Do you remember the good ole days of the Sony PlayStation Portable? I sure do. This revolutionary handheld took portable gaming to new heights when it arrived in 2004.
With its bleeding-edge specs and WiFi multiplayer, the PSP felt like holding the future of gaming in your hands. Sony packed their handheld with processing muscle, saying it was as "powerful as the PlayStation 2."
While the PSP played host to many genres, first-person shooters found a comfortable home on the go thanks to some smart design workarounds.
In this walk down memory lane, we‘ll highlight the absolute best FPS games ever graced the PSP and what made them so special. Get ready to relive some of the most intense firefights to ever fit in your pocket.
The PlayStation Portable – A Technical Marvel For Its Time
Before we get to the games, let‘s take a quick trip back to 2004 to when the PlayStation Portable first launched.
For a handheld, Sony packed an incredible amount of cutting-edge hardware into the PSP:
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333 MHz CPU – This processing speed was faster than the Nintendo DS and almost on par with the PlayStation 2.
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32MB system RAM + 64MB video RAM – This allowed for smooth 3D graphics and environments.
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4.3 inch LCD screen – The widescreen display was crisp and beautiful for a handheld. Perfect for first-person immersion.
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WiFi connectivity – Play online multiplayer anywhere with built-in WiFi – a first for consoles!
These specs were shocking for a portable device in 2004. However, while powerful, the PSP did lack a second analog stick which caused challenges for camera control in some games.
Developers got creative to overcome this through auto-aim features and refined tap-to-aim mechanics. This allowed the PSP to deliver fast and frenetic FPS experiences on the go.
Now let‘s jump into the top first-person shooters that exemplified the PSP‘s technical capabilities starting with…
1. Coded Arms (2005) – Sci-Fi Action In The Digital Realm
The most unique FPS on the PSP thanks to its cyberpunk setting. In Coded Arms, you play as a hacker trapped inside a militarized VR training program. The game blends breakneck shooting with a mind-bending storyline.
Key Features:
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Strange arsenal of fictional sci-fi weapons like the Hellfire Shooter flamethrower.
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Randomly generated levels kept replays exciting since the maps changed every time.
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4-player local multiplayer deathmatches with modes like Keep The Mark.
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Clever enemy AI that adapted to your playstyle over time.
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Striking virtual reality aesthetics that immersed you in the digital world.
Coded Arms received strong reviews praising its fast-paced sci-fi combat and unpredictable level design. While not perfect, it dove headfirst into bringing a cyberpunk VR experience to handhelds.
2. Medal of Honor Heroes (2006) – Classic WWII Shooting On The Go
MOH brought its trademark World War 2 shooting action to the PSP complete with an expansive new campaign. Players stepped into the boots of OSS Agent Jimmy Patterson across over 27 missions spanning Italy, France, and Belgium.
Key Features:
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Iconic MOH characters like Patterson, Manon, and Crowe returned.
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Ran smoothly at 60fps with responsive aim and movement.
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32 player online multiplayer matches – a first for handhelds!
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Varied mission objectives like stealth, sniping, turret sequences, and vehicle battles.
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Unlockable content and rankings encouraged replays.
The PSP version of Medal of Honor earned an 81 Metacritic score praising its controls and multiplayer. It set the standard for fast-paced FPS action on Sony‘s handheld.
3. Tom Clancy‘s Rainbow Six Vegas (2007) – Tactical Shooting At Its Finest
This Rainbow Six spin-off brought tactical squad shooting to the PSP with its trademark realism intact. As team leader, you directed up to 3 AI squadmates to breach and clear casinos over 13 missions.
Key Features:
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Advanced combat maneuvers like rappelling, fast-roping, and blind-firing over/under objects.
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Partner orders to direct your squad‘s positioning and targeting.
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Limited ammo and health raised the stakes.
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Stealth and strategy rewarded more than run-and-gun play.
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Impressive graphics brought Vegas sights like Fremont Street to life.
While criticized for short length, Rainbow Six captured the tactical tension of the series in portable form. Breaching and clearing rooms never felt so immersive.
4. Resistance: Retribution (2009) – Dual Analog Controls Revolutionize PSP Shooting
Retribution introduced a major evolution in PSP shooting – dual analog aim controls! This allowed precise camera control with both nubs, finally solving the single stick limitation.
Beyond that, Retribution continued the epic alien invasion storyline of Resistance: Fall of Man as protagonist James Grayson fought the vicious Chimera.
Key Features:
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Dual analog controls brought console-quality handling.
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Cinematic set-pieces like a train battle atop the Eiffel Tower.
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Innovative weapons like the HE .44 Magnum revolver.
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Online infrastructure mode supported 8 player matches.
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"Infected" gameplay where Grayson wielded alien virus powers against foes.
Earning an 83 on Metacritic, Retribution proved the PSP could compete with console shooters through clever controls and exhilarating action set-pieces.
5. Call of Duty: Roads To Victory (2007) – Non-Stop WWII Action
The PSP got its own original Call of Duty experience with Roads To Victory! The game featured 14 missions across WWII operations in Britain, Canada, and the US.
Key Features:
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Four control setups to customize the experience to your liking.
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Grenade throws added strategy and intensity to firefights.
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Classic online multiplayer modes like deathmatch and capture the flag.
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Patriotic orchestral score and authentic weapon sound effects.
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Relentless pacing kept the action hot at all times.
Reviews praised Roads To Victory‘s simple but smooth FPS gameplay tailored expertly for handheld devices. It captured the classic Call of Duty atmosphere in the palm of your hands.
The Legacy – Paving The Way For Mobile FPS Gaming
While limited by the hardware, the PSP‘s best first-person shooters overcame obstacles through clever design. Features like auto-aim and radar assisted with the lack of a second analog stick. Shorter bite-sized missions catered to on-the-go play sessions.
These efforts paved the way for the evolution of FPS games on mobile. The PSP proved handheld shooters could still provide heart-pounding action through smart concessions. FPS franchises like Call of Duty and Medal of Honor succeeded on the platform through tailor-made entries.
So the next time you play a round of PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile, think back to the trailblazing PSP shooters that started the portable FPS revolution. It‘s amazing the intense experiences developers packaged into our pockets even back in 2004.
I hope this trip down memory lane sparked some nostalgia. The PSP will always hold a special place in portable gaming history. Which first-person shooter was your favorite back in the day? Let me know down below!