While many gamers remember God of War or Gran Turismo when they think of the PSP, the system was also home to dozens of lesser-known titles that rivaled big-name releases in quality. Some of the best PSP games aren’t necessarily the pianototo most famous—they’re the ones that took risks, delivered unique experiences, and built loyal cult followings. These hidden gems deserve just as much attention as their blockbuster peers.

One standout is Jeanne d’Arc, a tactical RPG from Level-5 that reimagined historical France with fantasy elements and beautifully animated cutscenes. It offered deep strategy gameplay and a compelling story, all perfectly optimized for portable play. Another underappreciated title is Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, a complex, choice-driven SRPG that offered multiple endings and political intrigue long before it became common in mainstream games.

Fans of atmospheric exploration might remember Echochrome, a minimalist puzzle game that played with perception and physics in ways rarely seen before. And for racing fans, MotorStorm: Arctic Edge brought chaotic, terrain-sensitive racing to the PSP with surprising polish. Each of these games took full advantage of the PSP’s hardware and control scheme, proving that innovation thrived even in the shadows of bigger franchises.

Today, these overlooked classics are gaining renewed attention thanks to digital rereleases and emulation. As gamers look beyond nostalgia and into the deeper corners of the PSP library, they’re finding that some of the most creative and rewarding experiences were the ones that didn’t make headlines. If you’re building a collection of the best PSP games, don’t overlook the hidden gems—they’re what truly made the platform special.