The PSP was Sony’s first dedicated handheld device that was trying to go after Nintendo. It did not come close to beating the DS as far as sales went. However, it did have something the DS was incapable of. The graphics were far better, for one, allowing developers to create much bigger worlds on this tiny hand-held device.
The amount of open-world games on the PSP far outnumbers the amount on the DS in terms of scale, even if the same is not as true for the PS Vita when compared to the 3DS. The best open-world games on the PSP and PS Vita really were in a class of their own though and are still well worth playing today.
8 Borderlands 2
Borderlands 2 was ported to the PS Vita. It is the complete game and runs pretty well as a portable RPG. The controls aren’t perfect in the conversion since there aren’t two shoulder buttons. Games that typically use them have players touch the back panel screen instead.
It could be awkward sometimes, but it made the weapons more manageable in the game. The graphics are also downgraded although the OLED version of the PS Vita does make the colors pop more. It’s not the most ideal way to play this classic, but, again, it is impressive that it was able to run on the handheld.
7 Dragon Quest Builders
Dragon Quest Builders can simply be described as Minecraft but with more of a purpose. It has a story that players can follow, but the world is their oyster. Players can ignore the plot, venture into the great unknown, and start building houses and other contraptions like in Minecraft.
It’s a good building system even though 90% of it is lifted from its competitor. Dragon Quest Builders is not the best spinoff in the Dragon Quest series, but it is still a good action RPG that was made better with the sequel.
6 Final Fantasy 3
Final Fantasy 3 was first released on the NES in 1990 in Japan. It was the first game in the series that allowed players to change their Jobs at will. The West would not get it until 2006 via the DS remake, which was a long wait when compared to some of the other games in the series.
This PSP version launched later in 2012, and added more content and a few gameplay tweaks. It’s the best version of the remake to play and is a classic adventure in the Final Fantasy series most still not have played. That said, those who prefer authenticity may be better served with the Pixel Remaster version.
5 Gravity Rush
Gravity Rush was a launch game for the PS Vita and one of the most unique titles on the handheld overall. It took place in an open-world city and was small in scale, but there was an awful lot for players to see and do.
Instead of fighting enemies like in other brawlers or jumping around like in other platformers, players manipulated gravity to send the heroine, Kat, flying around. It helped with combat along with exploring this dense space. It was good enough to get both a remaster and a sequel on the PS4.
4 Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories was the first PSP spinoff of the long-running GTA franchise. It took place around the same era as GTA 3, featuring much of the same Liberty City from the PS2 classic. For a portable GTA game, it ran great on the PSP.
It was successful enough to get a sequel, set in Vice City, along with a PS2 port. The PSP also got a port of China Town Wars, which was an original title that started life on the DS. All three of these games have great open-world cities to explore but Liberty City Stories is arguably the pick of the bunch.
3 Gun Showdown
Gun was an open-world Western that predated Red Dead Redemption. It launched in 2005 for all major platforms with this PSP version, retitled Gun Showdown, releasing in 2006. This version came with enhancements, like extra content, at the cost of a small downgrade in graphics from the home console versions.
The game was nowehere near as groundbreaking as Red Dead Redemption as far as the story or gameplay went, but it was still a good game be it on the PSP or home consoles. It’s a shame that the game never got a sequel, but the original is still well worth playing if players can get their hands on a copy.
2 Shakedown: Hawaii
Retro City Rampage was an 8-Bit parody of video games. The gameplay resembled the top-down entries in the GTA series, but it poked fun at other giant franchises too like Mario. It was a fun, arcade-like romp filled with jokes and thousands of ways to cause mayhem.
Years later, Shakedown: Hawaii was released as its spiritual 16-Bit sequel. The gameplay and jokes were tighter, the graphics were an improvement, and it was altogether a more thought-out open-world city to explore. The world is impressively big for an indie game.
1 Star Ocean: Second Evolution
Star Ocean: Second Evolution is a PSP remake of a PS1 game. It is the second game in this giant RPG series, but it was the first that ever came to the west when it hit the PS1. The SNES original got a remake on PSP which is also a worthwhile action RPG with a classic open world to explore.
Star Ocean: Second Evolution is one of the best portable remakes out there and a fine addition to any PSP collection. The series has been up and down since the two remakes came out, but at least these games remain fun for players decades later.