PlayStation Link Cable

The PlayStation Link Cable (SCPH-1040) is a peripheral cable for the 1st generation PlayStation console. Utilizing the serial I/O port found on the back of most PlayStation models, it allows for two consoles to be connected in order to play compatible multiplayer games on separate consoles. It was released in July 1995 in Japan for ¥2000,^[1] and during the 1995 Christmas shopping season in the United States.^[2]

The cable is a 8-pin inline serial cable^[3] that plugs directly into the back of the PlayStation console and was a fully supported Sony accessory for the market life of the console. Because it was only designed for original PlayStation models, it is not compatible with the redesigned PS one, nor with succeeding PlayStation consoles such as the PlayStation 2.

The main advantage to using the cable was that a split-screen would not be necessary for multiplayer, increasing each player's screen size and potentially increasing game performance (as only one view has to be rendered per console). However, the use of this cable requires two televisions, two PlayStations (with appropriate cables), and two copies of the game being played (with the exception of Armored Core: Master of Arena, Command & Conquer: Red Alert, Command & Conquer: Red Alert: Retaliation and Mobile Suit Z Gundam/NTSC-J which require only one copy as the games come with two discs). This expense was impractical for most consumers, and by the end of 1997 most retailers were no longer carrying the PlayStation Link Cable.^[4]

List of games compatible with the PlayStation Link Cable[edit]

Andretti Racing (2 to 4 players)^[5]
Armored Core^[6]
Armored Core: Project Phantasma^[7]
Armored Core: Master of Arena^[8]
Assault Rigs^[9]
Ayrton Senna Kart Duel (EU/JPN)^[10]
Blast Radius^[11]
Bogey Dead 6 (Raging Skies in Europe and Sidewinder in Japan^[5]
Burning Road^[5]
Bushido Blade^[12]
Bushido Blade 2^[13]
Car & Driver Presents: Grand Tour Racing '98 (2 to 4 players) (Total Drivin in Europe)^[14]
CART World Series (2 to 4 players)
Command & Conquer: Red Alert^[15]
Command & Conquer: Red Alert: Retaliation^[16]
Cool Boarders 2^[17]
Dead in the Water
Descent^[18]
Descent Maximum^[19]
Destruction Derby^[2]
Dodgem Arena (EU exclusive)^[20]
Doom^[2]
Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown^[21]
Dune 2000^[22]
Explosive Racing (X-Racing in Japan)^[23]
Final Doom^[24]
Formula 1^[5]
Formula 1 98 (2 to 4 players)^[25]
Independence Day^[26]
Krazy Ivan^[27]
Metal Jacket^[28]
Monaco Grand Prix: Racing Simulation (2 to 4 players)
Monaco Grand Prix: Racing Simulation 2 (2 to 4 players)
Motor Toon Grand Prix^[29]
Motor Toon Grand Prix 2^[5]
Mobile Suit Z Gundam (NTSC-J)^[30]
Pro Pinball: Big Race USA^[31]
R4: Ridge Racer Type 4 (2 to 4 players)^[32]
Racingroovy (JP exclusive)^[33]
Red Asphalt (Rock N' Roll Racing 2: Red Asphalt in Europe)
Ridge Racer Revolution^[5]
Robo Pit 2
Road & Track Presents: The Need for Speed^[5]
Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012^[34]
San Francisco Rush: Extreme Racing^[35]
Shutokou Battle R (JPN exclusive)
Streak - Hoverboard Racing^[36]
Test Drive 4^[37]
Test Drive Off-Road^{[Note 1]}
TOCA 2 Touring Cars (2 to 4 players) (Touring Car Challenge in North America)^[38]
Trick'N Snowboarder
Twisted Metal 3^[39]
Wing Over^[40]
Wipeout^[41]
Wipeout 2097 (Wipeout XL in North America)^[5]
Wipeout 3 (EU) (2 to 4 players)^[42] ^{[Note 2]}
Wipeout 3: Special Edition^[43]
Zero Pilot (JPN exclusive)

Notes[edit]

^ This functionality was only present in the North American release, and was removed for the European release.
^ Link Cable functionality is present but only accessible by a hidden menu in the original release of Wipeout 3. The functionality is fully present in the Special Edition release.

