

1. Lumines
2. Monster Hunter: Freedom
3. Initial D: Street Stage

Only games I own, 'till I pick up Tekken later in the week.

daniel-kun @ Jul 25th 2006 2:28AM

Heya folks.
This place is quite crowded it seems :-)
There has been already said much, but here's my top...
top few.

1.) Burnout Legends
I actually don't like the crash-em-all-approach all too much, but Burnout Legends has a) superb graphics b) superb control and c) the special "something" that makes you love it. It's just lacking different car physics... every car just behaves the same. That's too 90's.
2.) SOCOM Fireteam Bravo
Well. It's like Counter-Strike on your handheld. Except that I hate CS. But SOCOM suffers from some of the CS problems, too. Especially the community: If you want your mother called a stupid bitch or need to upgrade your curseword-dictionary, you just need to play either CS or SOCOM. But if you play with the right people and don't read the built-in forums, it's hella great to yell orders like "Take that fucking bitchassnigger down, ASAP!" into your little, black virtual penis-enlargement tool, SOCOM is just great.
3.) Monster Hunter Freedom
Monster. Hunter. Portable. Pwnz ya.
4.) Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix
Being an ex-skater (work and psp is taking up too much of my time) I can't help myself but play Tony Hawk's. The controls fit very nicely into the portable and the graphics are decent, too. It has alot of content and isn't that easy to beat.
5.) Naruto - Narutimate Hero
I don't own this game myself but borrowed it from a friend for a while. Every time I was playing it on a party or when we went into a cocktail-bar, it immediately caught attention. It's so boom bam and kaboosh that you just have to love it.

Jason @ Jan 28th 2009 7:14AM

Not ordered by preference, of non-port games that are already released:

1) Metal Gear Acid 1/2
2) Me and My Katamari
3) Monster Hunter Freedom
4) Lumines
5) Loco Roco

Valk Profile Lenneth, Suikoden I&II, and Tales of Eternia don't make the list since they are pure ports. However, they are very much enjoyed. If NIS had gone through with Makai Wars that would probably be number one on the list.

Tiago @ Jul 25th 2006 6:56AM

1) Wipeout Pure (haven't finished all the classes in that darn long game Oo)
2) Ridge acer (Super gameplay = addictive)
3) Loco Roco (Do I need to say something about this one?)
4) Daxter (Where are the loading times)
5 GTA: LCS (I like the fact that they put this enormous game in a PSP,but the loading times are quite irritating)

xorzisten @ Jul 25th 2006 7:31AM

1. Loco Roco, its out in europe, and its my new darling.
2. WipeOut Pure, because its a pure experience.
3. Field Commander, because its such a great portable startegy game, much better than advanced wars in my humble opinion.
4. Lumines.
5. Legend of heroes, a tear of vermillion (which is a totally generic run of the mill sort of RPG, which i happen too enjoy)

Wolfrain @ Jul 25th 2006 9:06AM

Not in order

1, SOCOM US Navy Seals; Fire Team Bravo
2, Virtua Tennis: World Tour
3, Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror
4, Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
5, WipEout Pure

I have played the Locoroco demo but I have not purchased it (even though it has come out in UK)and I have not played Lumines or Burnout Legends even though I have 16 PSP games. The best games do seem to be 1st part except for a few exceptions.

Justin @ Jul 25th 2006 9:16AM

1. Lumines
2. X-Men Legends 2
3. MLB 2k6 (maybe the best game on the system)
4. Mega Man Powered Up
5. NBA Live 06

I've played a lot of PSP games. I can say that a successful PSP game means the following:

1. Quick Load Times
2. Easy and Accessible Save Points
3. Wi-Fi for Co-Op
4. Downloadable Content
5. Focus on Gameplay rather than graphics (ie the screen is too small to see any detail anyway)

Oh. I just described why DS games are successful... my bad.

crimson_penguin @ Jul 25th 2006 9:18AM

1. Daxter
2. Lumines
3. Gradius Collection
4. Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth
5. Loco Roco

Player1 @ Jul 25th 2006 10:37AM

1.Syphon Filter - It's a console quality shooter on a portable and actually controls well once you get the hang of it. The multiplayer is incredible. Would be nice if it had more maps though
2.SSX - It's just as fun as the console ones and actually looks better.
3.GTA - Amazing that this is on a portable, and looks better than the PS2. The multiplayer is awesome and makes for some funny deathmatches.
4.Lumines - You just need to play it.
5.Virtua Tennis - Totally faithful to the console versions and awesome. This is why I don't mind ports, hell, I want them. Too bad the 4 player ad-hoc seems to fail a lot.

