How PSP Games Expanded Franchise Universes

One of the smartest moves Sony made with the PSP was using it as a way to expand beloved console franchises in meaningful ways. Rather than simply porting existing titles, developers created original PSP games that SAJI TOTO enriched their larger series’ lore, mechanics, and fan engagement.

Take God of War: Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta—these weren’t scaled-down retellings but full-fledged entries that explored new parts of Kratos’s backstory. These games brought console-quality visuals to the handheld and retained the franchise’s signature combat, giving fans important story context they couldn’t find elsewhere.

Similarly, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker took the tactical stealth mechanics and deep political narrative of the series and successfully adapted them for portable play. It introduced new characters and gameplay systems that directly influenced future console entries like The Phantom Pain. These were more than side projects—they were vital installments in their franchises.

By treating PSP games as valuable extensions of established IPs, Sony created a model for how handheld games can complement, rather than compete with, their console counterparts. Fans were rewarded with deeper stories and more gameplay, while franchises grew in scope and complexity.

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