While the PSP is often remembered for its single-player experiences and console-quality ports, one of its most underrated features was its multiplayer capabilities. In slot depo 5k an age before online gaming dominated the scene, the PSP allowed friends to connect locally and compete or collaborate in surprisingly advanced ways. Some of its best games were built with multiplayer in mind, and those who experienced it still remember how groundbreaking it felt for a handheld.
“Monster Hunter Freedom Unite” was perhaps the defining multiplayer title for the PSP. Though it could be played solo, it truly came alive in co-op. Players gathered locally to hunt massive beasts, forge better gear, and take on more difficult challenges together. Communication and strategy were key, and sessions could last hours. In Japan especially, this game helped turn Monster Hunter into a cultural phenomenon—and much of that was thanks to the PSP’s robust ad-hoc network support.
“Resistance: Retribution” brought squad-based third-person shooting to the handheld in a way that felt natural and competitive. Its multiplayer mode allowed up to eight players to face off in classic deathmatch and team-based combat, all without a Wi-Fi connection. It was thrilling to engage in high-stakes firefights on a portable console, especially when you were sitting just feet away from your opponents in real life. The game offered everything from loadout customization to skill-based progression, laying the groundwork for handheld multiplayer shooters.
Then there’s “SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo,” a tactical shooter that took itself seriously and expected the same of its players. With voice communication (via PSP headset), coordinated team tactics, and well-designed maps, it offered one of the most immersive portable combat experiences of its time. It was more than a novelty—it was proof that competitive multiplayer didn’t have to be locked to a TV screen.
Though the PSP’s multiplayer features may be largely forgotten in the age of global online matchmaking, they helped pave the way for portable connectivity. These games showed how meaningful, strategic, and social handheld gaming could be, and they remain a major reason the PSP is still fondly remembered today.
