We already published the list of best PSP games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PSP turn-based strategy games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the PSP definitely has a great library of turn-based strategy games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the PSP and turn-based strategy games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Generation of Chaos
- Release Data: Idea Factory/NIS America, 2006
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
Your enjoyment of the game will depend on how much time you’re willing to spend getting into it, and on how much you enjoy strategy games in general.
If you manage to stick with it, you’ll find a lot to enjoy about Generation of Chaos, despite its technical flaws.
#24. Dungeons & Dragons Tactics
- Release Data: Kuju Entertainment/Atari SA, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
What’s impressive about Dungeons & Dragons Tactics is the fact that the game manages to cram almost every aspect of the pen and paper franchise onto a small game.
If you’re a D&D fan or veteran, there is an interesting game to be found here, but you are definitely going to have to wade through some issues to find it.
#23. Marvel Trading Card Game
- Release Data: Vicious Cycle/Konami, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Card Battle
Marvel Trading Card Game is a pretty good game for its small problems.
However, this is not the type of game you can just pick and play for a few minutes but need to devote a chunk of time to it.
Overall, Marvel Trading Card Game is worth a look if your interested in this type of strategy turn based game.
#22. The Lord of the Rings: Tactics
- Release Data: Amaze Entertainment/EA Games, 2005
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
While the battle sequences from the movie trilogy would lend themselves perfectly to a strategy game, this one just isn’t put together well enough to do full justice to the franchise.
But you still might want to check it out if you’re itching for a PSP strategy game and need a way to kill some time while on the go.
#21. Aedis Eclipse: Generation of Chaos
- Release Data: Idea Factory, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
The design complexity of this game will only be seriously attractive to hardcore strategy RPG nerds or fans of extremely detailed strategy games.
So, if you can make peace with the likelihood of needing the tutorial missions to fully understand this game, then give Aedis Eclipse a try.
#20. Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle
- Release Data: Nippon Ichi Software, 2011
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
All told, there is a lot to like here for strategy RPG fans.
But unfortunately, it isn’t the best starting point for those looking to try out an strategy RPG for the first time.
There are far more approachable entries in the genre with much less complex and more forgiving systems.
#19. Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command
- Release Data: RedLynx/THQ, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
As it is, excellent presentation, accessible simplicity, satisfyingly deformable terrain, thrillingly escalating hostilities, and a comprehensive range of superb multiplayer modes help save the day and make Squad Command just about worthwhile.
However, with a little more fine-tuning, Warhammer 40,000: Squad Command might have been a winner.
#18. Wild ARMs XF
- Release Data: Media Vision/SCEI, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
If you are an experienced strategy gamer and a role-playing game fan, this might be just the thing you need to get the adrenaline flowing, but anyone who hasn’t experienced the simpler games might be better off seeking out a copy of Disgaea.
#17. R-Type Command
- Release Data: Irem, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
Despite being a turn-based strategy game, R-Type Command still uses the side-scrolling aesthetic for their maps.
Also, the game boasts 58 levels and over 100 different units.
Couple that with clever map design and you have an amazing strategy game with a ton of depth and an enjoyable story that has a great twist.
#16. Gungnir
- Release Data: Sting/Atlus, 2012
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
Gungnir has a wonderful art style and the gameplay also stands out for one unique mechanic called the “Tactics Gauge” which has a pool of points that can be used for various functions.
The game sports a rich narrative, moreover, there are multiple endings which will give you a ton of incentive for multiple playthroughs.
#15. Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time
- Release Data: Career Soft/Atlus, 2012
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
Growlanser: Wayfarer of Time is notable for its interesting choices for game mechanics.
It takes out the traditional grid-based movement system and replaces it with a circular area in which to move your units.
The story is also stellar, moreover, there are 40 different endings that you can unlock so there’s plenty of reasons to go back for more.
#14. Worms: Open Warfare
- Release Data: Team 17/THQ, 2006
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Artillery
Worms: Open Warfare is a fun time, just like the other games that came before.
The worm sprites are animated and quirky and customizable and the stages look amazing.
If you haven’t tried Worms: Open Warfare yet, play it with a few friends and enjoy the mayhem.
#13. Invizimals
- Release Data: Novarama/SCEE, 2010
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Card Battle
Invizimals has an augmented reality slant to its gameplay.
