The PlayStation Portable had a library full of standout hits, but some of its best games flew under the radar. These weren’t necessarily the most heavily advertised or part of the biggest franchises, but they showcased the cair138 incredible creativity and depth possible on Sony’s handheld console. Looking back, these underappreciated gems reveal the PSP as one of the most ambitious handhelds of its era.

One such title was Jeanne d’Arc, a tactical RPG that mixed historical fantasy with polished mechanics and beautiful animation. Developed by Level-5, the game offered deep strategy, a compelling plot, and a vibrant visual style that stood out even among its bigger-name competitors. Despite strong reviews, it never achieved the same fame as other RPGs on the system—but those who played it still remember it as one of the best games the PSP had to offer.

Another lesser-known favorite was Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together, a reimagined version of a classic strategy title. With an intricate class system, branching story paths, and dozens of hours of content, it delivered more than what many full-priced console games did at the time. It showed that PlayStation games on the PSP could compete with—and sometimes exceed—the depth of their home-console siblings.

What made these PSP games special wasn’t just how well they played, but how much they respected the player. They didn’t treat handheld gaming as second-tier; instead, they provided full-scale, ambitious projects that belonged in the same conversation as major console releases. As more players explore retro and handheld gaming, these titles are finally starting to receive the recognition they’ve long deserved.