The PlayStation Portable, commonly known as PSP, marked a new era in handheld gaming when it was released by Sony. Among the many franchises that found their way onto the PSP, Call of Duty stood out as a major title that brought first-person shooter action to portable gamers. Although the experience was different from its console counterparts, PSP Call of Duty games managed to offer intense missions, recognizable gameplay mechanics, and compact campaigns tailored for on-the-go play. For fans of the series, these portable entries provided a nostalgic yet impressive way to experience Call of Duty in a handheld format.
Call of Duty Titles on PSP
The PSP only received a single official Call of Duty game, which wasCall of Duty: Roads to Victory. Released in 2007, it was developed by Amaze Entertainment and published by Activision. Unlike the main series developed by Infinity Ward or Treyarch, this installment was specifically designed for the limitations and strengths of the PSP system.
Call of Duty: Roads to Victory Overview
- Released: March 13, 2007
- Platform: PSP exclusive
- Setting: World War II
- Campaign: Three Allied forces – American, British, Canadian
This game allowed players to take part in various historic battles across three campaigns, switching perspectives between soldiers from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The missions were inspired by real operations during World War II and provided a focused, mission-based structure ideal for shorter play sessions.
Gameplay Adaptation for PSP
Due to the PSP’s limited hardware and control layout, developers had to adjust traditional Call of Duty gameplay to suit the handheld format. The game used the face buttons to replicate right analog stick functions, a common workaround on the PSP. Although it lacked the precision of console aiming, the developers included generous aim-assist to make the shooting mechanics more forgiving.
Controls and Interface
- Left analog stick: Movement
- Face buttons: Aiming and camera control
- Shoulder buttons: Aiming down sights and firing
- Directional pad: Weapon selection and interaction
Despite these control limitations, Roads to Victory maintained a steady pace and allowed for tactical engagements. The absence of dual analog sticks made it feel different from the console versions, but it was still a strong effort considering the hardware limitations.
Visuals and Performance
Graphically, Call of Duty: Roads to Victory pushed the PSP’s capabilities to deliver detailed environments, realistic character models, and explosive set pieces. While not as polished as home console versions, the game featured atmospheric locations like war-torn cities, enemy bunkers, and open battlefields.
Visual Highlights
- Destructible set pieces for scripted explosions
- Smoke, fire, and lighting effects that enhanced immersion
- Relatively stable frame rate for a handheld shooter
The game’s visuals, combined with authentic World War II sound effects and a cinematic soundtrack, helped immerse players in its fast-paced war scenarios. It was one of the better-looking shooters on the PSP at the time.
Campaign Missions and Structure
The single-player campaign in Roads to Victory is divided into three main storylines. Each one consists of a variety of missions that involve objectives such as storming enemy positions, defending allies, sabotaging equipment, and using stationary guns to clear enemy waves. The campaign can be completed in a few hours but offers enough variety to stay engaging.
Factions and Campaigns
- American Campaign– Featuring missions like D-Day landings and operations in France
- British Campaign– Focused on covert missions and sabotage behind enemy lines
- Canadian Campaign– Included battles in the Netherlands and support operations
Each faction brought a slightly different gameplay style, with a good mix of assault, stealth, and defensive tactics. Players were able to feel a sense of progression as they moved through various theaters of war.
Multiplayer Capabilities
One of the more exciting aspects of PSP Call of Duty was its ad-hoc multiplayer functionality. While it didn’t offer online play, up to six players could engage in local wireless battles using the PSP’s wireless capabilities.
Multiplayer Features
- Up to 6 players via ad-hoc connection
- Game modes: Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag
- Maps adapted from campaign levels for compact multiplayer arenas
Although basic compared to console standards, this local multiplayer was a major draw for fans who wanted to enjoy Call of Duty with friends in a portable setting. It extended the game’s replay value significantly, especially in group play environments like schools or gaming cafés.
Reception and Legacy
Call of Duty: Roads to Victory received mixed reviews from critics, largely due to its control limitations and short campaign. However, among PSP users, it gained a strong following as one of the few fully-featured first-person shooters on the platform. The game successfully brought the essence of Call of Duty’s action to a device with far fewer resources than consoles or PCs.
Critical Highlights
- Praised for its graphics and sound design
- Noted issues with aiming precision and enemy AI
- Recognized as one of the better shooters on the PSP
While not a commercial blockbuster on the scale of mainline entries, Roads to Victory holds a nostalgic place in the franchise’s history and is remembered fondly by PSP enthusiasts.
Comparison to Other Handheld FPS Games
Compared to other FPS titles available on the PSP, such as Medal of Honor: Heroes or Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror, Call of Duty: Roads to Victory delivered a solid experience. It didn’t reinvent the genre but managed to capture the cinematic feel of Call of Duty in a portable format.
Strengths Compared to Peers
- Focused WWII setting with realistic missions
- Strong audio-visual presentation
- Ad-hoc multiplayer options
Its success on PSP helped show that even ambitious FPS games could find a home on handhelds with careful design and optimization.
Is It Still Worth Playing Today?
For collectors, retro gamers, or Call of Duty fans, Roads to Victory is worth revisiting. The game represents a unique time when developers adapted large franchises for smaller screens, and it delivers a fun and historically grounded experience. While modern controls and graphics have far surpassed it, the charm of PSP-era gaming remains.
Emulators and physical copies still circulate among retro gaming communities, making it accessible for those curious to explore Call of Duty’s handheld history. It’s also a reminder of how far mobile and portable gaming has come, bridging the gap between console-quality action and pocket-sized devices.
Call of Duty on PSP may not be the most famous installment in the franchise, but it holds a special place in the series’ evolution. Roads to Victory demonstrated how powerful storytelling, smart level design, and atmospheric presentation could create a memorable experience even on a handheld console. For fans of World War II shooters or those nostalgic for the PSP era, this title remains a standout example of portable FPS gaming done right.