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Must haves for Sony’s sophomore handheld
What are the best PS Vita games? First released on 15th February, 2012 in the United States, with a European launch following on 22nd February, 2012, the PS Vita represented Sony’s second attempt at a portable PlayStation platform, following the success of the PSP, which sold over 80 million units worldwide. Billed as a home console on the go, the manufacturer packed the machine with cutting-edge features, including a 5-inch OLED multi-touch capacitive screen.
At launch, Sony paired the platform with a number of key franchises, with the tentpole title being Uncharted: Golden Abyss, a full-scale adaptation of Naughty Dog’s buccaneering brand, developed by Sony Bend. In addition to eye-popping visuals, this spin-off leaned into all of the system’s key features, including its rear touchpad, camera, and motion sensors. But it was just one of several major franchises available on day one, with the likes of Modnation Racers and Super Stardust Delta also getting adaptations.
With production budgets soaring and third-party developers hesitant to invest in such a small install base, Sony started to tap up the emerging indie scene to keep PS Vita’s software slate active, and introduced the cross-buy initiative – allowing games purchased on the PS3 to be playable on the portable as well. Many titles even adopted cross-save functionality, perhaps planting the seed for Nintendo Switch’s hybrid approach.
Despite being well-liked among enthusiasts, however, the PS Vita sold fewer than 15 million units worldwide, and Sony’s first-party output dried up as it turned its attention to the more popular PS4. Some feel that the manufacturer pulled the plug too early, and bone-headed decisions like using expensive proprietary memory cards killed the console before it even had a chance. Of course, smartphones had become more established by 2012, and the system faced stiff competition throughout its lifespan from the Nintendo 3DS.
Nevertheless, the PS Vita remains something of a cult classic among PlayStation enthusiasts. Its slick form factor and cutting-edge display made it an exceptional host for a number of top titles, and on this page we’ve included the best PS Vita games you can buy today. Whether you picked up the portable at launch or are looking to jump in a decade after it first deployed, we’ve got you covered with this list of must haves – as determined by you, the reader.
If you disagree with the order, then it’s up to you to do something about it: you’ll find a search panel below which will allow you to find your favourite games and rate them accordingly. The list will automatically adjust based on your decisions, so vote carefully. Please do keep in mind, however, that a game will need at least 30 individual ratings before appearing on this list, so if your preferred visual novel is missing – well, that may be why.
With all that out of the way, scroll down for our definitive list of the best PS Vita games, as determined by you…
Originally released alongside Assassin’s Creed III, Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation is an often forgotten instalment in Ubisoft’s series. The game puts you in the shoes of Aveline de Grandpré, the franchise’s first female lead. She scours the city of New Orleans for the members of Templar Order, who have all kinds of nefarious plans in place. The game also features a unique mechanic, in that Aveline can wear different disguises to go undercover during specific missions.
Squeezing Borderlands 2 onto the PS Vita meant that Sony had to make some serious sacrifices, but there was an appetite for full-fledged console games on the format at the time, and this impossible port certainly delivered. While it has some choppy performance and obvious graphical cutbacks, this is still Gearbox’s irreverent looter-shooter in full, playable entirely on the loo.
Poor old Nihilistic Software became the fall guy for many of the PS Vita’s woes, but the team was tasked with making two first-person shooter for the format in a quick succession. Resistance: Burning Skies was one of those games – a spin-off featuring a fireman named Tom Riley that just didn’t have the scope or polish to do Insomniac Games’ alternate history series justice. The best thing that can be said about this throwaway campaign is that it had a particularly easy Platinum Trophy to unlock.
While ports were pretty common on PS Vita, some developers saw the device as an opportunity to reimagine some of their biggest brands. Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate was not a low-resolution port of its PS3 peer, then, but an entirely new title set within Rocksteady’s overarching universe. It failed to hit the highs of the mainline games, but this is still an entertaining enough side-scroller inspired by DC’s dark detective.
A valiant attempt from the underappreciated Zipper Interactive to transform SOCOM’s strategic combat into short-form gauntlets that could be played in five to ten minute sessions, either solo or in co-op. Unit 13 understood the PS Vita, and blended console-style gameplay with missions designed specifically for portability. While its poor commercial performance rounded out a disappointing run for the developer and ultimately culminated in its closure, this was an entertaining outing that arguably deserved a lot more love.
