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 and displays. It was released in 1995 retailing for ¥2000 in Japan^[1] or $40 in the United States;^[2] it was released later than expected due to the delay of Metal Jacket, which was supposed to be the first title to take advantage of the cable.^[3]

The cable is a 8-pin inline serial cable^[4] 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.^[5]