I've never really cared to get a PSP. The constant shit it has gotten about being dead platform even before the Vita was announced didn't help either. But I recently was given one so I decided to try out some games. I went for copies of Final Fantasy Tactics and Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (mostly because I want to understand what Japan has gone crazy about) that I found for cheap. I guess I should try Lumines too after listening to a Bombcast a few weeks back. Anyway any other recommendations?

The God of War games on PSP were pretty good, but you might be better served getting the PS3 collection now, if that's an option. I really also enjoyed MGS Peacewalker, but again that's getting an HD remake soon. Playing Valkyrie Chronicles 2 at the moment, and that's pretty good. Also a note on Monster Hunter, find people to play with or you are probably not going to get too far. A lot of that game is tuned to a 4P team.

@Chris2KLee: Valkyrie Chronicles 2 would be good since I don't have a PS3. I also find it crazy that Monster Hunter doesn't have online if it's designed to be multiplayer.

Try out Tactics Ogre and Trails in the sky. Both are ports of older games, but they're good nonetheless.
 
Also Persona 2 is coming out in a week. If you're interested in old-school JRPG's, you might want to check it out.

Hot Shots is another great series if that is your thing. I enjoy Hot Shots Open Tee 2. Also, if strategy is your thing, Disgaea is all over the psp as well as the Prinny games.

@NegativeCero said:

@Chris2KLee: Valkyrie Chronicles 2 would be good since I don't have a PS3. I also find it crazy that Monster Hunter doesn't have online if it's designed to be multiplayer.

It was a game definitely built for Japan, where people more often than not carry some sort of gaming system. Groups of people hanging around playing PSP with each other is not an uncommon site. Hell, me and my coworkers got kicked out of a donut shop here because we were sitting and bumming free coffee refills while playing MH for like 3 hours straight. You can play the game solo up to a point, but the it really opens up if you find 2 or 3 other like minded players. Even then, I it can be a bit of an acquired taste, especially in the control department. If you like turn based tile RPGs also, the PSP version of Disgaea is pretty decent.