The 5 most anticipated PSP games of 2009

It would take someone far more optimistic than me to put much of a positive spin on the number of PSP games currently scheduled for release in 2009.

Despite various Sony bigwigs claiming the hardware's recent rise in sales – particularly in Japan – will bring with it an increase of support from third-party publishers, there doesn't seem to be much evidence of that happening just yet. Certainly, what we've seen of publishers' release schedules for next year looks decidedly PSP-light.

Of course, the situation will hopefully improve as we hurtle through 2009 – it's just that right here, right now, there's not very much on the horizon. While we had to callously prune games out of the 10 most anticipated DS games of 2009 feature, we were left wondering whether to make a few up in order to create a PSP Top 10, or just cull it down to five entries. The latter was decided to be the better option.

Another glimmer of hope is that there are games – such as Tomb Raider Underworld and Ghostbusters – with publishers that have hinted at the possibility of a future PSP release. Plus, of course, there are rumoured titles that may well emerge as being bona fide further along the line, such as Little Big Planet, which if anywhere near the quality of the PS3 game, would be brilliant news for Sony's handheld.

While we wait for this influx of PSP games, though, here are five to keep those pre-orders going. What this list lacks in quantity, we hope you'll agree it delivers in terms of quality.

5. Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? Developer: Nippon Ichi Publisher: TBC Release: 2009 Putting its quirky odd title to one side, Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? is sounding like an interesting game, not least because it features the penguin-a-like character Prinny from the Nippon Ichi Disgaea series in a 2D side-scrolling adventure game all of his own. The game's 2D hand-drawn visuals should appeal to any fan of the series the eponymous hero first appeared in. However niche the concept sounds though, Prinny's adventure also seems like a pretty accessible one for all. Not to mention super cute.
4. Monster Hunter Freedom Unite Developer: Capcom Publisher: Capcom Release: Spring 2009 The Monster Hunter series which initially began on PS2 has since shifted focus to PSP, much to the delight of millions of Japanese gamers who have flocked to buy the games in their millions. Monster Hunter Portable Second G (this game's Japanese title) had shipped 2.4 million units alone at last count. It's taken a while for Capcom to make the decision to localise the game for the west, but it's finally coming. Set in a fantasy world, players can team up with others to hunt down deadly monsters for posterity and profit. It's got thousands of items and weapons, new monsters, 400 levels and faster loading than previous games. Talking of those previous games, we've never rated them that highly. Hopefully Monster Hunter Freedom Unite will be the one that shows us what all the fuss is about.
3. Phantasy Star Portable Developer: Alfa System Publisher: Sega Release: 2009 Based on Sega's best-selling sci-fi RPG series, Phantasy Star Portable is similar in approach to Capcom's insanely popular Monster Hunter titles in that you form up teams with other players and set out into a hostile futuristic world in search of adventure and rewards. Over 150 weapons, PSP-exclusive items, four races, three class types and a whole lot of enemy slaying awaits in the game, which takes place just after the events in Phantasy Star Universe. An ad-hoc co-op mode promises to enable players to team up with three others and other new features for the RPG include 'hardcore features' which include unlockable titles won by achieving difficult goals. The series proved itself as brilliant back in the days of Dreamcast –we're expecting good things now it's portable and connectible with other players.
2. Patapon 2 Developer: Pyramid Publisher: Sony Release: Spring 2009 The original Patapon marched to the beat of a whole new drum when released in early 2008. Part strategy game, part rhythm one, the tribal themed trek through weird and wonderful worlds that are a challenge for Sony's other quirky best-seller LocoRoco, had gamers tapping their feet while embarking on battles with a whole host of crazy wildlife. Most exciting new feature for Patapon 2 is a four-player multiplayer mode. Sony is also promising double the content and that it will address the up-and-down nature of the game's difficulty level first time around. With LocoRoco 2 keeping PSP gamers happy over Christmas, Patapon 2 should be blessed relief mid-year from the deluge of ports and RPGs clambering for space on PSP.
1. Resistance: Retribution Developer: Sony Bend Publisher: Sony Release: Spring 2009 PSP owners in the west are crying out for games like Resistance. Admittedly Resistance: Retribution is a third-person action shooter, which doesn't make it sound that special. But importantly, it's got the triple-A first-party production of Sony behind it, not to mention the backing of an already well-known series on PS3. The screenshots are already showing the game is luscious to look at. Just as much of a talking point though is its use of the DualShock 3 as a control method. Players can, of course, stick to PSP controls, but connecting up a PS3 pad will offer a more pinpoint accurate shooting experience. It's talking the talk and innovating in new ways. For that reason, Resistance: Retribution is undoubtedly the number one PSP game to watch out for in 2009.