16 Best PlayStation Portable Sports Games

Sports games have grown in popularity over the years, providing both the best arcade experience and one of the most realistic approaches for simulation fans. In terms of sports titles, the PlayStation Portable did not disappoint, capitalizing on its great portable form and immersive graphical capabilities.

In today’s list, we’ll look through a selection of sports titles that pushed the boundaries of handheld sports gaming. Whether you want intense arcade sports or a realistic sports game that will put your talents to the test, we have you covered with a list of the best sports titles on the mighty Sony PSP.

Pro Evolution Soccer® 2012 2011

About
	Release Date September 27, 2011
	Developer Konami
	Publisher Konami
	Franchise eFootball Pro Evolution Soccer
	Genre Soccer
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Isometric
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players 1v1, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PSP Releases
2011-10-03
2011-10-28
2011-11-03
2011-11-08
2011-11-17

Pro Evolution Soccer has unfortunately lost its glory during the last years, but way back during the PSP golden era this series was one of the best examples of a soccer game done right. While the PES series has produced multiple games for the PSP device, I chose 2012 because it was the final game to be released and hence contains the greatest content and gameplay. If you’re new to the PES series, this game puts the soccer dream in your hands; you may play solo matches, form your ideal squad, compete in the master league, or even coach an existing team to triumph.

During matches, you may control the entire team as well as your player roaster. You can alter strategies, player locations, and many other things to reach your goals. Outside of matches, you may manage your team’s budget, add and remove players, transfer new players to your team and so much more. Visually the game is fine, I mean it’s not that great compared to its console counterpart but it still offers a decent experience if you consider the portability of the device. Overall, Pro Evolution Soccer is a terrific series to start with if you’re new to soccer games; if my test piqued your curiosity, I strongly recommend getting the 2012 version.

FIFA Street 2 2006

About
	Release Date February 08, 2006
	Developer EA Vancouver
	Publisher EA Sports
	Franchise EA Sports™ FIFA
	Genre Soccer
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Top-Down
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Canada

PSP Releases
2006-02-28
2006-03-03
2006-05-04
2006-08-13

Fifa Street is a spin-off of the well-known soccer series FIFA; this game takes soccer outside of the massive stadium and introduces it to rural and street settings, where you may combine soccer with acrobatic talents and forgiving rules. The player can take part in a mini-soccer game in which a small team of players competes against another team. The goal is to reach the goal and score, but you can do it by displaying incredible acrobatic skills, immaculate dodging, and so much more. You can also build your own dream team by choosing from a huge selection of star players, players as Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Pelé, Christiano Ronaldo and so many more. If you’re looking for a way to play a soccer game outside of the generic ones like FIFA and PES I hugely recommend checking this out.

Hot Shot Golf Open Tee / Hot Shot Golf Open Tee 2 2004 / 2007

About
	Full Name Hot Shots Golf™ Open Tee
	Release Date December 12, 2004
	Developer Clap Hanz
	Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
	Franchise Hot Shots Golf / Everybody's Golf™
	Genre Golf
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PSP Releases
2004-12-12
2005-05-03
2005-09-01

About
	Full Name Hot Shots Golf™ Open Tee 2
	Release Date December 06, 2007
	Developer Clap Hanz
	Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
	Franchise Hot Shots Golf / Everybody's Golf™
	Genre Golf
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PSP Releases
2007-12-06
2008-03-03
2008-03-26
2008-06-11

The Hot Shot Golf series provides an incredible casual golf experience for players of all skill levels. The Sony PSP received two great exclusive titles that unquestionably bring the best arcade experience on the Sony PSP. Players can select from a wide range of colorful characters, each with their own distinct traits and stats. Both games provide a unique blend of arcade and realism in which you can properly control the ball; this incredible feature invites players of all skill levels to join in on the fun and try their luck.

Both games provide a wide range of golf terrains, each with its own distinct look and challenge to overcome. Open Tee 2 included character customization, allowing you to customize your appearance and equipment before each golf course. Aside from the single-player experience, both games have a diverse range of multiplayer options in which you can interact with other PSP players locally. Visually, the cartoonish graphics were a great visual decision that took advantage of the PSP’s unique capabilities.

