Multiplayer gaming has become a pillar of modern entertainment, with online communities forming around nearly every major release. But long before the days of global matchmaking and battle passes, PlayStation was already pianototo laying the groundwork for competitive and cooperative play. From the early days of split-screen racing in Gran Turismo to today’s expansive online modes in Call of Duty and Fortnite, PlayStation games have been at the forefront of multiplayer innovation. The best games today are often judged not just on their solo campaigns, but on how well they bring people together.

While consoles like the PS3 and PS4 expanded online connectivity, the PSP quietly contributed to this evolution in powerful ways. Despite its limitations, the PSP supported ad-hoc multiplayer, allowing players to connect wirelessly for real-time matches. Titles like Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, SOCOM: Fireteam Bravo, and Phantasy Star Portable built thriving local communities. These games showed that multiplayer didn’t have to be online to be meaningful—sharing a game session with a friend in the same room could be just as thrilling, if not more.

What’s more, the PSP proved that handheld games could include surprisingly robust multiplayer systems. In some cases, these were better tuned than early console attempts, offering tight mechanics and smart balancing tailored to competitive gameplay. Many of these PSP games became staples at dorm rooms, gaming cafes, and even underground tournaments. Players bonded over strategy, skills, and shared memories—experiences that would later shape how multiplayer was approached in future PlayStation games.

Now, with the PlayStation 5 leading the charge, multiplayer continues to be a core feature. But its success is deeply rooted in years of experimentation and refinement across previous consoles and handhelds. PSP games played a critical role in this evolution, showing that small-scale experiences could deliver big competition and collaboration. As multiplayer gaming evolves, the lessons learned from PlayStation’s portable past continue to inform how the best games connect us—whether we’re across the room or across the world.