Despite the Nintendo Switch being one of my favorite gaming devices of all time, I’ve actually been having more fun bringing my PSP on the go. I love the PSP’s clicky, responsive buttons, its lightweight form factor, and the fantastic library of games. Time seems to fly when I bring my PSP with me to my Sunday laundromat runs. I wanted to highlight three games I've been having a blast playing while waiting for my clothes to dry. Maybe by the end of it, you'll want to snag one off eBay yourself. Just make sure the old battery doesn't explode!
Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection
3D fighting games are sick. What’s not sick is how good I am at them 😔. Luckily for me, I'm still able to have a great time playing through the story and arcade modes by button-mashing or spamming a couple of go-to moves. With 32 playable characters (each character having a move list longer than a CVS receipt), I found myself spending countless hours discovering and experimenting with new moves and combos. Somehow, they were able to make this portable version of Tekken feel as if you were playing it on the big screen. Oftentimes, handheld ports of home console games get the short end of the stick, but this one took no shortcuts. Launching your opponent in the air and following it up with a kick or punch is just as satisfying here as it is on the home console version.
On top of Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection having solid gameplay, it also holds up really well visually. This game does NOT look like it was released nearly two decades ago (did I make you feel old?). The character models are large, pop on the screen, and move fluidly, and the stages are bright and full of life. I think the only thing missing from this port would be the online functionality. Unfortunately, the servers have been shut down for some time now, so the only opponent to play against is the CPU in 2024. Despite this, I feel this is the perfect game to blast through a couple of arcade runs while on the go!
Gran Turismo
I'm one of those people who enjoys looking at cool cars but knows absolutely nothing about them. For example, when I open up the hood of my car, all I know is that there is an engine in there. I don’t know what each component does, but it makes my car go 'beep beep.' Luckily, Gran Turismo scratches that itch of enjoying cool cars from a distance. It has the perfect balance of simulation and arcade-style racing gameplay. You can’t just blast through a corner and slide like in Ridge Racer. Careful consideration of speed and space comes when entering a turn or corner. On top of that, the selection of cars is amazing. Whether you want to drive a Toyota Prius or an Audi R8, GT’s got you.
Gran Turismo for PSP remains true to the timeless gameplay and car collecting formula. There is a big difference from its home console counterparts. No career mode… This may be a deal breaker for many, and I get that. However, I think the lack of a career mode does not detract from the fun that this portable version has to offer. The biggest success of this game is the way it feels and performs. The graphics are awesome, the performance is solid, and the gameplay is just as good as the console versions. It is great for a quick race here and there, and gradually collects credits which you can use to purchase that car you’ve been waiting for.
Interestingly, the game runs on a calendar system. This means that only certain cars are available on specific days. Want to purchase a Mitsubishi Lancer, but it’s not currently available in the store? Well, you’ve got to keep playing and hope it appears on the next in-game calendar date. This concept would work better for a mobile game in 2024, where it could be linked to IRL days instead of an in-game calendar. I get the idea behind it, as it creates more urgency to complete more races, but the random element can be a bit frustrating.
That said, it wasn’t a huge issue for me, as I played this game in quick 15-minute bursts and was excited to see what cars would be available on the next date. As long as you’re playing this on the go and enjoying a race or two here and there, you’ll have a great time with it. Just don’t go into it expecting a fully fleshed-out console experience.
Hot Shots Golf is a super simple golf game, and that's why I love it. I’m all for fun courses or crazy power-ups like those seen in Mario Golf, but sometimes a true test of skill can’t be beaten. Everything about this game feels fair to me. The physics, gameplay, and difficulty all make sense. If I get a bogey, it’s because I screwed up my timing, distance, or angle of the shot. It kind of reminds me of the older Mario sports games, like Mario Tennis for the N64, where you can’t be saved by cheesy power-ups, you have to outclass your opponent.
While I haven’t 100% completed this game just yet, I’ve enjoyed all of the courses and characters I’ve unlocked so far. There’s a challenging game mode where you face off against a rival and are allowed to unlock them after a victory. Again, since you can’t beat your opponent with some cheap super move or course RNG, you actually have to outplay them. There have been many times where I had a 2-stroke lead, only to lose it on the last hole because I choked and ended up in the bunker twice due to a poor swing.
Similarly to why people love games like Elden Ring, the thrill of overcoming a difficult opponent is why I keep coming back to this game on my laundry trips.
One common trait of these games I’ve been playing on the PSP is the lack of story-based gameplay. I find that the best way to play this system is for those quick 15-minute bursts, like waiting for halftime of an NBA to finish or even just to kill time on your lunch break. These three games have filled in those gaps of time for me and made those moments a whole lot of fun. I would love to hear other great pick up and play games in the comments below!
The only game I have ever played on PSP was Crisis Core: FF7 and it was awesome. I honestly think snagging this up for Gran Turismo would be awesome
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