SOCOM: U.S. Navy Seals is a noteworthy PlayStation 2 game because it was one of the first titles to take advantage of the PS2's network adapter. This allowed gamers to actually fight human opponents online rather than play solely against the computer. This game was also unique at the time because it utilized speech recognition, enabling players to control their squad mates by simply speaking into their headsets.

The original SOCOM PS2 game featured four operations, each with three missions. Fans of the game wore out these maps quickly and repeatedly as they eagerly anticipated its sequel. Less than 14 months after the original game's release, SOCOM II arrived in late 2003. SOCOM II: U.S. Navy Seals gave players four new operations (each with three missions), along with 10 brand new multiplayer maps.

The appeal of these games is largely rooted in their realism. SOCOM is a real abbreviation for the United States' Special Operation Command, and many actual weapons are featured in the game, including the AK47 and the M203 grenade launcher. To ensure that the game was as true-to-life as possible, Zipper Interactive enlisted the help of the Naval Special Warfare Command for input on creating an accurate and realistic gaming experience.

The original SOCOM and its sequel were such huge sellers for PlayStation that a third entry in the series was inevitable. With SOCOM III, gamers can now find the first two SOCOM titles quite affordably. This not only helps Sony move more copies of the original games, but allows gamers on a budget to pick up these award-winning titles inexpensively.