References[edit]

^ "Head to head - PlayStation link-up". Edge (22). Future Publishing: 30–33. July 1995.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Sony's Stocking Stuffers". GamePro. No. 87. IDG. December 1995. p. 185.
^ Amazon.co.uk listing for the PlayStation Link Cable
^ "Letters". Next Generation. No. 33. Imagine Media. September 1997. p. 153.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "Feature: The Missing Link". Play (17). Future Publishing: 56–58. March 1997.
^ "Armored Core: Some Hardcore Mechanized Action". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 99. Ziff Davis. October 1997. p. 172.
^ Harris, Craig (20 October 1998). "Review: Armored Core: Project Phantasma". IGN. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
^ "Review: Armored Core: Master of Arena". IGN. 28 March 2000. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
^ "NG Alphas: Head to head". Next Generation (8). Imagine Media: 50–53. August 1995.
^ "Review: Ayrton Senna Kart Duel". Play (14). Future Publishing: 70. December 1996.
^ "Review: Blast Radius". Play (38). Future Publishing: 60. September 1998.
^ "Bushido Blade: Slice, Dice and Die Really Quick". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 95. Ziff Davis. June 1997. p. 90.
^ "Review: Bushido Blade 2". Play (35). Future Publishing: 66. June 1998.
^ "Review: Total Drivin'". Play (26). Future Publishing. November 1997.
^ Major Mike (December 1997). "Command & Conquer: Red Alert". GamePro. No. 111. IDG. p. 96.
^ "Review: C&C Retaliation"". Play (41). Future Publishing: 80. December 1998.
^ "Review: Cool Boarders 2: Killing Session". Play (26). Future Publishing: 44. November 1997.
^ "Descent". Next Generation. No. 17. Imagine Media. May 1996. p. 90.
^ "Review: Descent 2". Play (24). Future Publishing: 69. September 1997.
^ "Rated: Dodgem Arena". PlayStation Plus. No. 41. EMAP. February 1999. p. 82.
^ "Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 100. Ziff Davis. November 1997. p. 70.
^ "Preview: Dune 2000 - He Who Controls the Spice Controls the Universe". IGN. 26 June 1999. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
^ "Review: Explosive Racing". Play (25). Future Publishing: 44. October 1997.
^ "Review: Final Doom". Play (13). Future Publishing: 68. November 1996.
^ "Rated: Formula 1 98". PlayStation Plus. No. 39. EMAP. December 1998. p. 84.
^ "Protos: ID4". Electronic Gaming Monthly (90). Ziff Davis: 48. January 1997.
^ "Krazy Ivan". Next Generation. No. 17. Imagine Media. May 1996. p. 91.
^ "Metal Jacket". PSX Data Center. Retrieved 27 December 2018.
^ "A-Z buyer's guide". PlayStation Official Magazine – New Zealand. No. 44. ACP Publishing. May 2001. p. 58-62.
^ "Game info: Mobile Suit Z Gundam/NTSC-J". PSX Data Center. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
^ "Review: Pro Pinball: Race USA". Play (45). Future Publishing: 54. February 1999.
^ "Review: Ridge Racer Type 4". Play (47). Future Publishing: 42. April 1999.
^ "Racingroovy". PSX Data Center. Retrieved 22 November 2019.
^ Harris, Craig (8 October 1998). "Review: Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012". IGN. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
^ "Review: San Francisco Rush". Play (41). Future Publishing: 68. December 1998.
^ "Review: Streak". Play (42). Future Publishing: 54. December 1998.
^ "Review: Test Drive 4". Play (28). Future Publishing: 36. Christmas 1997.
^ "Review: TOCA Touring Cars 2". Play (42). Future Publishing: 42. December 1998.
^ Perry, Douglass (1998-10-07). "Twisted Metal 3". IGN. Retrieved 2022-09-25.
^ "Review: Wing Over". Play (27). Future Publishing: 54. December 1997.
^ "ProReview: Wipeout". GamePro. No. 86. IDG. November 1995. p. 52.
^ "Letters: Ask Nino". Official Australian PlayStation Magazine. No. 28. ACP Publishing. November 1999. p. 111.
^ "Wipeout 3 Special Edition (PAL back cover art)". MobyGames. Retrieved 2023-07-15.

[Note01-38] This functionality was only present in the North American release, and was removed for the European release.

[Note02-44] Link Cable functionality is present but only accessible by a hidden menu in the original release of Wipeout 3. The functionality is fully present in the Special Edition release.

[1] "Head to head - PlayStation link-up". Edge (22). Future Publishing: 30–33. July 1995.

[GPro87-2] "Sony's Stocking Stuffers". GamePro. No. 87. IDG. December 1995. p. 185.

[3] Amazon.co.uk listing for the PlayStation Link Cable

[4] "Letters". Next Generation. No. 33. Imagine Media. September 1997. p. 153.

[:0-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "Feature: The Missing Link". Play (17). Future Publishing: 56–58. March 1997.

[6] "Armored Core: Some Hardcore Mechanized Action". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 99. Ziff Davis. October 1997. p. 172.

