The PlayStation Portable (PSP) has been home to an impressive lineup of fighting games, many of which have pushed the boundaries of handheld gaming. These games marked a significant milestone as they made their debut as 1:1 conversions from their console counterparts. These seven fighting games not only retained the core of their beefier counterparts but also delivered an exhilarating and authentic fighting experience right in the palm of your hand.
Best psp fighting games
7. Blazblue Calamity Trigger
2D Fighting games are usually extremely technical, which makes newcomers feel unwelcome due to the high skill floor. That rings true to Blazblue Calamity Trigger. What truly shines on the very nature of the PSP is the game's ability to offer quick bouts, making it ideal for on-the-go gaming. The graphics and gameplay translate well to the handheld, even for someone who isn't typically a fan of 2D fighters.
The game boasts an outstanding soundtrack that complements the fighting experience perfectly, with character-specific themes and match-specific tracks. The real surprise here is the inclusion of a storyline, a rarity in a genre that typically focuses on two fighters' grudge matches. Blazblue's narrative involves all twelve fighters and explores their interconnected relationships, injecting some storytelling into a traditionally narrative-light genre.
Even for those not into 2D fighters, Blazblue's fighting mechanics are surprisingly accessible. The controls are intuitive, with one button for different attack ranges and another for special moves, which are easier to execute than in most fighting games. What sets Blazblue apart from the usual fighter is the utilization of the thumbstick, which allows players to execute special moves effortlessly, catering to both casual and hardcore players.
6. Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower
Every fighter fan loves the Darkstalkers because of its roster which features a diverse and intriguing cast. Although the story seemed somewhat obscure, the character-specific endings, with their quirky and enjoyable narratives, added a curious dynamic to the genre.
The audio aspect of this Darkstallkers title does not disappoint, with fitting music that enhances the stage atmosphere. The absence of voice acting was compensated by occasional character exclamations in Japanese. The sound effects are great, with satisfying hits and attacks, and the quirky karaoke battle win sounds were a delightful touch.
Visually, the game excelled with its beautiful 2D sprites, delivering solid animations and smooth performance. The cut scenes were equally impressive, making the game a visual treat. Darkstalkers Chronicles adhered to the formula of a typical fighting game, offering a well-designed roster of 18 characters, each with unique playstyles. The fighting engine, reminiscent of Street Fighter, featured various moves and combos, and the game's diverse modes, including Arcade, Tower, Training, and Chronicles.
The Tower mode, which should be the obvious highlight given the name of the game, which comprised 100 floors and allowed players to pick three characters, offered a unique challenge, with penalty floors and character rotation. This game's lasting appeal is undeniable, consistently drawing players back for more. Among the PSP's launch titles, Darkstalkers Chronicles stood out as a must-play due to its great art that equals its gameplay.
5. Dissidia 012: Duodecim Final Fantasy
This game may not receive the approval of fighting game connoisseurs as it is heavy on the RPG side. Yet, this game is brimming with content that it can be safely ignored the fact that this is not the most mechanical fighting game in this list. Dissidia 012: Duodecim Final Fantasy expands upon the original game, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, initially created to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Final Fantasy series. The game blends fighting with RPG elements, featuring protagonists and antagonists from the first ten Final Fantasy games, alongside characters from FFXI and FFXII as bonus additions.
Dissidia 012 offers both a new scenario and a continuation of the first game's plot. The dialogue in the new scenario is well-crafted, enhancing the storytelling experience. While the storylines may not rival the depth of the mainline Final Fantasy games, they still provide engaging narratives.
In terms of gameplay, Dissidia 012 offers a distinct combat system for a fighting game. Players utilize two types of attacks: Brave (BRV) and HP. Brave attacks raise your character's BRV points, representing their attack power, while HP attacks inflict direct damage to opponents, reducing their health points to win battles. The game also introduces an EX Mode, granting characters special abilities and allowing HP attacks to be followed by EX Bursts, powerful attacks unique to each character. Duodecim features improvements to the combat mechanics, with the addition of Chase Sequences and EX Revenge, enhancing strategic elements and offering new dynamics to battles.
