PS Fanboy Best of 2007: Best Graphics

by Andrew Yoon { Dec 17th 2007 at 11:00AM }

Stay tuned all this week as we reveal the our nominees for the very best games of 2007. Winners will be declared on December 27th.

PSP finally blossomed as a system, as developers were able to unlock its full 333MHz processing power. With it, we've seen games that match, and sometimes exceed, most PS2 games. Amazing what our tiny portable system can do now, isn't it?

And the nominees for PSP Fanboy - Best Graphics of 2007 are:

Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters
High Impact Studios | Sony Computer Entertainment

Size Matters does very little to compromise the graphical flair found in previous Ratchet & Clank games. Just a gander at one of the intense space missions in the game will show the incredible power of the game engine. Particles upon particles are thrown at the screen, making these sequences easily one of the most graphically intense experiences you can find on PSP.

Gallery: Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters

SOCOM Tactical Strike
Slant Six | Sony Computer Entertainment

There are times where SOCOM Tactical Strike forgets its a handheld game. Slant Six has crafted a powerful engine that has can render lush jungles, realistic cityscapes, and complex lighting with a silky smooth framerate. Large levels are miles-long, and the engine is somehow able to squeeze them all into the PSP. We don't know how they did it, but Tactical Strike is a sight to be behold.

Gallery: SOCOM Tactical Strike

Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow
Sony Bend | Sony Computer Entertainment

Sony Bend somehow managed to churn out a game even more stunning than its predecessor, Dark Mirror. Interactive water simply outdoes anything ever done on the system, and an advanced particles engine creates some truly stunning smoke, fog and steam effects. With a terrific real-time lighting model, Syphon Filter does things that many PS2 games only dream of.

Gallery: Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow

Stay tuned to PSP Fanboy on December 27th for the winners. Best of 2007 image based off of work from Studio469.

Tags: bestof2007

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Tanya @ Dec 17th 2007 11:09AM

What no love for Silent Hill: Origins? :(

pixelator @ Dec 17th 2007 11:45AM

I agree - Silent Hill was them most visually atmospheric game I've seen yet for PSP.

Andrew - my email to you bounced, did you get it?

Delink @ Dec 17th 2007 11:21AM

wtf, where is final fantasy crisis core... best grafics ever on psp!!! O.o

Andrew Yoon @ Dec 17th 2007 11:27AM

We're only including games that were released in the US this year. Crisis Core will have to wait until next year. (And it'll have to fight against God of War!)

Hashbrown_Hunter @ Dec 17th 2007 4:32PM

The Battle of the Ages

PostedOval @ Dec 17th 2007 12:08PM

I own and beat all 3 of these games (and Silent Hill while we're at it)... but I would have to go with SOCOM for graphics. I was constantly amazed at the quality. Simply incredible on a handheld.

Alien @ Dec 17th 2007 12:10PM

Pretty good list IMo Burnout Dominator and SH : O should be included to ...

Anyways , I agree with Andrew , next year we will see a real battle of the graphics gods ... now if only GT Mobile , Dissidia and Kingdom Hearts would be released , than maybe we would see the best visual lineup of the entire PSPs generation :D

Andy @ Dec 17th 2007 12:17PM

Brave Story has amazing graphics on the PSP as well. I own both it and Ratchet & Clank, and I'd have to say that they are both on par with one another. Several of my DS-toting friends have seen me playing Brave Story and were blown away by how good portable game graphics can be.

Tristan @ Dec 17th 2007 12:33PM

You go Ratchet and Clank, you go!

Brian @ Dec 17th 2007 1:20PM

Syphon Filter Logan's Shadow FTW amazing graphics for a PSP game, both gameplay and cut scenes.

Michael K. @ Dec 17th 2007 2:50PM

I'd say ratchet & clank

Darth_Maul @ Dec 17th 2007 3:15PM

Ratchet and Clank, best game for PSP, until GOW.

EDW @ Dec 17th 2007 3:51PM

having not played Syphon Filter, the best looking game on that list is definately Ratchet and Clank to me.

Sean @ Dec 17th 2007 4:32PM

No love for Brave Story? :(
In my opinnion, it was easily the best.

cafecito @ Dec 17th 2007 5:20PM

I can't get why Silent Hill Origins isn't there. What about Manhunt 2? Censorship aside, the environments and everything else are beautiful.

Jonathan @ Dec 17th 2007 10:10PM

SOCOM!

imxiaozhu @ Dec 18th 2007 2:26AM

If there's a nomination list, I'll also include the following:

Monster Hunter 2 (great improvement upon the 1st, but seems not getting much western love),

Tomb Raider Ann (large scene, great natural view, yet sometimes got unsteady frame rate problem),

Sillent Hill Origin (dynamic lighting effect, great mist system, intensively delivers horror atmosphere),

Gundam Battle Chronicle (great models of hundreds of different Gundams, more for collectors).