Instead of wandering around the overworld on your screen and fight random enemies, you actually use the PSP’s camera to hone in on your monsters and trap them.
With over 100 Invizimals to collect and secrets to uncover, there is no shortage of fun to be had.
#12. Worms: Battle Islands
- Release Data: Team 17, 2010
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Artillery
Worms: Battle Islands doesn’t deviate from the Worms formula, however, it is designed specifically to take advantage of the PSP’s controls.
The single-player campaign has 30 missions that will allow you to unlock your customization options and PvP is still the highlight of the game, allowing you to pit your wits against other players.
#11. Yggdra Union: We’ll Never Fight Alone
- Release Data: Sting, 2008
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
Yggdra Union: We’ll Never Fight Alone is a great game with a deep and interesting story that provides a compelling moral choice in gameplay.
The PSP version also includes even more story content and characters making it the most comprehensive version available.
Definitely pick up the PSP version if you can.
#10. Metal Gear Acid
- Release Data: Konami, 2005
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Card Battle
Metal Gear Acid is an interesting game, even by Metal Gear standards.
It is a strategy game, but it is set up like a collectible card game in addition to the turn-based combat.
With its unique gameplay setup and a story worthy of the Metal Gear moniker, it’s worth picking up for Metal Gear fans and strategy game fans alike.
#9. Field Commander
- Release Data: Sony Online Entertainment, 2006
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » General
With this title, you can stack multiple units on a single square, for example, you can have a plane in the air, an infantry unit on a bridge and a submarine in the water under the bridge, all on the same square.
Overall, there’s a ton of fun to be had using imaginative ways to circumvent your enemy’s defenses and claim victory.
#8. Metal Gear Acid 2
- Release Data: Kojima Productions/Konami, 2006
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Card Battle
Metal Gear Acid 2 is a major improvement over the original.
It still retains the card game aspect of the first game, but improves the system by giving you the ability to use what it calls “cover fire” where if you have two units within range of the same target, you can have both attacks at the same time.
#7. Worms: Open Warfare 2
- Release Data: Team 17/THQ, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Artillery
Worms: Open Warfare 2 sports that same Worms gameplay that you love, but brings more to the table than just customizable victory dances and voice lines.
There is also a “Forts” mode that takes the traditional deathmatch mode and adds siege mechanics to the mix.
#6. Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days
- Release Data: Nippon Ichi Software, 2009
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
The PSP version of Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days isn’t just a port of the PS2 game.
It’s an enhanced edition that includes some mechanics from Disgaea 3, as well as some characters from that game, additionally, they packed it with other extras that include new character classes, new shops, new modes, and new playable characters.
#5. Valkyria Chronicles II
- Release Data: Sega, 2010
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
While the gameplay isn’t hugely changed for Valkyria Chronicles 2, they have added additional classes as well as the ability to upgrade those classes into specialists which increases the depth of the combat.
This is all topped off with a compelling narrative that the series is known for.
#4. Jeanne d’Arc
- Release Data: Level 5/SCEI, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
Jeanne d’Arc has balanced a lot of interesting mechanics.
While it does take a traditional map movement system and opportunities to grind for equipment and experience, it also brings rock, paper, scissors elements to combat.
Between the semi-historical story and great blend of mechanics, Jeanne d’Arc is a must for any strategy game fan.
#3. Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness
- Release Data: Nippon Ichi Software, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
This port of the PS2 original brings a bunch of improvements to the table when it comes to presentation.
There is a reason why Disgaea has seen so many sequels and the original still stands tall after all these years.
#2. Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions
- Release Data: TOSE/Square Enix, 2007
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions is an updated version of the 1998 cult classic, which is the game that practically wrote the rulebook for strategy RPGs.
If you want to know why there was a massive boom in the late 90s and early 2000s in the strategy RPG genre, this is the title that arguably made it happen.
#1. Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together
- Release Data: Square Enix, 2011
- Genre: Strategy » Turn-Based » Tactics
Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is truly one of the greatest strategy RPGs, on the PSP or otherwise.
While Final Fantasy Tactics made the genre commercially mainstream, Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together adds to the formula and brings replayability due to the branching narrative.
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See also: Best PS2 Games & Best PS3 Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which PSP turn-based strategy game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!