Sony’s mascot brawler PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale was supposed to rival Nintendo’s iconic Super Smash Bros, but developer SuperBot Entertainment was handicapped by a lack of budget and reluctant third-parties who failed to entrust the studio with their valuable intellectual property. It resulted in a roster including Big Daddy instead of Crash Bandicoot and the endearingly named Donte instead of Dante. Nevertheless, there were some neat ideas in this brawler, from the transitioning backdrops that brought Buzz into Craftworld to the robust team-based online play. It looked and played beautifully on the PS Vita to boot, and its short skirmishes were perfectly suited to portable play.
Mortal Kombat has a long and storied history on handheld platforms, dating all the way back to the Game Boy and Game Gear. But this conversion of NetherRealm’s ninth instalment in the legendary fighting franchise really sparkled on the PS Vita. While it made a lot of concessions visually, resulting in some fairly gnarly presentation on par with its finishers, the gameplay was practically identical to its home console counterpart – and it even bundled in some fun touchscreen minigames as a bonus for players on the move.
The game that put developer Image & Form on the map, Steamworld Dig may not be as ambitious as the titles that followed it, but there’s still lots to love about this charming platformer. There’s a puzzle-like feel to Dig’s mining mechanics, as you navigate increasingly treacherous underground terrain, grabbing all-important loot as you progress. Addictive stuff.
The title that put thatgamecompany on the map before it touched the world with Journey, flower is a brief tale about the environment and our impact on it. It’s never preachy, nor does it overstay its welcome, and while you could argue this PS Vita port doesn’t hit quite the same as on a large, high-definition television, it’s still a title you should absolutely play.
Before it turned into a PS5 powerhouse with its exceptional roguelike release Returnal, Housemarque was churning out dependable downloadable arcade hits for a decade. Dead Nation was one such title: a release which took the team’s penchant for dual-joystick action and transformed it into a survival horror undead-‘em-up. This occasionally slow shooter presented a different change of pace to the likes of Super Stardust Delta, but it was a perfect accompaniment to the PS Vita’s portable form factor and felt great on the format’s dinky sticks.
About Sammy Barker
A true PlayStation veteran, Sammy’s covered the world of PS gaming for years, with an enormous Trophy count to prove it. He also likes tennis games way more than you.
Comments (31)
I absolutely agree with your top spot choice there. I didn’t see any Trails of Cold Steel in there though, I thought both were brilliant ports. I’d also have Salt and Sanctuary in my top 10, great little 2D souls-like.
I just dug out and charged my Vita after a looong train journey with nothing but my Switch. I really don’t get the Switch’s appeal, kiddy games or really rough ports. Even Titan Quest was running like trash on it. I’ll love my Vita forever ?
My favorites are Uncharted Golden Abyss and Killzone Shadowfall., I actually pulled my Vita out yesterday to play some golden abyss after seeing Uncharted in theaters. Forgot how comfortable it is to play! After seeing Shu playing GOW on Steam Deck, I think it’s safe to say we’re not getting another Sony handheld anytime soon.
Ouch, no Dragon’s Crown. That one remains my favourite Vita game. If I’m getting on the train it’s either Dragon’s Crown or Mario Kart for me.
Best handheld console since the game boy, but unfortunately couldn’t get the support plus sony messed up its pricing especially with the memory cards
Great list, personally would also have:
Wipeout 2048
WRC4 (such a good rally game)
Gravity Rush (guessing I’ve missed that because it is an essential game for the Vita)
Rogue legacy
Salt and Sanctuary
Tearaway
I don’t know the order I’d put them in but Persona 4 Golden, Child of Light, Killzone Mercenary, Final Fantasy X and Shovel Knight would probably round out my top five, likely in that order.
I couldn’t get over how good Killzone was as a FPS on a handheld. Even the multiplayer felt really good.
To everyone who didn’t vote Odin Sphere onto this list, I hate you.
Great list though it’s odd to see some very low games there. Maybe some titles that were deep into the alphabet didn’t get enough votes? People have already listed up some good titles that were snubbed so I’ll go ahead and mention my favorite PSVita title – Papers, Please.
Why no Virtua Tennis 4? That game was lots of fun on Vita. I mean, the entire list is redundant anyway what with Fez not being at number 1 and that nonsense Persona 4 being included in the list at all, but still.