I'm also looking forward to Power Stone Collection, Tekken, Loco Roco and Every Extend Extra.

Michael @ Jul 25th 2006 10:39AM

Agree with Justin's observation that quick load times are almost mandatory for being a successful PSP game. Games that can do that, and restart a level when you die/crash/lose makes a game that much more addictive. I've played too many games on PS2 and xb360 (such as PGR3) that require load times of even 10-15secs, which is too long for me, especially whne trying to get the first corner inch-perfect.
I'd like to try Daxter next since many people here have mentioned its zero-load times between levels.

locoroco @ Jul 25th 2006 10:43AM

As of yet/what I've heard:

1) LocoRoco- The best game ever; a semi-challenging side-scroller that implements a lot of Mario with a lot of fun. A big reccomendation for any PSP-owner.
2) Tekken Dark Resurrection- Tekken 5.2 is perhaps the best fighting game for PSP, and is destined to be as long as it survives. Being that I've played the PS2 game just once [and loved it], I figure that this will be a very good addition, as well, to my PSP collection.
3) Wipeout Pure- Being that it can download new tracks & vehicles, Wipeout Pure is a game full of enjoyment--it will keep you playing for hours and hours on end. It is seriously enjoyable and clearly one of the best racers for PSP.
4)Go! Sudoku- Even though this game has many glitches, when it doesn't, it is seriously a fun player. I enjoy Sudoku on paper a lot, so this game is really interesting as well.
5)NBA Live 06- I enjoy basketball alot--both playing and watching--so NBA Live was my first choice for PSP. I'm not one of those "PSP fanboys" who stocks up on Madden, NCAA Football, NBA Live, Virtua Tennis, and the whole sports collection for my PSP, though. NBA Live is an occasional player that I think is smart when it maximizes the PSP's capability.

jaychuck @ Jul 25th 2006 11:21AM

wait for later today when i say #1 = tekken...

otherwise my top 5 (or should i say top 2 - 6) psp titles are as follows:
1. Lumines
2. Syphon Filter
3. LocoRoco
4. Exit
5. Infected

Gonzo @ Jul 25th 2006 11:26AM

I don't think I'm adding anything new with my list but...

1. Loco Roco: I only have the 1 level demo but I can't imagine what they could possibly do to ruin the rest this game.
2. Burnout Legends: C'mon, it's Burnout but handheld, this should be on every list.
3. Lumines: I'm just a big fan of Tetsuya Mizuguchi. I love puzzles & Rez and this is their love child. Can't wait for Every Extend Extra.
4. X-Men L2: Yea, it's an exact translation of the home version but with this port, the control scheme works.
5. DBZ: Keep in mind, I haven't tried the new Tekken yet but I liked this portable fighter. It's certainly better than most of the PS2 DBZ games.

I wish I could've put Katamari and GTA (the ps2 versions are amongst my all time favorite games) on this list but I don't consider them successful ports mostly because of the control schemes. They both seemed like they were rushed to the shelves but had the potential to be as good as their home console parents. I know we could've waited but sometimes they can't wait to make a buck. I hear Daxter is really good too, I just haven't tried it yet.
And they call this machine dead.

apoc06 @ Jul 25th 2006 1:06PM

1. wipeout pure - which is better than its ps2 brethren
2. syphon filter - which is better than its ps2 brethren
3. street fighter alpha 3 - better than its ps1 version
4. lumines - good enough to be ported to ps2 and x360
5. GTA:LCS - good enough to be ported to ps2

honorable mention: metal gear ac!d2 and coded arms - if not for the whole lack of a second analog stick, i could see this being a solid franchise. theres serious money in a third party making a dual analog attachment!

I think its funny that at least 3 PSP series have been "up-ported" to the ps2/3 ....and they say we have no good games. =)

apoc06 @ Jul 25th 2006 1:36PM

i forgot about SSX!!!!!

