8. flOw

The first time I played this game was on my computer, while it was an incomplete beta flash movie. It was later finished and sold for the PS3 and later the PSP. It’s a visual treat where the player controlled creature eats other creatures to become bigger/stronger and descends lower (into the ocean?) to face bigger/stronger creatures. I love this game and it would have been higher in the list, except for it’s fatal flaw - it’s too short! I completed this game in under 90 minutes (which is never a good thing), but being a PSN download and not a full UMD game there is a bit of justification in there.

Incredibly the PC version is still available online, and can be played at the authors website here!

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7. NesterJ NES Emulator for PSP

This Nintendo NES Emulator made by Ruka works perfectly with the PSP Slim, earning it a spot on the list. There’s not much that can be said, we all know of at least one legendary old school NES game, this emulator makes them portable (blowing into the cartridge not required). You can download it from DARKCOLD here and go to the authors website here.

6. Ridge Racer 2

There’s quite a few racing games for the PSP, I chose RR2 for the list. It has completely unrealistic car handling, limited options for upgrading the cars (compared to Gran Turismo for example) and the voice over is so annoying it to be turned off to make the game playable for more than 5 minutes. With so many shortcomings how can I possibly put this game on the list? Quite simply, it’s fun and stylish. Namco created a polished game which is very arcadey (perfect for a quick race) and the limited customization options are actually quite handy. Gran Turismo is a fantastic game (the home versions - it will never come out on PSP) but it’s just not portable.

5. FuSa for Custom Firmware

This isn’t a game or even an application, but this plug-in had to be included on the list because it adds a feature to the PSP which Sony should have included. It allows TV output of licenced (UMD) games over both cable types (component and composite). Unfortunately for some this plug-in requires a custom firmware be running on the PSP, and obviously this is only going to work with the PSP Slim (PSP Phat doesn’t have video-out).

You can download it from DARKCOLD here (old version) or visit the authors website here.

4. gameplaySP  Gameboy Advance emulator

Something the PSP lacks is a decent Super Nintendo emulator. While that fact is upsetting to say the least (so many great games) there is some consolation in the fact that there’s an excellent Gameboy Advance emulator (which could be confusing considering the GBA is more powerful than the SNES), but since some of the best games from the 16-bit era have been ported (some with better results than others) it’s not that big a deal, not to forget fantastic titles like Mario & Luigi and Warioware. Performance is surprisingly good and TV output with either cable type on the PSP Slim is appreciated.

3. Me & My Katamari

The Katamari series first portable game wasn’t disappointing, perfectly translating the gameplay and completely oddball humour to the PSP. If you’ve never played a Katamari game, it’s easy to pick up - you play as the young prince, who must roll everything up into a ball (and I do mean everything - starting off with small things like candy and stationary, going all the way up to animals, cars, houses, mountains - everything).

2. Patapon

Patapon is one of the most unique (and fun) gameplay experiences I’ve ever had. You play as the leader of a tribal army (which you build up and customize) who respond only to rhythm (that’s actually how the whole game is played - with rhythm), with the need to assess the current situation and use the appropriate combination to make them attack, defend or flee. Not just a game of timing (precise timing is essential) and keeping rhythm, thinking quickly can make a huge difference which is why I’m stuck and am yet to finish this game. Patapon has a good storyline with sidequests and a large assortment of weapons to discover for use against the strong variety of enemies in the opposing force/s.

1.DJ Max Portable 2

Not the first game of its type but certainly one of the best. The first time I played DJ Max (the original) I survived no longer than 10 seconds, but after a while something amazing happened - I started to not lose, then before I knew it I’d completed my first song. It was probably being defeated so easily by the falling music bars which must be precisely timed to pressing their corresponding button on the PSP that kept me playing, and now I can’t stop. The various genres of music - electronica, techno, J-pop, rock, etc. have been perfectly combined with their anime music video counterparts which play in the background to create not just a game but an experience. A treat.

I haven’t included the original DJ Max Portable in this list simply because its UMD can be inserted while running DJMX2 to gain access to all of the original tracks, DJMX2 also has much better unlocks and a better scoring system.

Honourable Mentions:

- Megaman: Powered up - Brings the classic Megaman series to the PSP with two new bosses and a complete new feeling (for the better)
- Spelling Challenges and More! - Something different, a game which tests spelling ability. Good way to learn new words.
- Wipeout Pulse - Highly stylized racing game, nice graphics and excellent sound track.
- Hot Pixel - Shameless clone of Warioware, but still heaps of fun.