EA Sports™ Madden NFL 08 2007

About
	Release Date August 14, 2007
	Developer EA Tiburon
	Publisher EA Sports
	Franchise EA Sports™ Madden NFL
	Genre Football
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Isometric
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players 1v1, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

PSP Releases
2007-08-14
2007-08-23
2007-08-24

NFL fans will feel right at home with Madden NFL 08 since it was the best game in terms of gameplay and graphics for the PSP and provided the best way to enjoy the franchise. With a realistic approach and challenging mechanics for die-hard fans, the game faithfully captured the excitement of playing American football. from player physics to playbook tactics. Fans could control plays, carry out passes, make tackles, and watch the highs and lows of an NFL season from the palm of their hands.

As the game progresses, the player can control his dream team, alter the roster, add new players, and lead them to the glory of the Super Bowl. This version provided the greatest graphics you could experience with a sharp image, consistent framerates, and realistic terrains, despite the hardware limitations. In addition to the single-player mode, local multiplayer is now supported, allowing you to play ad hoc 1v1 matches with friends. Overall, Madden NFL 08 is an excellent introduction to the franchise on the Playstation Portable; if you enjoy American football, I highly recommend it.

Virtua Tennis™ 3 2007

About
	Release Date March 08, 2007
	Developer SEGA
	Publisher SEGA
	Franchise Virtua Tennis
	Genre Tennis
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Online PvP, Single Player, Split-Screen PvP
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PSP Releases
2007-03-30

Virtua Tennis 3 continues a long successful run of great tennis games with one of the best arcade tennis experiences on the PSP. The player takes on the role of various well-known tennis stars, competing in numerous events and challenges to hone their talents. The game shines most in the career mode, with great gameplay that allows you to create your own character.

Creating your own player allows you to join the adventure to become the very best tennis player. You may train by playing numerous mini-games, purchase new clothing, unique rackets with greater stats, and befriend real-life tennis celebrities to help you reach the pinnacle of the tennis industry. Graphically, it doesn’t get any better than this; developers knew just how to develop for this tiny system, resulting in one of the best-looking games on the Sony PSP. Overall, this is an excellent introduction to the series, with solid gameplay and beautiful graphics despite the limited hardware.

WWE® SmackDown® VS Raw® 2007 2006

About
	Release Date January 25, 2006
	Developer Yuke's
	Publisher THQ
	Franchise WWE® 2K
	Genre Wrestling
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Isometric
	Interaction Real-Time
	Concept Martial Arts
	Players 1v1, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PSP Releases
2006-12-06
2006-12-15
2006-12-23
2007-02-22

Yuke’s studio knows exactly how to win over wrestling fans’ hearts by combining authentic content with the bright minds of Japanese engineers. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 was the height of wrestling deliciousness on the PSP, with so much content to enjoy and one of the best visuals out of all versions on the PSP. The game featured a massive list of WWE wrestlers such as John Cena, The Undertaker, Triple H, The Rock, and many more iconic wrestlers.

The gameplay improves on its predecessor with an easy-to-play, difficult-to-master system that allows you to perform numerous moves, grapple, punch, and kick your opponents. The Ultimate Control grappling System has been added to this edition, providing more responsive grappling techniques and in-depth animation that replicates its real-life equivalent. The season mode is also packed with events that follow a long storyline of rivalries, iconic matches, and unexpected plot twists. On the whole, WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 is an amazing portable addition to the huge franchise, wrestling fans are hugely advised to pick this up.

Football Manager Handheld 2009 2008 Handheld Adaptation

About
	Release Date November 14, 2008 Initial Release: November 14, 2008
	Developer Sports Interactive
	Publisher SEGA
	Genre Sports Management
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Top-Down
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United Kingdom

PSP Releases
2008-11-14

Football Manager 09 is a handheld adaption of the highly anticipated exclusive PC game. The creators did an excellent job with this port since they know just how to capture the hearts of fans while scaling down the massive game to fit in the palm of every fan’s hand. The game’s goal is to create an authentic football management simulation, hence it includes a large number of teams, options, and seasons to play. You take on the role of a team manager, managing the budget and modifying plans, formations, and playstyles to your satisfaction.

You can also scout young talent and bring them to your squad. Afterward, you can manage the younger players, observe their training, and track their development on a daily basis. Although the match engine is vastly inferior to that of the PC version, you are nevertheless treated to a great text-based simulation that will keep you involved with your squad from start to finish. Aside from the extensive single-player mode, the game also has an excellent multiplayer mode in which you can play locally versus a friend using the ad hoc feature. While the game is plainly inferior to its PC counterpart, I highly suggest it as a standalone portable version of Football Manager, particularly for strategy and management lovers.

