While the PSP is often remembered for its stunning single-player titles, one of its most underrated strengths was its ability to support dynamic multiplayer gaming. Long before mobile phones and modern handhelds popularized on pianototo-the-go multiplayer, the PSP was already pioneering ad-hoc wireless play. Many of the best PSP games weren’t just great solo experiences—they were built around social, cooperative, and competitive multiplayer sessions.

Chief among these was Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, a title that single-handedly created a social gaming culture in Japan and beyond. The hunt-based gameplay was deeply rewarding with friends, and the coordination required to take down large monsters encouraged strategic communication. Players gathered locally with their PSPs, turning cafés and classrooms into gaming arenas.

Another classic was SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo, which offered robust online play with voice chat capabilities—rare for a handheld device at the time. Its combination of tactical shooting and team-based objectives made it a standout multiplayer shooter. Even racing games like Wipeout Pure and ModNation Racers took advantage of the PSP’s wireless features to deliver smooth, high-speed competition on the go.

These games paved the way for future portable multiplayer design. They proved that handheld devices could offer rich, immersive, and social gaming experiences outside of home consoles. Even now, gamers look back on the best PSP multiplayer games with fondness, and modern handheld developers continue to draw inspiration from the system’s forward-thinking connectivity.