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.
10. Hunter X Hunter: Wonder Adventure
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.
9. Digimon World Re:Digitize
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.
8. Black Rock Shooter
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.
7. Corpse Party: Book of Shadows
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.
6. Persona 3 Portable
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
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 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
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
Now that title 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
Naruto is an undeniable force when it comes to anime games, no matter what the console.
“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
One of the most beautiful anime 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.
