Top 10 PSP Games of the Year 2008

Looking back on the year that just was, it is somewhat difficult to choose a list of the year’s best PSP games. Not because there were so many titles to pick from mind you, but because there were too few. Although Sony did experience a slowdown in sales of PSP software during 2008, the year was filled with some very high-profile quality releases. Grab a cup of egg nog, strap on the yuletide cheer, and get ready as we count down the best 10 PSP games of 2008:

10. Secret Agent Clank (June)
Following along the theme of mascots that have to save their bigger and more renowned partners, Secret Agent Clank was the 2008 answer to Daxter. Secret Agent Clank played differently than earler entries in the series, however, by mixing up the gameplay with action, shooting, stealth and quick-time button pressing. For those who love 3D adventure games, this might be worth a look.

9. Wipeout Pulse (February)
The original Wipeout Pure on PSP got everything right. Sublime graphics, lightning fast action, and impressive downloadable content features really showed the world what the platform was capable of. We had to wait until 2008 for a sequel, but boy did Studio Liverpool deliver. Any fan of racing games owes it to themselves to check this game out immediately. The rest of us Wipeout fanatics have already played it.

8. Star Ocean: First Departure (October)
Quite possibly the standout RPG of 2008. This handheld conversion satisfied fans of the series and newcomers alike with its memorable characters, fun but complex battle system, and crisp graphics. Lovers of retro RPGs always have something to play on the PSP, and 2008 was no exception.

Beautiful anime cutscenes helped carry along the story in Star Ocean: First Departure.

7. Patapon (February)
Quirky and addictive, patapon is another unique PSP title that defies explanation. Half rhythm game, half strategy game, Patapon re-launched the PSP as a casual platform in Japan. Both Patapon and Loco Roco sold enough copies worldwide to warrant sequels, so we will be hearing from this game well into 2009.

6. Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law (January)
Everyone´s favorite talking lawyer bird from the PS2 and Wii made an appearance on the PSP early in 2008. The game was short but sweet, much in the way that Parappa the Rapper still managed to charm us after all these years. Unfortunately the DS seems to be attracting more of the adventure/novel style of game, so PSP owners are hungry for more. We miss these kinds of games, and we hope that developers see fit to release more of them in 2009.

5. Midnight Club LA Remix (November)
This open world racing game gives players a real-life version of Los Angeles to tear up with their customized rides. Even more amazing is that the PSP delivers all of this in the palm of your hand. An amazing game in terms of graphics, scope, polish and execution. Any street racing fan with a PSP needs this game, now. Read our review of Midnight Club LA PSP.

4. R-Type Command (May)
Like a number of other PSP titles, this game takes and established franchise in a totally new direction by veering into turn-based strategy for the first time. This move might have been a disappointment given the lack of solid space shooters on the PSP. On the other hand, no-one can accuse Irem of releasing an uninspired or unoriginal game, since R-Type Command is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Turn based strategy combat on a 2D horizontal battle screen. Seriously, check this game out if you enjoy the strategy genre.

3. Echochrome (May)
You know those M.C. Escher paintings that go all twisty and give you a headache? Well Echochrome is basically a game where you are trapped in crazy perspective world from one of those images. This puzzler delighted fans of the genre on PSP, before moving to the PS3 as a downloadable title. Another interesting thing about this game is the distribution model – in North America, Echochrome was sold via download on the Playstation Store, leading the way toward a digital download service on the PSP.

2. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (March)
Another amazing PSP game that landed in March. Crisis Core almost needs no introduction at this point, but suffice to say that Square Enix did the franchise proud with this competent spinoff. It ties up loose story elements and reunites most of the beloved cast of the original game. The title is more than just fan service, however – there is also a fun and innovative (if a little bit too random) combat system in Crisis Core. Like other quality releases this year, Crisis Core sets new standards for future handheld games. If Agito XIII is anything like this, we will be very pleased.

PSP World Game of the Year 2008:

God of War Chains of Olympus (March)

God of War PSP was an outstanding project for a number of reasons. First of all, it is one of the very best handheld versions of a console game to date. Daxter is another example of a successful console-to-psp translation but God of War really stands on its own. The graphics, animations, and mature storyline all set new standards for quality in handheld action games. Chains of Olympus wins our game of the year award because it points the way forward as a shining example of what a blockbuster game should be on the PSP.