Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars is great because it doesn't feel like a scaled-down handheld version of a GTA console game. Instead, it feels like a progression for the series, introducing a handful of great new features that seem destined to become standard in future iterations. Don't let the art style or simple minigames fool you; Chinatown Wars is every bit as mature as its big brothers. It's also happens to be one of the best GTA games out there.
The 3rd Birthday
The 3rd Birthday is a game that fans of the parasite Eve series will love. Square Enix opened a lot of doors for a possible fourth title with this game, but don’t let that keep you from experiencing it. Square Enix really stepped up to the plate for PSP gamers with the level of quality in this release. Everything is well done here and leaves you wanting more. The game was released with little advertising and might have flown under the radar of a lot of gamers. Because of this, it might be a little hard to find a copy, but if you can it’s really worth playing. It did make our top list after all.
Silent Hill: Shattered Memories
Silent Hill Shattered Memories might feel like a shallow entry in the series to veteran players. But honestly as a standalone title it really does represent the small niche of video games that are smart, thought provoking and meaningful in their design. There aren't a lot cheap scares or incredibly disturbing aspects to Shattered Memories, but the overall experience leaves you pondering the choices you make in the game. Shattered Memories stands as one of the best third-party games to checkout on the PSP.
Resistance: Retribution
Sony did a great job in bringing good, solid shooter action to the PSP with Resistance: Retribution. There are a few bumps along the way, but the experience is good enough that anyone with a PSP that wants to try something that’s not quirky or cute for the first time since God of War should give it a shot. The PS3 connectivity features add some interesting new things to check out for those with both Sony platforms.
Gran Turismo
The PSP has plenty of racers that deliver instant arcadey thrills like EA’s Burnout, but there aren’t a lot of realistic driving simulators on the PSP that demand the investment of time put into learning the intricacies of a single car like Gran Turismo for the PSP does. Sure arcade and simulation are both racers, but it is apples and oranges. Both are fun, and both appeal to distinct, if not slightly overlapping, crowds. But if you like Gran Turismo style of simulation racing, and you have a PSP, you need to own this game. It's not the greatest racer of all time. Just the greatest racing game available on a portable handheld.
Honorable Mention:
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
Dissidia 012: Final Fantasy
Monster Hunter Freedom: Unite
God of War Chains of Olympus
Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes
