The Top 30 Best Open World PSP Games of All Time

Yo, what’s up fellow gamers! Today we’re taking a nostalgic look back at some of the best open world games ever released on the PlayStation Portable. From Grand Theft Auto to Need for Speed, the PSP was home to tons of freedom-filled worlds just begging to be explored. Let’s dive in to the 30 greatest open world experiences you could have on Sony’s legendary handheld.

List of Top 30 Best Open World PSP Games

1. Assassin’s Creed Bloodlines (2009)

This Assassin’s Creed title brought the free-running, open world stealth action of the console games to the small screen. We get to visit open world recreations of cities like Limassol as the assassin Altaïr and take out top Templar targets. Sweet parkour moves, stealth kills, and a cool equipment system make this a must-play for AC fans.

2. Beowulf: The Game (2007)

Beowulf’s quest to defeat the monster Grendel plays out in a 3D hack-and-slash adventure with some open environments to explore. The visuals impress for a handheld and swinging a sword and unleashing combos is as fun as ever. It ain’t a perfect game but hacking up enemies never gets old.

3. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (2007)

This fantastic FF7 prequel lets us dive into the events leading up to the OG game. The gorgeous 3D world spans cities, villages, and dungeons for us to plunder. The real-time combat nails that classic FF vibe with materia, limit breaks, summons – the works!

4. Dante’s Inferno (2010)

Holy heck, did EA go all out bringing the intense action and gruesome imagery of this infernal adventure to the PSP. Dante hacks and slashes through the underworld fighting demons and huge bosses across 9 epic levels based on the circles of hell. It’s wicked, man.

5. Dead To Rights – Reckoning (2007)

This third person shooter has a gritty noir vibe as it follows Jack Slate’s quest for justice in the seedy underbelly of Grant City. The hand-to-hand combat provides brutal, balletic gun fu and the crime thriller story will immerse fans of the genre.

6. Dragon Ball Z – Shin Budokai 2 (2007)

Get your anime fighting fix with this excellent DBZ game featuring a new story mode and 23 playable characters. Fly around huge 3D maps and unleash crazy attacks in arcade-style 3v3 battles. This is a must-play for Dragon Ball fans.

7. Driver 76 (2007)

Driver 76 takes the pulp ’70s car chase action of this classic series to new heights. Tear through the open streets of New York, Miami, and Los Angeles tracking down leads and busting crooks as detective Tanner. Vintage car models, cinematic chases, and unlockable challenges make this a wild ride.

8. FIFA 09 (2008)

FIFA 09 provides a solid footie experience with official team and player licenses, responsive controls, and great graphics. Play through a season guiding your favorite club to victory. Penalty kicks, corner kicks, goal celebrations – it’s all there! This is a go-to FIFA title for soccer nuts.

9. Fieldrunners (2008)

Who knew tower defense games could work so well on handhelds? This acclaimed strategy game has you placing turrets to fight off endless waves of enemies. With multiple classes, upgrades, and difficulties it’ll keep you occupied for hours. Strategy fans, lock and load!

10. GUN: Showdown (2006)

Saddle up for some Wild West action in this gun slinging adventure. Play as Colton White across prairie towns, canyons, and frontier outposts capping baddies. With bounties to hunt, challenges to complete, and secret items to find, this one’s a rip-roaring good time.

11. GTA: Chinatown Wars (2009)

There’s no way we could leave out this groundbreaking open world GTA entry built just for the PSP. The cel-shaded visuals and overhead camera provide a retro vibe while the dark crime story, open Liberty City setting, and trademark mayhem make this an essential GTA experience.

12. GTA: Liberty City Stories (2005)

Before Chinatown Wars, Liberty City Stories set the bar for GTA on handhelds. Return to the sprawling metropolis from GTA III with new missions, weapons, vehicles and mini-games. The shorter load times and streamlined gameplay make for a riveting portable GTAsian.

13. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)

This prequel to Vice City fleshes out the neon-soaked origin of the enigmatic Vercetti. Experience the seedy underworld of Vice City with new story arcs, arcade side activities, empire-building drug wars, and other criminal ventures. An 80s soundtrack completes this Miami-inspired triumph.

14. Gran Turismo (2009)

Gran Turismo downshifts the legendary racing sim onto the small screen. With over 800 vehicles, 60 track layouts, and a ton of events there’s no shortage of gearhead goodness. Tune rides, earn licenses, and drive flawlessly to collect wins. Real racing fans can’t miss this game.

15. God of War – Ghost of Sparta (2010)

Kratos slices and dices his way through ancient Greece once again in this white-knuckle PSP adventure. Gorgeous graphics bring the mythic world to life and God of War’s trademark gripping combat is just as visceral. Unleash the Blades of Chaos!

16. Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix (2007)

Explore Hogwarts and wield magic in the first HP game on PSP. Play through the story, attend classes to learn spells, play Quidditch matches, duel other students – it’s a Harry Potter fan’s dream game. I solemnly swear it’s a blast!

17. Kenka Bancho: Badass Rumble (2009)

This odd little brawler lets you roam around Tokyo looking for fights as a high school thug. Battle hundreds of enemies with combos, weapons, and some wacky martial arts moves. You can even fight a kangaroo? If quirky Japanese beat ’em ups are your jam, check this one out.

18. LittleBigPlanet (2009)

While not as robust as its console sibling, the handheld LittleBigPlanet delivers platforming fun with Sackboy’s unique DIY style. Play through imaginative 2D levels and customize your own looks and levels with the deep creative tools. This game sparks inspiration.

19. Lord Of Arcana (2010)

Lord of Arcana provides epic monster hunting action RPG goodness. Assemble a party of heroes to battle beasts and save the world across expansive environments and dungeons. With Variant Arcana powers to wield in fast-paced battles, this game never slows down.

20. Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition (2005)

Midnight Club 3 remain the best street racing game on PSP. Tear up the fictional metropolises of Detroit and Atlanta in fully customizable rides. No crazy stories or cheesy acting, just raw racing action with flawless controls and a pumping soundtrack. Three-two-one, go!

21. Mortal Kombat: Unchained (2006)

Mortal Kombat was packed to the brim with bloody martial arts action on PSP. Play as Shujinko against fighters like Scorpion, Kitana, and Goro through multiple game modes and stages. Team up or face-off with fellow kombatants in multiplayer, too. Got the guts?

22. Need for Speed: Carbon (2006)

Hit the neon-lit streets of Palmont City in this intense street racing entry. Build up a crew, customize cars, and own the night in intense circuit, drift, and drag races. Outrace rival crews and take down their bosses to rule the underworld. Shift into high gear and floor it!

23. OutRun 2006: Coast 2 Coast (2006)

Cruise across the States in this colorful racer packed with unlockable cars and branching routes. Pick a Ferrari and enjoy the dazzling graphics and sense of speed. With varied weather effects and a pumping soundtrack, this road trip is a scenic blast.

24. Prince of Persia: Forgotten Sands (2010)

The Sands of Time prequel brings slick parkour platforming and unique powers to the PSP. Flow through ancient temples wielding elemental weapons to smash enemies and solve puzzles. With epic boss fights and a cool transformation system, Forgotten Sands is a joy.

25. Ridge Racer (2004)

No other racing game captured pure speed like the classic Ridge Racer formula. Drift through hairpins and burn rubber through high-speed circuits in a sleek sports car. With reactive controls and a trademark sense of style, Ridge Racer is arcade racing perfection.

26. Shadow of Memories (2001)

This unique gem follows a man named Homunculus fated to be murdered who jumps through time to piece together the mystery. The photorealistic graphics, multiple endings based on your choices, and time travel premise make this a one-of-a-kind game.

27. Spider-Man 3 (2007)

It’s everyone’s favorite web-slinger in this fun tie-in to the Spidey film. Swing and parkour through Manhattan performing death-defying aerial stunts. With an original storyline, groovy 60’s inspired suits, and fast-paced action, this game will get your spidey senses tingling.

28. Tekken 6 (2009)

Tekken 6 faithfully brings the hardest hitting martial arts tournament to the go with 41 playable fighters. All the bone-crunching mechanics, combos, and gameplay innovations that make Tekken amazing are here. Get ready for some 1 vs 1 beatdowns!

29. Test Drive Unlimited (2006)

Test Drive Unlimited pioneered open world racing games with its 1:1 scale recreation of Oahu Island’s 1000 miles of roads. Tour the picturesque landscape challenges other racers in events from circuits to sprints. With unlimited customization it pioneered open world racing games with its 1:1 scale recreation of Oahu Island’s 1000 miles of roads. Tour the picturesque landscape challenges other racers in events from circuits to sprints. With unlimited customization it’s a petrolhead’s paradise.

30. The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky (2011)

This acclaimed JRPG transports players to a rich fantasy realm primed for adventure. Roam between unique towns and dungeons with the Aerial Bracer Guild solving quests. With tactical turn-based combat, expert world-building, and likable characters, Trails in the Sky is a journey to remember.

Also Read: 18 Best Survival Games for PPSSPP

There you have it friends – the definitive must-play list of open world awesomeness on PSP! Which of these sandboxes stirred your sense of adventure back in the day?

Let me know if you have any other favorite open world memories on this classic handheld. I don’t know about you, but after this trip down portable memory lane I feel like breaking out the old PSP and leaping back into some classics!