With thousands of titles released across PlayStation’s many consoles and handhelds, it’s inevitable that some great games flew under the radar. While everyone knows the blockbuster franchises—Uncharted, Final Fantasy, Gran pianototo Turismo—there are many lesser-known PlayStation and PSP games that deserve just as much praise. These hidden gems may not have broken sales records, but they offer unique gameplay, storytelling, and artistic value that easily place them among the best games on the platform.

On the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3, many titles were overshadowed by major releases but still stand out years later. Okami, with its watercolor art style and mythical storytelling, is one such example. It struggled commercially at launch but is now recognized as a masterpiece. Folklore on PS3, an action-RPG with a deep fantasy setting and dual narrative paths, delivered one of the most original experiences of its generation, despite its limited marketing.

The PSP, too, had its fair share of underrated classics. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together brought deep, tactical RPG mechanics and a branching story that gave players real agency. The 3rd Birthday, part of the Parasite Eve universe, offered a unique combat system and haunting narrative. Then there was Pangya: Fantasy Golf, a surprisingly addictive sports game with charming characters and depth. These PSP games may not have made every top-ten list, but they offered something special that stayed with those who played them.

Rediscovering these hidden gems is one of the joys of revisiting the PlayStation and PSP libraries. As modern gaming leans heavily on sequels and familiar IPs, these lesser-known titles remind us of the risks and creativity that defined earlier generations. The best games aren’t always the ones that sold the most—they’re often the ones that dared to be different, even if only a few players noticed at the time.