The fighting game genre has always been one of the most popular genres in the videogame industry and that doesn’t seem to be changing anytime soon. It’s no surprise that the Playstation Portable offers a large library of fighting games. Take a look below at some of the best fighting games on the platform and give them a try.
1. Tekken: Dark Resurrection
| Developer | Namco Bandai Games |
| Release Date | July 25, 2006 |
| Platforms | PSP, PS3 |
One of the most iconic fighting series arrived to the PSP platform with the release of the entry, Tekken: Dark Resurrection. Boasting some of the most realistic, polished graphics on the handheld device. An introduction movie is available for viewing for any moment, crucial to any newcomers that need clarity of the series. Pick one of the many 30 characters on the roster and fight your way through the King of the Iron Fist Tournament to be crowned the champion. Engage in thrilling hand-to-hand combat in 19 stages that feature destructible environments and objects. Master the story mode and take your skills online for the ultimate test.
2. Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects
| Developer | EA Games |
| Release Date | October 4, 2005 |
| Platforms | PSP, PS2 |
Live out the dreams from the Marvel comic books as the greatest of superheroes battle it out in the ultimate test of superpowers, strength, speed and skill. Along with heroes from the Marvel universe, new original heroes were created for this video game in collaboration with EA and some of Marvel’s best comic book writers and artists. The dozens of all-star Marvel characters fight in a set of interactive and destructible arenas. Each character utilizes their own unique set of powers, attributes, and strategy in the many battles to be fought.
3. Mortal Kombat: Unchained
| Developer | Midway |
| Release Date | November 13, 2006 |
| Platforms | PSP |
Regardless of platform, a list of fighting games cannot be complete without any mention of Mortal Kombat, one of the most influential video game franchises of all time. In Mortal Kombat: Unchained, the sixth entry of the series, return to Earth to battle in the tournament against original fighters such as Liu Kang and Johnny Cage. As well as battle against new characters of the series such as Kobra and Dairou. With more than 24 characters to choose from, take your time in playing each one of them or master one kombatant and wreak havoc on anyone is your way. The game also features a unique chess mini-game.
4. Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team
| Developer | Namco Bandai Games |
| Release Date | October 19, 2010 |
| Platforms | PSP |
Jump into the planetary powerful battles as one of your favorite characters of Dragon Ball universe in Dragon Ball Z: Tenkaichi Tag Team. You will not go bored quickly at all with a roster of over a whooping 70 characters to play and customize to your desires. Play in various single player modes that’ll have you on the edge of your seat for hours and hours. The Dragon Walk Mode will put you through the entire Dragon Ball Z saga. Relive the most famous battles from the anime and new fight scenes in increasing difficulty in Battle 100 Mode. Once your ready for the real competition, head over to multiplayer and face some of the worthiest foes possible.
5. WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007
| Developer | THC |
| Release Date | December 6, 2006 |
| Platforms | PSP, PS2, Xbox 360 |
The release of WWE SmackDown vs Raw 2007 introduced the new Analog Control System for more realistic fighting, intuitive movements and many new control elements. More environmental aspects are at the player’s disposal to beat their opponents in more ways than before. Whether it be random weapons to be picked up, or objects taken from the crowd or damage from the environment itself. The outcome of the story is now more in the player’s hands with a deep level of choices to be made and storylines with multiple possibilities and branches in the enhanced Season Mode. Other improvements are high definition graphics and online multiplayer with voice chat.
6. Dissidia 012 Duodecim Final Fantasy
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Release Date | March 21, 2011 |
| Platforms | PSP |
As a prequel and the second game in the series, Dissidia 012 explores the events leading up to Dissidia Final Fantasy. It boasts gameplay improvements from the previous title as well as new characters and arenas. The story tells of the twelfth war between Cosmos, goddess of harmony, and her enemy Chaos, god of discord, before retelling the events of the thirteenth war that occured in Dissidia Final Fantasy.
7. Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX
| Developer | Capcom |
| Release Date | February 7, 2006 |
| Platforms | PSP |
The critically acclaimed fighting game, Street Fighter Alpha 3, arrived to the PSP platform as a direct port in the form of Street Fighter Alpha 3 MAX. The conversion offers original content and features exclusively for the handheld device. For example, the tag team brawls with the Variable Battle Mode, tag one fighter out for another to escape tough situations or mix-up combos. Play with any of the 30 fighters of the roster. Take the battle to multiplayer for classic 1vs1 action or participate in a 8 player tournament.
8. Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover
| Developer | EA Games |
| Release Date | August 29, 2006 |
| Platforms | PSP, PS2 |
The prequel of the hit game Def Jam Vendetta, Def Jam Fight for NY: The Takeover goes over how D-Mob came to rule New York City along with events leading up to Def Jam Vendetta. Play as some of the most popular hip hop artists and celebrities at the time such as Snoop Dogg, Ludacris, Xzibit, Method Man and more. Learn new fighting moves as you take on challengers at different venues and rise up in the crew. Outfit your player with clothing from brands such as Jordan, Reebok, Rocawear and more.
9. Dissidia: Final Fantasy
| Developer | Square Enix |
| Release Date | August 25, 2009 |
| Platforms | PSP |
Developed by the same team that has given the world the KINGDOM HEARTS series brings us the new RPG-like experience of Dissidia: Final Fantasy. Join the fight between the goddess of harmony, Cosmos, and the god of discord, Chaos, in a battle that has lasted for eons. Play with the ultimate roster of fan-favorite characters, both heroes and villains, from all of the Final Fantasy games in an incredible new tale. Dive deep into combat with a brand new action system heavily focused on intense brawls with RPG style character development.
10. Tekken 6
| Developer | Namco Bandai Games |
| Release Date | November 24, 2009 |
| Platforms | PSP |
The King of Iron Fist Tournament returns bigger and bolder than before with the long awaited arrival of Tekken 6. Many familiar characters of the series alongside a few new faces create a large roster of fighters to fight with. Explore the uniqueness of each character. New powerful techniques, fighting moves, and attack combinations are riddled all over the roster. On top of this, character customization is now deeper than ever to make the battles even more interestings and intense. Multiplayer awaits those who are ready for a challenge that not even the Iron Fist Tournament could provide.
11. Dragon Ball Z: Shin Budokai – Another Road
| Developer | Atari |
| Release Date | March 20, 2007 |
| Platforms | PSP |
Explore an exciting, brand new story arc of the Dragon Ball franchise as you embark through the future battles of Trunk’s adventures against his nemesis Majin Buu. An improved fight system along with more than 50 different, new skills and ultimate attacks hypes the already intense battles to new levels.
12. Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower
| Developer | Capcom |
| Release Date | March 24, 2005 |
| Platforms | PSP |
A Canadian snowman, sasquatch, catwoman, vampire, an English werewolf are a few of the interesting monstrosities that are at your command in Darkstalkers Chronicle: The Chaos Tower, also known as the Vampire Chronicle. Enjoy hours and hours of ending fun with the many game modes the game has to offer. Start Arcade Mode for a quick series of battles against numerous enemies. Improve your skills in Training Mode and leave ready to best even the greatest challenges in the game. Fight your way up the mysterious, well guarded tower with three fighters in Tower Mode.
13. Fate/Unlimited Codes
| Developer | Capcom |
| Release Date | September 3, 2009 |
| Platforms | PSP |
A 3D fighting game, based on Fate/stay night, that retells the events and story from the visual novel through the lens of each character by battling against mages and spirits. The game received positive sales and reception in Japan and in the West upon release.
14. Naruto Ultimate Ninja Heroes 2: The Phantom Fortress
| Developer | Namco Bandai Games |
| Release Date | June 24, 2008 |
| Platforms | PSP |
Naruto and friends return in this exciting sequel as a mysterious fortress appears over the Hidden Leaf Village. Unknown of its origins and purpose, the team must work quickly to bring down this phantom fortress before it completely drains all of lifeforce energy from the residents and shinobi of the village. Create your own party of four shinobi to invade the castle and battle through the hundred floors of the fortress. Survive all the intense fighting to enjoy new mini-games and unexpected twists of the story. Customize each member of your team with perks, abilities and items to plow through enemies.
15. The Con
| Developer | SCEA |
| Release Date | October 18, 2005 |
| Platforms | PSP |
Enter the underworld of The Con as you participate in illegal fighting matches and high-betting gambling. Train your fighter and compete in many fights alone or take a team of three and bash the competition using grit and strategy. Learn and improve your fighting moves based on the five different disciplines: boxing, wrestling, kick boxing, tae kwon do and jeet kune do.