How many PSP games are there?
According to aggregated data from multiple sources, approximately 50,000 games have been released for the PlayStation Portable (PSP) since its launch in 2004. As of 2023, there are over 1,500 PSP games still available for purchase/download from the PlayStation Store across North America, Europe, and Asia regions.
PSP Game Library Overview
While no longer in active production, the PSP amassed a game catalog comparable to major home consoles over its lifetime:
| Total PSP Games Released | ~50,000 |
| PSP Games Still Available Digitally | Over 1,500 |
| Best-Selling PSP Game | Monster Hunter Freedom 3 – 4.9M copies |
| Game Genres Represented | Action, Adventure, RPG, Racing, Sports, Strategy, more |
Diving deeper – the PSP‘s game library was a core pillar of its success as a platform. Lets analyze contributing factors:
Sony First-Party Exclusives
As with all PlayStation systems, Sony leveraged its first-party studios to create signature exclusive franchises for the PSP:
- God of War: Chains of Olympus, Ghost of Sparta
- Gran Turismo
- Twisted Metal: Head-On
- SOCOM U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo
- WipEout Pure, Pulse
These exclusive titles drew millions of core gamers to the platform.
Backwards Compatibility & PS Classics
The PSP had extensive backwards compatibility with original PlayStation (PS1) games. Over 300 popular PS1 titles across genres were adapted and released as PSOne Classics for digital purchase/download to PSP.
This vast built-in library gave the PSP a nostalgia factor that retained older gamers.
Western Third-Party Support
Strong support from western third-party publishers secured AAA blockbuster hits for PSP like:
- Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories, Vice City Stories
- Need for Speed Most Wanted 5-1-0
- FIFA, Madden NFL, NBA 2K
- Assassin‘s Creed: Bloodlines
- Sid Meier‘s Civilization Revolution
Japanese Publisher Backing
The PSP achieved incredible success in Japan thanks to heavy backing from major Japanese publishers:
- Monster Hunter Portable Series – Capcom
- Dragon Quest & Final Fantasy titles – Square Enix
- Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker – Konami
- Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep – Square Enix
- Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII
These exclusive JRPG and action games appealed perfectly to Japanese gamers on the go.
By cultivating both Western and Japanese publishers, the PSP delivered a diverse, multi-regional game library few handhelds can match.
The PSP‘s Game Lineup Stands the Test of Time
Even a decade past its peak, the PSP‘s game catalog sizes up well vs. modern mobile/handheld platforms:
Number of Games by Platform
| PSP | Nintendo Switch | iOS App Store | |
| Total Games | ~50,000 | 5,000+ | Over 1 million |
The Nintendo Switch represents the current generation of dedicated handheld gaming – after nearly 10 years on market, its game lineup is 1/10th the size of the PSP‘s.
While the iOS App Store has an order or magnitude more games, its market is flooded with shovelware and niche indie titles. The PSP stands out for its concentration of high-quality, full-featured console games tailored for on-the-go play.
And decades later, all-time classics like God of War: Chains of Olympus, Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker are still considered must-play PSP experiences.
That concludes our deep dive on the PlayStation Portable‘s massive game lineup over its lifespan. For gamers craving quality portable play, the PSP game catalog is still vibrant and full of legendary titles across genres. Over 50,000 games released and 1,500+ still available – stunning statistics that cement its legacy in handheld gaming history.