SSX On Tour 2005

About
	Release Date October 11, 2005
	Developer EA Vancouver
	Publisher EA Sports
	Franchise SSX
	Genre Snowboarding
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Canada

PSP Releases
2005-10
2005-10-28
2005-11-11

SSX On Tour is the best-of-the-best edition of the iconic SSX series. Putting you in the shoes of a snowboarder and allowing you to compete in various snowboarding contests while upgrading your powers and customizing your character to your taste. The trick system was one of the key features that the SSX series gave, and this game did not disappoint, giving an excellent trick system that accumulated all of the previous game’s expertise, delivering a responsive control and a very entertaining trick system for both old and new fans.

In terms of single-player, the game allows you to join an in-depth career mode where you may build your own snowboarder and personalize it with various equipment, boards, and so on. To proceed through the game, you had to complete various challenges, compete in tournaments, and earn sponsors. On the whole, SSX on Tour is a good introduction to the series, especially if you’re looking for a snowboarding game to play on the go.

NFL Street 3 2006

About
	Release Date February 01, 2006
	Developer EA Tiburon
	Publisher EA Sports
	Genre Football
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Top-Down
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

PSP Releases
2006-02-01
2006-11-14
2007-02-02

Compared to the main game series, NFL Street 3 offered a different approach. This incredible game transferred the realistic tone of American football to the street where players could engage in a variety of acrobatic feats, mind-blowing tricks, and maneuvers to outwit their opponents. Street Battle, Street School, and Own the City were among the various game modes offered in the title. You can learn the fundamentals of the distinctive gameplay in Street School, and you can take part in a variety of exhibition matches in Street Battle. Create your own player in Own the City, develop his abilities, and equip him with various items as you guide him to the football street goodness glory.

The trick system is unique to the game; mastering it is critical to your victory due to the fact that it allows you to easily dodge your opponents and score outstanding acrobatic goals. Local multiplayer is also supported through the ad-hoc features, allowing another friend to join in on the fun. The game’s visuals were clearly inferior to its console counterpart, but it did the job with a vibrant look and consistent framerates. Overall, this game is an excellent addition to the NFL series. If you’re tired of playing the main branch of NFL games and want to try something a little more wacky and unrealistic, I highly recommend checking this out.

Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip™ 2010

About
	Release Date February 25, 2010
	Developer Clap Hanz
	Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
	Franchise Hot Shots Golf / Everybody's Golf™
	Genre Golf
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Third-Person
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Japan

PSP Releases
2010-02-25
2010-03-29
2010-06-18
2010-06-30

In comparison to Virtua Tennis, Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip provides a simple and approachable tennis game that can be played by players of all skill levels and ages. Hot Shots Tennis is an outstanding spin-off game that catches the heart of the original game and wonderfully converts it to the tennis arena. Like the main series, one of the game’s key highlights is the cartoonish art style; the player can choose from a range of playable characters, each with their own distinct appearance and playstyle.

Several game modes are available to keep the player busy including a training mode to hone your skills, an arcade mode where you can hop in on a series of tennis matches, and a challenge mode where you can take a series of challenges across the tennis field. Additionally, you can also customize existing characters with new outfits, rackets, and accessories as you progress through the game. The game’s graphics are faithful to the main series, with a comical and bright art style that complements the PSP technology nicely.

EA Sports™ FIFA 11 2010

About
	Release Date September 28, 2010
	Developer EA Vancouver
	Publisher EA Sports
	Franchise EA Sports™ FIFA
	Genre Soccer
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Isometric
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players 1v1, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Canada

PSP Releases
2010-09-28
2010-09-30
2010-10-01

Fifa 11 followed the legacy of its predecessors by giving a realistic soccer experience with one of the most massive licensed teams, championships, and stadiums in gaming history. The game sought to provide an authentic representation of soccer with fluid player actions, accurate ball physics, and strategic gameplay. There are several game modes available, including traditional exhibition matches, training mode, and career mode. In career mode, the player can lead his own team to victory by winning the league, cups, and adding stronger players after each season. Visually, the game is a technical marvel, with a clean visual and consistent framerates, offering one of the best-looking soccer games on the system.

