Let’s be real. Back in 2010, the PSP was in a weird spot. It was basically a "mini-PS2" that everyone wanted to be a "mini-PS3." Developers were constantly trying to squeeze massive console experiences into a device that had exactly one analog nub. One of the strangest victims of this era was Army of Two: The 40th Day PSP. If you played the original on Xbox 360 or PS3, you remember the "aggro" system, the mask customization, and the over-the-top bromance between Salem and Rios. But the handheld version? That was a completely different beast. It wasn't just a port. It was a total reimagining that most people completely missed.
Honestly, it’s kinda fascinating.
Usually, when a big franchise goes to a handheld, it tries to mimic the big brother. EA Montreal and Buzz Monkey Software didn't do that. They looked at the PSP's limitations—specifically that lack of a second analog stick—and decided to turn a third-person "over-the-shoulder" shooter into an isometric, top-down tactical brawler. It feels more like Loaded or Killzone: Liberation than the cover-based shooter you played on your couch.
What Actually Happened to Salem and Rios on PSP?
The story follows the same basic beats as the console version. You’re in Shanghai. Everything is exploding. A private military leader named Jonah has decided to level the city to build a new world order. You, playing as either Elliot Salem or Tyson Rios, have to get out alive. But because the perspective shifted to a top-down view, the scale feels claustrophobic in a way the consoles didn't.
You’ve still got the morality system. This was a huge selling point in 2010. Do you steal the weapons from the armory or leave them for the guards? In the PSP version, these choices are presented through static comic-book style panels. It’s gritty. It’s fast. But does it actually work without a second stick? Surprisingly, yeah. The game uses a "face button" aiming system. It sounds clunky. It is a little clunky. Yet, once you get into the flow of snapping to targets while your AI partner actually behaves himself, it clicks.
The Aggro Mechanic: Does it Scale Down?
The "Aggro" system was the heart of the franchise. One player draws fire, glowing red, while the other turns invisible (metaphorically) to flank. On the PSP, this is represented by a small meter. If you’re playing solo, the AI is actually decent. It’s not "I’m going to stand in a fire" stupid, which was a common problem in 2010 handheld games.
The "Partner Co-op" is still there, but let’s be honest: finding someone with a PSP and a copy of the game today is like finding a needle in a haystack. Back then, it supported Ad-Hoc play. If you had a friend, the game transformed. You could heal each other, share ammo, and perform "back-to-back" maneuvers where the camera zooms in and you spin in a circle blasting everything. It’s pure 2000s action movie cheese.
Why Nobody Talks About This Version
There are a few reasons Army of Two: The 40th Day PSP fell into the "hidden gem" (or just "hidden") category.
First, the competition was insane. 2010 was the year of Peace Walker. When Hideo Kojima releases a full-blown Metal Gear Solid title on a handheld, everything else looks like a budget hobby project. Second, the shift in perspective turned off the "core" fans. If you bought this expecting Gears of War in your pocket, you were disappointed. It played more like an arcade shooter.
Also, the PSP was already fighting the rise of the iPhone. People were starting to realize they could play 99-cent games on their phones, and a $30-40 UMD (Universal Media Disc) started to feel like a tough sell for a 5-hour campaign.
Gun Customization: The Saving Grace
If there’s one thing they nailed, it’s the weapon bench. You can still gold-plate your AK-47. You can still add suppressors, bigger mags, and shields. For a handheld game from sixteen years ago, the depth of the inventory is impressive. You earn money by completing objectives and making "moral" choices, then dump it all into making your gun look as ridiculous as possible. It’s the soul of Army of Two.
Technical Performance and That UMD Whir
If you dig out your PSP-3000 today to play this, you’ll notice two things: the load times and the noise. The UMD drive works overtime to stream the Shanghai environments. However, the art style holds up. Because they went with an isometric view, they could push more polygons into the character models and the explosions. It doesn't look "blurry" like some of the failed attempts at 3D shooters on the system.
- Graphics: Sharp for the era, though environments can get repetitive.
- Audio: The banter between Salem and Rios is intact. It’s meathead dialogue, but it’s their meathead dialogue.
- Length: Short. You can wrap this up in about 4 or 5 hours.
- Difficulty: Spikes hard during the boss fights where the "snap-to" aiming feels a bit loose.
The Verdict on the Handheld Mercenaries
Is it a masterpiece? No way. But Army of Two: The 40th Day PSP is a fascinating relic of a time when developers actually tried to reinvent a game for a mobile platform instead of just making a "cloud version" or a scaled-down port that runs at 15 frames per second.
It’s an arcade shooter wearing a tactical vest. It’s loud, it’s kind of dumb, and it’s a great way to kill an afternoon if you’re into retro handheld gaming. It reminds us that sometimes, losing a dimension (moving from 3D to 2.5D) can actually save a game from being unplayable.
How to Play It Today
Since the PlayStation Store for PSP is basically a ghost town, you’re looking at two options. One: hunt down the physical UMD on sites like eBay or at local retro shops. They usually go for around $15 to $25 depending on if the manual is still in the box. Two: Emulation. PPSSPP is the gold standard here. Running this game at 4x resolution on a PC or a modern Android handheld makes it look like a stylized indie game from 2024. It’s remarkably clean.
If you’re going the emulation route, map the face buttons to a right analog stick. It makes the "twin-stick" feel much more natural than the original PSP layout ever could.
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Actionable Steps for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive back into this specific corner of the Army of Two universe, here is how you should approach it:
- Check your hardware: If you're playing on original hardware, ensure your PSP battery hasn't "swelled." It's a common issue with the 1000 and 2000 models.
- Focus on the weapon upgrades early: Don't hoard your cash. The game is short, and having a high-capacity LMG makes the final chapters much less frustrating.
- Play the morality path both ways: Since the game is only a few hours long, it's worth a second run to see the different comic book endings. They’re surprisingly dark.
- Look for the "International" versions: Interestingly, the game had some regional censorship regarding its violence and certain environmental details, but the North American and European UMDs are generally the "complete" experience.
Don't expect a tactical masterpiece. Expect a fun, slightly greasy, late-2000s action romp that fits in your pocket. It’s a piece of history from a time when EA was willing to take weird risks on handhelds.