Though the PSP was primarily a single-player device, it boasted a surprisingly strong lineup of multiplayer games that helped shape the future of portable social gaming. Using ad hoc wireless functionality and sometimes infrastructure mode, the PSP brought players together in creative and engaging ways—long before online multiplayer on handhelds became standard.

Monster Hunter Freedom Unite stands as the crown jewel of PSP multiplayer. In Japan, it became a social phenomenon, with musang178 players gathering in cafes and game shops to form hunting parties. The game emphasized teamwork, skill-based combat, and loot-based progression. It wasn’t just a game—it was a community-driven experience, and it played a key role in making the Monster Hunter franchise a global success.

Another standout was Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops, which introduced squad-based multiplayer stealth missions. Its use of strategy, combined with real-time action and the recruitment system, made it a deep, tactical multiplayer experience. Even today, fans of the series regard it as one of the most innovative multiplayer experiments in the Metal Gear universe.

SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 2 brought tactical shooter action to the handheld space. With infrastructure mode, players could battle others online, coordinating through voice chat and strategy. It was one of the earliest examples of competitive online multiplayer on a portable device, and it worked impressively well for the hardware.

Even racing games like Wipeout Pure and Gran Turismo PSP allowed players to compete head-to-head in high-speed duels. These games featured excellent performance and smooth local wireless support, proving the PSP could handle fast-paced multiplayer gameplay without compromise.

These multiplayer titles gave PSP players more than just a game—they offered a shared experience. In a time before smartphones and universal Wi-Fi, the PSP’s multiplayer features were a preview of how portable gaming would eventually go social, cooperative, and competitive on a global scale.