EA Sports™ NBA Live 06 2005

About
	Release Date September 26, 2005
	Developer EA Vancouver
	Publisher EA Sports
	Franchise EA Sports™ NBA Live
	Genre Basketball
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Isometric
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players 1v1, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Canada

PSP Releases
2005-10-04
2005-10-28
2005-12-15
2005-12-21

Although NBA Live 06 was an early PSP game, subsequent games in the series were unable to match the essence of this incredible game with its unique gameplay and vast roster of playable teams. The game attempted to capture the essence of basketball sports by providing a realistic experience in which you may dribble, pass, shoot, and defend with precision. The game included a plethora of game options such as quick games, mini-games, and season modes.

In season mode, you can guide your chosen team to victory by managing players, trades, drafts, and finances. Visually, the game’s graphics were stunning, featuring realistic player models and beautifully drawn stadiums. The presentation closely mimicked NBA television broadcasts, which increased the game’s realism and immersion. All in all, this is a perfect introduction to the NBA series, allowing you to enjoy the glory of basketball games on the go, anytime, anywhere.

Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Remix 2005 Enhanced Port

About
	Release Date March 15, 2005 Initial Release: October 04, 2004
	Developer Neversoft
	Publisher Activision
	Franchise Tony Hawk
	Genre Skateboarding
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

PSP Releases
2005-03-15
2005-09-01

Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 Remix follows in the footsteps of its predecessor by presenting an outrageous arcade skateboarding game. The user can select from a number of skateboarder celebrities, including Tony Hawk and many more others. You can start on many stages, completing tricks and facing numerous challenges. The game’s simple controls make it accessible to both beginners and experienced series fans.

The player starts on a lengthy adventure through the story mode, following a hilarious and outlandish tale while adhering to the series’ hard levels and trick system. Players could design and personalize their own skateboarders by choosing their appearance, clothing, and skateboarding equipment. Content-wise, the game included levels from prior Tony Hawk games, which provided nostalgia for longstanding series fans. Overall, Tony Hawk’s Underground 2 Remix is by far the greatest skating game on the system, offering a well-crafted game that can be played on the go.

NBA Street Showdown 2005

About
	Release Date April 25, 2005
	Developer Electronic Arts
	Publisher Electronic Arts
	Genre Basketball
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

PSP Releases
2005-04-25
2005-09-01

As a launch title game, NBA Street Showdown was a tech demo showing what the PSP is capable of. This incredible game recreates the atmosphere of street basketball by allowing you to make insane movements, dribbles, and fantastic acrobatic moves. The game included a roster of NBA stars, as well as the possibility to design your personalized player. Creating your player allows you to form your own squad and lead it to victory in street basketball competitions. There are several options for customization, including your logo, name, and squad.

MLB 2006 April, 2005 TBC

About
	Release Date April, 2005 TBC
	Developer 989 Studios
	Publisher Sony Interactive Entertainment
	Genre Baseball
	Players Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin United States

PSP Releases

MLB intended to provide a realistic simulation of real-life baseball games, and they mostly succeeded. With basic controls, the game provided an accurate baseball experience that included pitching, batting, fielding, and base running. MLB licensing expanded the bundle by including all 30 MLB teams’ entire rosters from the 2006 season. There were numerous game modes in the game, including quick matches, tournaments, and seasons.

You can play a complete season in season mode, managing your team and eventually leading them to victory. In addition to the licensed content, the player could design their own squad to add a personal touch to the game. While MLB 06 was an early PSP title, it nonetheless provided one of the best baseball experiences on the handheld, offering numerous hours of playtime and a simple pick-up-and-play game.

EA Sports™ FIFA 10 2009

About
	Release Date October 01, 2009
	Developer EA Vancouver
	Publisher EA Sports
	Franchise EA Sports™ FIFA
	Genre Soccer
	Graphics 3D
	Perspective Isometric
	Interaction Real-Time
	Players 1v1, Single Player
	Monetization Buy to Play
	Country of Origin Canada

PSP Releases
2009-10-01
2009-10-02
2009-10-20

Compared to the PES series, FIFA aimed more at a realistic approach with challenging gameplay and a huge licensed roster of national teams and clubs. The game had official licenses from several soccer leagues and teams, including the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and others. This allowed gamers to select their preferred club or national team, complete with exact player rosters and team uniforms.

The game has numerous game modes, including manager mode, exhibition matches, cups, and many more.  In manager mode, you can play as the manager of your favorite team. As the manager, you may manage your own squad, bring in new players, and, of course, play league matches as well as compete in national events. Visually, the game is a fantastic demonstration of what the PSP is capable of, with sharp images and a genuine aspect to both the players and stadiums. whether you’re a FIFA series fan or not, I hugely recommend checking the series on the PSP if you like soccer games.