Phantasy Star Portable is based on the Phantasy Star universe and features a single player mode, including a Story mode, and a multiplayer mode for up to 4 players. The retail version allows players to import characters created in the demo version.
The game offers a wide range of options for creating a character, from face model to voice pitch, which can be customized to the player's preference. Battles take place in third person and are party-based, with a limit of three party members. Players progress through the main story by completing missions, and character statistics increase automatically on level-up. The game also features a journal to keep track of items, enemies, and other information found during gameplay.