The PSP served as an entry point for many players to discover long-running gaming franchises. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite introduced a wave of Western players to Capcom’s iconic hunting series. It emphasized teamwork, preparation, and mastery of combat, becoming a cultural phenomenon in Japan and eventually gaining global traction. For many fans, their first Monster Hunter experience came on the PSP, sparking lifelong interest in the series.
Dissidia Final Fantasy was another franchise-introduction masterpiece. This action-packed brawler gathered heroes and villains from across the Final Fantasy timeline and introduced newcomers to the deep lore and beloved characters. AsiaLive Its unique combat system combined RPG elements with real-time action, making it a standout PSP title and a gateway for new fans into the massive Final Fantasy universe.
Killzone: Liberation gave PSP owners a taste of Sony’s premier first-person shooter franchise, reimagined as an isometric tactical shooter. The new perspective worked well for handheld gameplay and offered a more strategic approach, which helped diversify the Killzone experience. Players unfamiliar with the franchise got to dive into its gritty world through a surprisingly deep and refined portable adaptation.
These PSP games didn’t just deliver quality—they acted as introductions to iconic franchises that players would go on to follow for years. The handheld system was a bridge into bigger worlds, proving its importance in expanding fanbases and deepening gaming universes.