I do my share of bitching about the Playstation Portable, but it's only because I think the system has great potential. While I think the system still has major issues when it comes to multimedia support, looking at the year's games it feels like the PSP is finally starting to hit its stride.

Here's my list of the games that every PSP gamer should at least try from this year in no particular order:

Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops: Sure, the controls drove me nuts, but the plot is intriguing and the gameplay addictive. Oh, and it's got some really damn cool online gaming going on.

Killzone: Liberation: I loved this game. It may have been a tad on the short side, but it showed that Sony needs to get more isometric action games on their portable. The missions are the perfect size for pick-up and play and the graphics do a good job of capturing the gritty world of Killzone.

Tekken: Dark Resurrection: Fighters can, it turns out, work on the Playstation Portable. Not only is this, hands down, the best fighter on the PSP, it's one of the best fighters on any platform this year.

Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror: This was one of the first games this year that really grabbed my attention. The blend of stealth and shooting mixed with a cool assortment of weapons and tools made this game a blast to play.

Daxter: Who woulda figured that a Daxter game could be so much fun? Well, probably a lot of people, but I've never really been a fan. The game is a fun little platformer that wins over even those who don't like the franchise.

LocoRoco: I can't say enough about this game. It's really the first that relies on innovation rather than technology to win over the Playstation Portable crowd. Oh, and it's got that addictive music.

Legos Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy:This is probably my favorite game on the system for the year. Sure it doesn't bring anything new to the title, but what it does do is deliver the full, unadulterated experience to a handheld. And, in likely a first, it completely kicks the ass of the DS version. As a matter of fact, the DS version would probably win my vote for the absolute worst game of the year. Go figure.

Lumines II, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories and SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo 2 make my list just because they continue along the lines of their predecessors. None of them really reinvent the wheel, but if you loved the first game, you're sure to love the second.

Disagree? DId I miss any? Brian Crecente