10 Great PPSSPP Games For Modern Players

Last updated: 12/31/2023
5 minutes read

As we enter the mid 2020s, gaming's historical library is bigger than ever. Unfortunately, not all games run natively on modern devices. Over time, new consoles and operating systems make older games incompatible with anything except original hardware. This is where emulation comes in, and it's where PPSSPP games can open the doors to classic play. Check out some of our own games, here below, to enter classic as well as more current games and genres.

PPSSPP is a PSP system emulator. For anyone unaware, an emulator is a program or app that can run games on systems they weren't designed for. These can be mobile games on PC devices, old PC games made compatible for mobiles, or in this instance, games for PPSSPP are PSP games on other systems.

With this emulator, PPSSPP games can run on mobile, PC, laptops, tablets, and much more. Simply download the program, run the configuration process, and you're ready to go.

Why Emulate?

As time goes on, older systems and games fade out of popularity and break due to age. This makes the titles difficult or impossible to play for many users. Emulators give us a way to play otherwise lost games, often with some enhancements that the original titles lacked. With support for better controllers, higher resolutions and frame rates, and improved loading times, emulation is a great solution to the aging systems problem.

With that in mind, on this page, we're going to look at the ten best PPSSPP games users can enjoy today.

Whether you're a PC player or want PPSSPP games for android free of charge, check out our top picks.

Our Top PPSSPP Games 

1. Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

Released in the era of the first Final Fantasy VII resurgence, Crisis Core is one of the PSP's best. Following SOLDIER Zack Fair, this title is an action RPG with unique combat elements which reveals important context to the main game. It's also getting a remaster soon if players want to compare modern titles to PPSSPP games.

2. God of War: Ghost of Sparta

Before his time mellowing out in the woods, Kratos' rage found itself on PSP. Among the best action-heavy PPSSPP games, Ghost of Sparta is remarkably close to the PS2 originals. As one of the finest PPSSPP games to download today, it's still a lot of fun, and it's as much of a spectacle as ever.

3. Castlevania: The Dracula X Chronicles

Some of the best PPSSPP games are remakes, as is the case with this Castlevania entry. Remaking Rondo of Blood, originally from the Turbo-Grafx 16, fans of Metroidvania titles can't miss this one out. It even includes an updated version of Symphony of the Night, one of the most influential titles of all time.

4. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep

Kingdom Hearts lore might be inscrutable today, but there's no denying the fun of the gameplay. One of the best-looking PPSSPP games, Birth by Sleep is an action RPG that combines great gameplay with Disney and Final Fantasy characters into a surprisingly cohesive whole.

5. Patapon 3

Some PPSSPP games download files are smaller but are easily as fun as the big boys. Patapon 3 is one of those PPSSPP games, as a rhythm title blending army building with musical prowess. Create the perfect army, send them into battle, and try to avoid repeating the tune wherever you walk. Reminiscent of modern rhythm iPhone games, Patapon paved the way for many to follow.

6. Tekken: Dark Resurrection

PPSSPP games see their best entry into the King of Iron Fist tournament with Dark Resurrection. Expanding the PS2's Tekken 5, this entry maintains the series' complicated roots, while also offering a user-friendly experience. Plus, where else on the system can a bear fight a ninja?

7. Valkyria Chronicles II

Borrowing inspiration from WW2, Valkyria Chronicles 2 is a tactical RPG with fantasy elements. With different classes and a tank to modify, players do their best to defeat the enemy and reduce their losses. Don't let the anime stylings fool you, this game can get intense in the tougher battles.

8. Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

With the Metal Gear Solid series seeing entries on every PlayStation console, the PSP didn't miss out. Peace Walker continues the story of MGS 3, as one of the PPSSPP games to play heavily into series lore. Setting the stage for MGS 5 in worldbuilding and mechanics, Peace Walker got a lot out of the humble PSP.

9.Persona 3 Portable

The original Persona 3 RPG on PS2 was well-regarded, if occasionally flawed. This update changes things up, adding extra battle control while maintaining the same fighting/social split. PPSSPP games for RPG fans don't get much better than this.

10. Lumines: Puzzle Fusion

Now a long-running series, Lumines is another of the musical PPSSPP games that digs its claws in deep. Playing in a similar vein to Tetris, this falling block game absorbs with its music and colors, as gamers try to survive or achieve a high score.

FAQs

How Can I Download PPSSPP Games?

To download PPSSPP games for Android or any other system you need to know a couple of things. Firstly, emulator game files are called ROMs. Secondly, if a game is still available for purchase, you need to own a copy before you download it, so everything is legal. From here, Google searches can guide you.

Can PPSSPP Run PS3 Or PSX Games?

No. PPSSPP emulator games are only those built from the ground up for the PSP. Just as iOS games don't work on Android, PS3 games don't work on PPSSPP. Even if PPSSPP had PS3 support, the demanding nature of PS3 titles means games wouldn't run well on many systems anyway.

The same can be said about PSX games. This might be a surprise to learn because the original PSP can play modified PS1 files. The PPSSPP emulator is not designed for this, however, so PPSSPP games do not include PSX titles in their library.