When Sony launched the PlayStation Portable (PSP), it forever changed the landscape of portable gaming. The PSP wasn’t just a miniaturized PlayStation; it was a forward-thinking device that allowed developers to create expansive, fully realized games on the go. Some of the best PSP games helped pave the way for many of the design principles seen in today’s most successful PlayStation titles, influencing everything from storytelling to gameplay mechanics.

For instance, the God of War franchise took its first portable bow with God of War: Chains of Olympus and God of War: Ghost of Sparta. These handheld entries brought the series’ brutal combat and rich narrative to the PSP, setting the stage for the evolution of Kratos’ character and gameplay mechanics that would later define the PS4’s God of War (2018). The PSP’s ability to deliver full-fledged, visually stunning experiences helped demonstrate what handheld gaming could achieve when pushed to its limits.

The PSP also served as an incubator for genre innovation. Games like Patapon and LocoRoco defied traditional expectations for handhelds, offering unique gameplay experiences that blended rhythm and strategy in ways that hadn’t been seen before. These quirky, memorable games had a profound impact on PlayStation’s indie scene, which today thrives on originality and creative risk-taking. Titles like Journey and Tearaway owe much to the experimental spirit fostered on the PSP.

Even the multiplayer aspects of the PSP set the stage for today’s online PlayStation experiences. The PSP’s ad-hoc multiplayer function allowed players to connect locally, making games like Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Resistance: Retribution incredibly engaging and cooperative. Today’s PlayStation ecosystem embraces similar social experiences, with online connectivity and co-op multiplayer as core features of the best games on the platform.

The PSP may not have enjoyed the same level of mainstream success as other consoles, but its influence on PlayStation’s direction is undeniable. It remains a testament to Sony’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of gaming, whether handheld or home console.