I just read the article fully and realise I can do something about it myself. But I’m too laaazzzyyy 
Vita was awesome. I would somehow find a way to add Gravity Rush to this list, though it is solid overall. I personally feel like Persona 4 and all its incarnations are a bit overrated, but hey, you can’t please everyone, lol.
I also squeezed a lot of time in Terraria, and even found a community that I regularly met up with on Vita.
Seeing Hot Shots Golf up there makes me want that series to return. I want Sony to make more fun games, rather than the overly serious ones they have been making these past few years.
I am the opposite.
I thought PS VITA games library really terrible for me, like almost no kiddie games like on 3DS.
The games I found just majority adult games, hentai games, boring sport games like what the heck are they. I never like any of them.
The only PS VITA games that caught my attention just only three, just only freaking three games.
Reality Fighters
Pets
Modnation Racers Road Trip
I saw Sly Cooper and Ratchet & Clank Trilogy games also on PS VITA but I already have them on PS3 version with better performance.
I still really on the fence to even consider PS VITA as I only have three games that I have interest about, not even a worthy purchase.
I will not buy a machine just to play 3 casual games.
That’s why I choose 3DS over than PS VITA for having tons of kiddie and cute games for kids, even I have four 3DS XL machines with three different regions and more than 50 3DS games.
Needs a Stardew Valley on that list so it does.
@kyleforrester87 too lazy to click on numbers , but plenty of energy to whine in the comments. ?
I particularly enjoy playing Killzone Mercernary and PlayStation All Stars. I also enjoy Dissidia Final Fantasy too. Wish they would release another Dissidia game like this because NT was just dreadful in comparison.
@Wesker you’ve changed man. What happened?
Remember that you can shape this list with your user votes, so feel free to use the search box at the start of the article if you disagree with any of the results!
@kyleforrester87 you know what else has changed? War. Which reminds me. Shouldn’t the transfarring version of MGS be on this list. Or everyone hates MGS?
@Wesker hey if you want to see it on the list go ahead and vote, stop moaning in the comments, jeez
Ys memories of celceta should be in the top 5!
@kyleforrester87 and have it threaten P4G’s rightful place at number 1? No chance!
I wished sony to come with the steam deck idea, i wonder if they will think to give another shot to handheld consoles.
Where in God’s name is Gravity Rush/Daze?
@Anti-Matter there are plenty of kiddie games. You just weren’t looking hard enough. Clearly.
@naruball
I had searched from playasia and those three games I could find, the exclusive PS VITA games that passed my inspection. Just only three games.
The other kiddie games I found were either already available on PS4 / Switch or didn’t even I have interest about.
@Wesker go play FF7 already.
Surprised to see Gravity Rush didn’t make it anywhere but other than that I’m happy with the list. Still love ya Vita! You deserved a better hand than you were dealt.
Edit: Oh and Trails of Cold Steel 1&2 need a spot somewhere too!
The vita always felt like the console that should have been my favourite of all time but ended up being a bit disappointing (didn’t get it’s own God of war, gran turismo or metal gear…) Not without some good memories though.
Gravity rush is the definition of a flawed gem. One of my favourites ever. I originally bought it thinking it’ll do as I wait for a vita infamous (which we never got) but ended up being much better than it.
Tearaway was one of the few games that made all the gimmicks of the vita make sense. Kind of felt like the vita was made with this game mind, such talented Devs.
Persona 3 portable/ 4 golden I was hesitant about. Really didn’t think a school SIM game would be up my alley but nothing else of value was releasing so I went for it, borderline got addicted to them! Not sure they would connect to me as much if I played them today, but I’ll have the good memories of playing them.
Honourable mentions would go to Giacamelee, Wipeout, escape plan, Rayman origins/legends, sound shapes, all stars battle royale, dragons crown and I’m struggling to think of anything else unfortunately.
Uncharted GA is easily the top game on the depressing handheld. You know when you have Sonic Racing as one of the top games that the library is rather sad for what it should have been.
On the 10 year anniversary of the worst Playstation ever released… I’d like to raise two middle fingers at Sony and the entire gaming industry for taking a fat dump on early adopters of this handheld.
Our Vitas get pulled out every week still, what a great platform. Worms and Russian Subway Dogs should be on the list somewhere!
Where the F is Frobisher Says!
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