[7] Harris, Craig (20 October 1998). "Review: Armored Core: Project Phantasma". IGN. Retrieved 2 October 2022.

[8] "Review: Armored Core: Master of Arena". IGN. 28 March 2000. Retrieved 18 October 2022.

[9] "NG Alphas: Head to head". Next Generation (8). Imagine Media: 50–53. August 1995.

[10] "Review: Ayrton Senna Kart Duel". Play (14). Future Publishing: 70. December 1996.

[11] "Review: Blast Radius". Play (38). Future Publishing: 60. September 1998.

[12] "Bushido Blade: Slice, Dice and Die Really Quick". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 95. Ziff Davis. June 1997. p. 90.

[13] "Review: Bushido Blade 2". Play (35). Future Publishing: 66. June 1998.

[14] "Review: Total Drivin'". Play (26). Future Publishing. November 1997.

[15] Major Mike (December 1997). "Command & Conquer: Red Alert". GamePro. No. 111. IDG. p. 96.

[16] "Review: C&C Retaliation"". Play (41). Future Publishing: 80. December 1998.

[17] "Review: Cool Boarders 2: Killing Session". Play (26). Future Publishing: 44. November 1997.

[18] "Descent". Next Generation. No. 17. Imagine Media. May 1996. p. 90.

[19] "Review: Descent 2". Play (24). Future Publishing: 69. September 1997.

[20] "Rated: Dodgem Arena". PlayStation Plus. No. 41. EMAP. February 1999. p. 82.

[21] "Duke Nukem: Total Meltdown". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 100. Ziff Davis. November 1997. p. 70.

[22] "Preview: Dune 2000 - He Who Controls the Spice Controls the Universe". IGN. 26 June 1999. Retrieved 18 October 2022.

[23] "Review: Explosive Racing". Play (25). Future Publishing: 44. October 1997.

[24] "Review: Final Doom". Play (13). Future Publishing: 68. November 1996.

[25] "Rated: Formula 1 98". PlayStation Plus. No. 39. EMAP. December 1998. p. 84.

[26] "Protos: ID4". Electronic Gaming Monthly (90). Ziff Davis: 48. January 1997.

[27] "Krazy Ivan". Next Generation. No. 17. Imagine Media. May 1996. p. 91.

[28] "Metal Jacket". PSX Data Center. Retrieved 27 December 2018.

[29] "A-Z buyer's guide". PlayStation Official Magazine – New Zealand. No. 44. ACP Publishing. May 2001. p. 58-62.

[30] "Game info: Mobile Suit Z Gundam/NTSC-J". PSX Data Center. Retrieved 29 October 2022.

[31] "Review: Pro Pinball: Race USA". Play (45). Future Publishing: 54. February 1999.

[32] "Review: Ridge Racer Type 4". Play (47). Future Publishing: 42. April 1999.

[33] "Racingroovy". PSX Data Center. Retrieved 22 November 2019.

[34] Harris, Craig (8 October 1998). "Review: Rogue Trip: Vacation 2012". IGN. Retrieved 2 October 2022.

[35] "Review: San Francisco Rush". Play (41). Future Publishing: 68. December 1998.

[36] "Review: Streak". Play (42). Future Publishing: 54. December 1998.

[37] "Review: Test Drive 4". Play (28). Future Publishing: 36. Christmas 1997.

[39] "Review: TOCA Touring Cars 2". Play (42). Future Publishing: 42. December 1998.

[40] Perry, Douglass (1998-10-07). "Twisted Metal 3". IGN. Retrieved 2022-09-25.

[41] "Review: Wing Over". Play (27). Future Publishing: 54. December 1997.

[42] "ProReview: Wipeout". GamePro. No. 86. IDG. November 1995. p. 52.

[43] "Letters: Ask Nino". Official Australian PlayStation Magazine. No. 28. ACP Publishing. November 1999. p. 111.

[45] "Wipeout 3 Special Edition (PAL back cover art)". MobyGames. Retrieved 2023-07-15.

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v t e PlayStation (console)
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Hardware	Models Technical Specifications Net Yaroze
Accessories	Controller Dual Analog Controller DualShock Analog Joystick Link Cable Mouse Multitap PocketStation GunCon Jogcon Namco Arcade Stick NeGcon
Games	A–L M–Z Best-selling Cancelled Net Yaroze Jampack Budget Ranges Greatest Hits Platinum The Best
Emulation	Bleem! Connectix Virtual Game Station ePSXe PCSX-Reloaded
Related	Super NES CD-ROM System 573 PlayStation Classic Polygon Man Double Life
Category Successor: PlayStation 2