Flex those fingers; it’s time to check out the best Anime PSP games for Sony’s portable powerhouse!
Adapting popular anime and manga into interactive worlds is one of the best ways to tap into people’s sentimental connection to the franchises.
And players like me, with no knowledge of the popular franchises, can still enjoy the awesome video games that have come to home and portable consoles.
I have little experience in anime, not because of lack of interest, but more due to lack of exposure.
I am actually quite motivated to dive deeper into the anime and manga worlds, especially after researching the game adaptations.
There are a TON of amazing anime universes that have come to video gaming for new and familiar fans to experience.
We have previously ranked our best anime games of all time.
So which games made specifically for the PlayStation Portable console are the best?
Let’s find out together… here are the absolute best anime PSP games.
15. Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom (2012)
Hakuoki: Demon of the Fleeting Blossom kickstarts our list of the best Anime PSP games!
We’ve covered lots of dating SIMs here at Retro Dodo in the past, including a very weird one with some pigeons which still makes me shake my head.
So many dating games see players trying to convince girls to go out with them. Well, in this one, it’s the other way around.
This is a fun and downright bizarre game for everyone to play. The game is initially targeted towards female players (it’s called an Otome game), but anyone can enjoy it.
The Anime character designs have aged well, and as you can see above, players can follow along in English to understand what’s going on, so there’s no worries about getting lost in translation!
14. Bleach: Heat The Soul 7 (2010)
Bleach: Heat The Soul 7 takes the 14th spot in this list of the best PSP Anime games. It’s a fighting title and one of many that you’ll see further down this list.
If you’re wondering why you’ve never heard of any of the other titles in the series, let alone the seventh game that we’re mentioning here, then let me enlighten you.
This game and its predecessors only came out in Japan, which means that you’ll need to pick up a J-NTSC copy if you want to get in on the action!
Because of the cel-shaded graphics, this title still looks fresh and easy to play as I write this today. It’s aged well, just like the Retro Dodo favourite ‘The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker’.
This game takes no prisoners either. It’s not quite Returnal level of difficulty, but you’ll often find yourself with your PSP pressed against your face as you scream into the screen.
13. Fate/Unlimited Codes (2008)
Let’s keep the fighting game theme going with the epic Fate/Unlimited Codes.
If you’re used to the early Street Fighter way of doing things, then this 1-V-1 fighting title will feel very familiar.
And, if you’re a fan of the Fate/Stay graphic novel, then all of the characters will make much more sense. Don’t worry if you’ve never played it before, however, as the gameplay is intuitive and the action is incredibly fast paced.
The main difference between Fate/Unlimited Codes and a game such as Tekken 5 is that this game is based on an existing story and series, so all of the characters and moves need to keep in line with what has previously come before.
Imagine if the Witcher suddenly appeared in his game as an old man with a walking stick and a blue top hat – people would lose their minds!
Graphically, this game is amazing. It still blows our minds what the PSP could do back in 2008!
12. Hunter X Hunter: Wonder Adventure (2012)
Hunter X Hunter: Wonder Adventure is a third-person adventure game that combines puzzle platforming with good ol’ fashioned brawling.
It is the first video game for the Hunter X Hunter franchise produced by Namco Bandai.
Select from four classic characters from the popular anime series, with Japanese voiced dialogue.
The game’s charm is in its faithful depiction of the Hunter X Hunter universe.
And our list of the best anime PSP games is not complete without it.
11. Initial D: Street Stage (2006)
Next up on our list is Initial D: Street Stage. And yes, it’s an Anime Street racing game.
Ok, it’s not just any old street racing game, however. It’s based on the popular Initial D manga series, making this a must have title for every fan of Shuichi Shigeno’s fantastic work.
Like a fair few of the games in this list, there is no English patch for Initial D: Street Stage. But to be honest, there isn’t much need for one unless you’re really wanting to get into the crux of the storyline.
There are cards players must collect after winning a race too, 185 of them in fact! You might not be trading or attacking with them, but it’s nice to have a popular Anime collectible as part of the game (even if we don’t have any to play with in real life!).
10. Digimon World Re:Digitize (2012)
Digimon World Re:Digitize is the fifth game in the Digimon franchise.
And it did exactly that fans have been hoping for…
The game returns to the original game play format of the very first Digimon World game from 1999.
Featuring a unique combination of a virtual pet sim and action RPG… “Re:Digitize” is the ideal spiritual successor to the original fan favorite game.
And as one of the best selling games in Japan at the time of its release, fans clearly ate it up.
With many nods to the original universe, while adding so much more… this game was a happy edition to the Digimon series.
And it is an easy addition to our list of the best anime PSP games.
9. Black Rock Shooter (2011)
Black Rock Shooter is an action RPG based on the popular franchise whose origins actually come from a single illustration posted online by Japanese illustrator Huke.
From those simple beginnings, the franchise grew into a popular anime, manga, and of course… a video game adaptation for the PlayStation Portable console.
Play as the namesake femme fatale, Black Rock Shooter, blasting your way through enemies and earning new abilities in this futuristic action game.
With a unique standalone storyline, players will need no prior knowledge of the BRS lore to understand what is going on in the game.
The game features original cutscene animations by the Japanese studio Ufotable, later known for their work on Code Vein, Tales of Arise and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, to name a few.
Fans of the BRS universe are sure to love this faithful video game adaptation.
And we love it too… that’s why it easily takes a spot on our list of best anime PSP games.
