The games focus on various teams of United States Navy SEALs (an operating component under SOCOM) completing missions with occasional help from other special operations forces from around the world such as the SAS, SBS and GROM.

SOCOM was one of the earliest titles to use the PS2's online service in North America.

For the PlayStation 2, this game allowed players to play the story mode online.

Exclusively for the PlayStation Portable, the gameplay became less run-and-gun and more command and strategic.

The final entry in the PlayStation Portable line Fireteam Bravo.