4. SoulCalibur: Broken Destiny
SoulCalibur was released in the year when Street Fighter IV, BlazBlue, and Dissidia: Final Fantasy were released. It seems like at that time there was going to be the revival of a fighting game, and it did, look at the scene today.
This game is all about visual fidelity. Broken Destiny closely mirrors the visuals of its console counterpart, demonstrating the PSP's capabilities with impressive detail. Character models are exceptionally well-crafted, and the stages retain their captivating design. The vibrant colors and smooth animations make it one of the most visually appealing titles on the PSP.
The audio complements the game's overall quality, offering options for both English and Japanese voice acting. The sound effects and music effectively capture the distinctive Soul Calibur ambiance, delivering an authentic experience to long-time fans.
Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny is a must-play for PSP owners and fighting game enthusiasts. It manages to offer a console-like experience on a handheld, delivering stunning visuals, engaging combat, and the opportunity to unleash Kratos from God of War into the Soul Calibur universe.
3. Tekken 6
With its notable innovations, refined controls, and enhanced character customization, Tekken 6 maintains the franchise's reputation for excellence. Although, some may find the narrative in this entry of the franchise to be so-so, who plays fighting games for its story, anyway?
The game's graphics are impressive, considering the PSP's capabilities. Character movements are smoother and more realistic, with careful attention to skin tones and details. Characters blend seamlessly with the background, and the stages are rich in detail, featuring elements like lightning strikes, fountains, and various background activities.
Players will spend a lot of time ranking up their favorite characters, completing character stories, and earning currency for character customization. Despite lacking some of the minigames of its predecessors, Tekken 6 maintains high replayability.
2. Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team
Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team delivers an exciting fusion of gameplay elements that's sure to please fans of the franchise. The addition of 2-on-1 and 2-on-2 matches injects fresh excitement into the traditional Dragon Ball Z fighting formula. Players can explore a few towns and undertake a variety of tasks in the Story Mode named Dragon Walker.
Taking cues from Tenkaichi 3, the combat system offers fast-paced, in-depth battles that keep players coming back for more. The real-time Super moves stand out as a significant improvement, eliminating the frustration of spamming powerful attacks. The Team A Attack/Defense struggles add depth and strategy to each encounter.
Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team succeeds in delivering a highly enjoyable gaming experience for fans of the franchise and even those who are not into Dragon Ball Z. The inclusion of innovative battle modes, impressive graphics, and engaging gameplay makes this game a premium fighting title on the PSP.
1. Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX
Street Fighter Alpha Max 3 successfully brings the classic Street Fighter experience to the handheld console. One of its standout features is the extensive character roster, which encompasses the cast from Street Fighter Alpha 2 and Super Street Fighter II Turbo, along with some new characters. This broad array of fighters ensures diverse gameplay and strategies, making it appealing to both newcomers and veterans of the franchise.
The fighting mechanics are finely tuned, emphasizing stylish combat techniques and juggling. The game retains iconic features like Alpha Counters and air blocking, which contribute to its depth and replay value. Players can select different "ISM" modes to tailor the gameplay to their preferred style.
The Guard Crush meter prevents overly defensive play, adding an extra layer of strategy to the battles. The addition of the World Tour mode, unique to the PSP version, offers a compelling single-player experience. This mode allows players to customize their favorite characters, enhancing their stats and unlocking various features. It's a feature-rich title that captures the essence of the Street Fighter series and makes it an enduring classic for handheld gaming.
Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX offers a rich single-player experience with various modes that contribute to its replay value. The standout among them is the World Tour mode, which provides an engaging progression system. Players can tailor their favorite fighters to match their unique style, There's also a variety of modes, including Arcade, Survival, Dramatic Battle, and more. Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX stands the test of time, offering an entertaining and challenging fighting game experience that showcases the best of the best.