8. Corpse Party: Book of Shadows (2011)
Definitely the scariest game on our list, Corpse Party: Book Of Shadows is a horror RPG that plays mostly as a visual novel.
A game that is in no rush to jump into its scares; “Book of Shadows” has an innocent enough introduction.
But that eventually takes a turn for the worse, as things get pretty creepy and bloody.
The use of 3d stereo effects absolutely adds to the atmosphere and is sure to raise the hairs on your neck.
This game occupies a space in gaming that I often feel like could use more titles: casual visual novel exploration.
Game play is casual and slow, and is essentially a manga come to life.
So it is no surprise that this original game series has inspired a manga adaptation as well as a live action movie!
Why not jump into this one of a kind experience for the PSP now, and see exactly why it has a spot on our list of the best anime PSP games.
I dare you to play it in the dark.
7. Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Extend (2011)
Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Extend takes the 7th spot in our best Anime PSP games compendium, and it’s choc-a-bloc with rhythm based antics.
Oh yes, you know how we love rhythm games here at Retro Dodo. You should see Jason on Just Dance; the man has spaghetti legs!
Unfortunately, we never saw this game in the Europe. In fact, it never made it out of Japan.
The gameplay is simple – just hit buttons as they appear on the screen. But man, is it difficult and addictive in equal measure.
Unlock hairstyles and outfits as you tackle over 50 songs. I’ve got to admit, I’m not that bothered about unlocking the costumes, but the beat-matching part of the gameplay definitely keeps our twitching fingers happy!
6. Persona 3 Portable (2009)
Persona 3 Portable aka “P3P” is the PlayStation Portable adaptation of Persona 3 from the PlayStation 2.
The PSP title follows the main portion of the PS2 game, though some elements have been striped away to fit the capabilities of the PSP.
This role-playing game focuses on the theme of the butterfly effect, where choices made in the game effect the path of the storyline.
Though it could be seen as a lesser version of the original PS2 title, fan reviews are often in praise of the visual novel adaptation for handheld consoles.
And it is a title not to be missed for fans of the anime genre.
5. Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex (2005)
Ghost in the Shell is one of the most exciting cyberpunk anime series to come from Japan.
So it is no surprise that the 2005 Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex PlayStation Portable release is just as exciting and action packed.
This first-person shooter features four playable characters, mechanical tank companions, and an original storyline following the events of the PlayStation 2 release of the same title.
And in true anime fashion, we got a cute girl in her underwear blasting a bunch of trained soldiers away. What’s not to love?
4. One Piece: Romance Dawn (2012)
One Piece: Romance Dawn is a role-playing game based on the ever popular One Piece manga and anime series.
The game features 30 minutes of original manga style cutscenes by Toei Animation, the original studio responsible of the One Piece anime series.
With action packed turn-based battles and a classic experience based leveling system to increase special attacks.
Play as one of ten characters in thirteen locations from the classic anime series.
Fans of One Piece are sure to love this classic anime PSP game. And we do too!
3. Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus (2012)
Now Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus sure is a mouthful, but don’t let that stop you from experiencing this one of a kind anime fighting game for the PSP.
Guilty Gear is one of the most dynamic, beautiful and lore heavy game franchises out there.
One of the more recent games scoring pretty high on our list of best anime fighting games.
As far as fighting games goes, Guilty Gear is top of the line.
Each character has a unique play style and move set, making it a very competitive fighter game.
“Accent Core Plus” is one of the most beautiful anime games on the PSP, with a unique art style with shades of Street Fighter 3.
It would not be out of line to say that Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus is absolutely the best fighting game on our list of the best anime PSP games. Period.
2. Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Impact (2011)
Naruto is an undeniable force when it comes to anime games, no matter what the console, and Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Impact was the final appearance of Naruto on the PlayStation Portable console.
Unlike other games in the “Ulltimate Ninja” series, “Ultimate Ninja Impact” has a gameplay style much more akin to the Warriors series by Omega Force.
This PSP exclusive release features over 50 characters from the Naruto universe battling it out in massive 3d stages.
Relive some of the most iconic storylines from the beloved anime series with beautiful cutscenes and intense battle animations.
A must have game for the PSP, and easily a top contender for best anime PSP games of all time.
Would be at the top, if it weren’t for one insanely cool game:
1. Sword Art Online – Infinity Moment (2013)
Here it is, the moment you’ve all been waiting for. The best Anime PSP game is also one of the most beautiful games to come to the PSP: Sword Art Online – Infinity Moment.
This single-player MMORPG has all of the bells and whistles one would expect from a role-playing game (though the title is a bit misleading, as the game does not actually go “online”).
“Infinity Moment” is one of those games that has data all over the screen… which sometimes is overwhelming.
But for the JRPG experienced players, there is something satisfying about all of those systems working side-by-side and watching those experience points add up.
Due to its critical acclaim and popularity, a remake for the PlayStation Vita was also released.
“Infinity Moment” packs hours upon hours of gameplay in a stylish world… it will certainly keep you busy for a very long time.
And we do not see it being topped by any other anime game on the PSP.
So for that reason, we are giving Sword Art Online – Infinity Moment our number one spot on our list of the best anime PSP games.
Anthony has been a video game lover ever since he can remember. He became a fulltime nomad in 2018, living throughout most of Asia. He focused his passion in retro gaming and began creating a game for the Game Boy Color while living in Nara, Japan during the 2020 pandemic. He is now in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where he spends most of his time gaming, going on long walks and meeting as many stray dogs as possible.
