Many of us are familiar with the PlayStation Portable (PSP) by Sony. It is one of the most sought-out handheld consoles back in the mid-2000s. With an estimated 80 to 82 million units sold worldwide, there is no doubt about it — it is one, if not the most, popular handheld consoles of all time. Too bad, the said console is not being produced anymore. It has aged well and it still is a great console up until now. The great news is that you can now get the best PSP emulator for your Android phone. At long last, you can relive those memories of playing and twisting your fingers on your PSP through your Android phone.
In this article, we’ll dive into the best PSP emulators and the games you must play with your PSP emulator.
Also read: Best Android emulator for pc
Get To Know What a PSP Emulator Is
Emulators are already around since the advent of PCs. These programs imitate how your operating system or consoles work. This software is usually made on platforms outside the gaming world such as phones and PCs. You can even emulate the Android system on your PC.
Since PSP and Android phones differ in hardware and software architecture, expect your PSP emulator to run differently on your Android phones. This may run slower on your Android phone, but the experience of reliving those memories will never be the same. And if you want to add up more nostalgia, you can download PS1 emulators for your Android phone as well.
8 Best PSP Emulators for Android
Without further ado, we bring to you our top 15 picks for PSP emulators. Get ready to experience the best PSP games on your Android phone today!
| 1. PPSSPP Free | 6. John GBA Emulator |
| 2. Lemuroid | 7. Enjoy PSP Emulator |
| 3. Emulator PSP for Mobile Pro Version | 8. PSP DOWNLOAD: Emulator and Game Premium |
| 4. RetroArch | |
| 5. Rocket PSP Emulator |
1. PPSSPP Free
PPSSPP has established itself to be the gold standard of PSP emulators for Android. Up until now, PPSSPP is still the number one PSP emulator out there. The majority of developers even emulate this emulator, thanks to its almost-perfect rendering of any PSP game. This emulator may be ad-supported, but it is almost perfect for your PSP gaming.
2. Lemuroid
Lemuroid is considered the direct competitor for RetroArch in terms of supporting different types of consoles including PSP. However, Lemuroid might include a little learning curve in contrast to other PSP emulators. This is because you need to download the cores separately for the games you wish to play in order for this emulator to work. All things considered, we think this emulator is worth the try considering how it delivers. In terms of performance compatibility, Lemuroid can directly compete against PPSSPP.
3. Emulator PsP for Mobile Pro Version
Emulator PSP for Mobile Pro Version delivers an immense PSP gaming experience directly on your Android device. This emulator is 100% free and playing the games will give you crisp and visually dynamic graphic quality. Similar to other emulators, Emulator PSP for Mobile Pro Version supports a bevy of ROMs that you can install to play. Morever, this emulator will allow you to control the way you can play, has smart saving options, and is compatible with a number of titles among others.
4. RetroArch
RetroArch is the all-in-one PSP emulator for your Android device. It has all the good classic consoles that can be emulated from the SNES to the PSP. Just ensure that you download the right plugin, particularly the PSP plugin, and you’re all good to go. We just wish more PSP games will be compatible with this emulator. This all-in-one emulator holds great potential for any retro console games out there.
5. Rocket PSP Emulator
Rocket PSP Emulator is a budding PSP emulator based on the open-source software PPSSPP. It has got the same features as the PPSSPP — save states, software controller, and great compatibility with most of your PSP games. Since it is still brand new, expect it to be somewhat buggy. But this can be a good backup emulator if things go wrong with PPSSPP.
6. John GBA Emulator
One of the working PSP emulators in 2022 for Android devices is John GBA. This emulator works for Android 4.1 and above. This ensures you get smooth performance and experience when using this emulator. One limitation of this emulator is that you can’t play the game if you do not own the game files you are trying to emulate using this app on your Android device. John GBA has two options: Lite and paid versions. Of course, the paid version has more key features than its Lite counterpart. Nonetheless, they both deliver.
7. Enjoy PSP Emulator
Lightweight does not mean it’s not powerful. The Enjoy PSP Emulator is one of the best lightweight options for your Android phone. It runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, meaning this is one of the most accessible PSP emulators for most Android users. On top of that, it can gain a high FPS that can imitate the likes of the original PSP. That is one great PSP emulator for your gaming fix.
8. PSP DOWNLOAD: Emulator and Game Premium
PSP download serves two purposes: (1) as a PSP emulator and (2) as a PSP game downloader. This emulator will allow you to play video games made popular by the actual PSP console directly from your Android smartphone device. Based on user reports, the controls on this emulator are user-friendly, easy to get around, and free of lags. This is particularly a positive thing to have especially for an emulator that promises support for high-end PSP games.
Can I Use PSP Emulators Legally?
Before you get giddy about playing your PSP games on your Android emulator, you should know the repercussions of playing these games on your Android device, including some legal stuff. It is pretty obvious that PSP games may be difficult to play, from hardware compatibility to legal issues. You may stumble upon law enforcement when using PSP emulators on your phone.