THATs a great game. A lil more sensitive than the console versions, but it still holds its own.

Stephen @ Jul 25th 2006 2:26PM

1. GTA Liberty City Stories: Amazing accomplishment on a handheld system, even if it was missing a few things that the consoles had. Very fulfilling gameplay and storyline.
2. Daxter: Great platformer as fun as anything on a console. They figured out how the handle the control and camera issues perfectly.
3. Tiger Woods 06: Golf seems like the perfect sports game for a handheld. Took everything good about the first Tiger Woods for the PSP and made the loading times much shorter.
4. Ridge Racer: Terrific way to show off the PSP's capabilities, and easy to pick up and play.
5. Untold Legends: Not a lot of depth, but fun to play (especially if you were a Diablo fan).

I have to agree with those who weren't thrilled with Lumines. I play it for 10-15 minutes and then want to play something more substantial.

xtoph @ Jul 25th 2006 9:09PM

5. PoPoLoCrois (can't stop thinking about this game, it really got me for some reason)
4. Daxter (proves this is a portable PS2)
3. Loco Roco (imported English/Chinese version due to impatience -- awesome)
2. Hot Shots Golf (maxed nearly everything, never get tired of it)
1. Lumines (wish you could save and resume games)

...followed closely by both Metal Gear Acids, both Untold Legends, Exit, Wipeout, etc.

Psyched to pick up Valkyrie Profile later this week!

J37 @ Jul 26th 2006 9:31AM

1.X-men Legends II
2.Megaman Powered up
3.Tokobot
4.Reading Manga at work
5.The Steamboy Umd movie....I thought it was a game when I bought my psp...ugh.

Shane @ Jul 27th 2006 2:10AM

There are so many games to choose from.

1) Daxter - Graphics are unbelievable for a handheld and it is just plain fun.

2) Lumines - Just picked this up. Wished I had done so sooner.

3) Madden '06 - It is Madden in all of its glory, it just takes longer to load.

4) Grand Theft Auto - Amazing that they could fit all this. I love shooting off heads on the go.

5) Loco Roco - Pure Japanese goodness.

Frank Lewis @ Jul 28th 2006 9:45AM

1. Virtual Tennis
2. Fake throwing my PSP while playing my cousin Virtua Tennis
Pi. X-men

IceBurgh @ Jul 29th 2006 12:21PM

1 - Lumines: addictive as crack
2 - Wipeout Pure: a great hand held racer w/ lots of downloadable content
3 - Hot Shots Golf: a really fun golf game w/ lots of unlockables and things to do
4 - NFL Street: This one is under-rated because of the load times I think but I find myself playing this a lot. There are lots of different modes, you can unlock NFL players, level up your character and buy all kinds of different gear. It has a really good tutorial mode to teach you all the controls. And I really like the mini-games especially the "Kill the Carrier" mode which is pretty addictive. The only thing that is bad is the load times and lack of online multiplayer.
5 - Daxter: a good platformer with varied levels and amusing presentation

(Note GTA:LCS is good but for whatever reason I don't find myself playing it that often)

DataEat @ Jul 29th 2006 2:00PM

1. Lumines
2. Maverick Hunter X

3. Homebrew?

Marc @ Aug 10th 2006 12:21PM

1. Tekken: DR
2. Grand Theft Auto: LCS
3. Burnout Legends
4. Street Fighter Alpha 3
5. Twisted Metal

Justice @ Aug 12th 2006 2:25AM

Updated top 5

1. Monster Hunter Freedom - I can't put this damn game down.

2. Loco Roco demo - I am having trouble finding the elusive 20th loco roco but I will, I will....

3. GTA LCS - GTA is always a great game for the replay value. More fun to ride around and commit crime than do missions.

4. MLB 06 the Show - Great baseball.

5. World Series of poker - What can I say? It's better than betting real money online, and then I own all of my friends. all for under $18.

Still need to play Lumines.

Rex Longwind @ Aug 15th 2006 5:35PM

My PSP top 5 are as follows:

1) throwing a PSP at a brick wall.
2) using the PSP as a paper weight.
3) testing all those "these knives can cut anything" butcher blades on late night infomercials.
4) a balancing agent for my lopsided bed.
5) along with 2 PS2 controllers it makes a hell of a windchime.