So, we should ask ourselves, “Is it legal to use a PSP emulator on my phone?” Yes, it is completely legal to use PSP emulators and play games on your phone. An emulator only imitates what the PSP console can do. But it does not fully copy PSP’s software architecture. This will not require you to purchase the original console. Playing and downloading PSP ROMs are also completely legal. Just don’t sell them online through third-party vendors or you can face legal charges. You can be charged for piracy if you do such an action.
How to Use PSP Emulators?
Now, let’s get into action. Using any of these PSP Emulators is easy. Gather all your PSP games and get ready to replay your favorite PSP games. Firstly you need to gather these files:
- PSP Android emulator of your choice
- A phone that has at least 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB of storage, and an octa-core processor (Snapdragon preferred)
- PSP ROMs with a.iso or .cso file extension
- PC (optional for safer file transfer)
Once you have collected these files, do the following steps:
- Compile your games into one folder, then put it on your phone or external storage. If you are using a PC, copy the folder where your games are stored and transfer it to your phone through a USB cord.
- Open your Android emulator. Allow the emulator to access your local storage when the prompt appears.
- Open the .iso or .cso file, then enjoy playing the game.
Unlike its other bigger brothers, there is no need to download any BIOS file on your phone. This lessens the complication of playing your PSP games on your phone. Just play hard and game hard!
Best PSP Games for Your PSP Emulator
If you are still unsure where to start, here is our compiled list of the best PSP games you can play. You’ll never drop your phone as you play these games.
1. God of War: Ghost of Sparta
Play as Kratos, the god of war in Greek Mythology in this game series, God of War: Ghost of Sparta. Get your vengeance as you recall the bitter memories of your past life. Engage in a bloody war against your enemies — humans and gods alike, with a storyline full of twists and surprise elements.
2. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories
Living a gangster life is the main theme of all games in the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series, and GTA: Vice City Stories is no exception. This spin-off from the original GTA: Vice City is the most perfect GTA game for the PSP, with all the best graphics and topsy-turvy storylines. Fight against all odds in building your vast empire.
3. Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep
A prequel to the original Kingdom Hearts, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep is a role-playing game (RPG) that lets you fight with melee weapons or magic spells. Join Terra, Aqua, and Ventus on their adventures to find Master Xehanort. Jump into the action with its immersive Command Link and D-Link mechanics that unlocks the full potential of this game.
4. Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core
Another RPG we recommend is Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core. It lets you play the character of the deadly Zack Fair. Perfecting the control combinations is the key to completing the game. As challenges get more difficult, you will have to face tougher enemies and a more intense pressing of your countrols. Defend the Shinra Corporation against the people of Wutai with Zack Fair.
5. Patapon 3
Combine the popular rhythm game for PC “osu!” with the elements of RPG, and you’ll get Patapon 3. This rhythm game lets you fight with the Patapons against the Seven Evil Archfiends. But this is not the typical RPG that lets you just fidget with random buttons. As we have already said, fighting against the Archfiends will depend on your rhythmic beats. Have fun brawling against the Archfiends while enjoying the beat of the drum.
Where to Download PSP Games?
Here are the safest websites where you can download the best PSP games for your PSP emulator. These sites offer an extensive library of games, not just for your PSP emulators but also for your PS1, PS2, and Nintendo DS emulators. The best thing is that most of these websites let you download these PSP games for free.
CoolROM
One of the websites you can browse on is CoolROM. Don’t get intimidated by its dark-themed website, for it stores a large number of PSP games at your disposal. It also looks like you are back from the mid-2000s. But who cares about that when you got an extensive library of PSP games?
Emuparadise
Another website where you can download PSP games is Emuparadise. Just like the first website, this ROM library takes you back to the mid-2000s, but it has a stash of a ton of PSP games you can download on your phone.
Gamulator
Gamulator’s library may not be extensive yet, but you’ll get your games safely with a unique virus and malware scan before every download. No need to worry about putting some sneaky snoopers on your phone.
Rom Hustler
This website provides customer reviews for each PSP ROMs. It gives you a perspective of what to expect in the game plus the overall experience with the game when used with emulators. No more worrying about being scammed by unstable PSP ROMS.
Pspshare.org
Pspshare.org offers a clean interface when downloading PSP games. This website is a purely dedicated website for PSP ROMS. Here you can download games for your PSP emulator, and it provides alternative links for downloads.
Still Undecided Which Is The Best PSP Emulator?
Reeling from the success of PSP comes emulators for your Android phone. With a load of games catered to the PSP, these games will surely give you a new experience for your Android device. The graphics may not be at par with modern devices, and the controls may be confusing to your eyes, but these game mechanics allow you to relive that nostalgia you once had in your childhood days. These emulators also allow you to play games you have once dreamt of playing. At last, you don’t need to bring out a lot of money just to play these “dream games.”
If you want to play PS2 games on your Android devices, check out our guide on the best PS2 emulators. Prepare your stash of PlayStation games and play them in the palm of your hands now.
