The Top 15 PS Vita Games You Should Know
Some would say that the PS Vita is up there with the absolute best handheld game consoles ever made. We prefer to stay impartial on the matter, but there’s no denying that the device had some amazing titles. Keep on scrolling as we talk you through the best PS Vita games ever made, from the console's conception to the present. Read on and see if you agree with us!
Our Definitive List of the Best PS Vita Games
If you have a PS Vita, are looking to buy one, or simply want to reminisce, you should definitely know the titles below, as we humbly believe them to be the best games ever made for this console. Some of these will go down in history and there’s a chance they could be revisited on future platforms, so our advice would be to make a mental (or any other kind of) note of them. Here goes:
1. Persona 4 Golden
2012’s Persona 4 Golden is one of the most critically acclaimed offerings on the PS Vita and easily goes down among its best games ever. The RPG involves battling dark forces in a small town while also trying to balance school life. Just the typical life of a teenager, right? It received a score of 9.3/10 from IGN, thanks to its deep characters and detailed combat.
2. Uncharted: Golden Abyss
Every gamer worth their salt has played the Uncharted series on consoles. If you haven’t, may we politely ask why? Anyway, if you’re looking for a scaled-down version of that title, Uncharted: Golden Abyss is a great prequel to the main series. It earned a score of 80 on Metacritic and captured the essence of the other Nathan Drake-led games well.
3. Gravity Rush
According to GamesRadar, Gravity Rush is easily among the best PS Vita games. The esteemed publication gave the title a score of 4.5 out of 5 and commended its innovative gameplay. The 2012 offering from SCE Japan Studio is an action-adventure in which you control a woman with the power to manipulate gravity.
4. Tearaway
We just love games with completely unique concepts, and Tearaway falls into that category thanks to its original paper-crafted world. The 2013 Media Molecule game was rated 3.5 stars out of 4 by USA Today and was praised for its imaginative features.
5. Danganronpa Series
If you’re someone who loves it when your choices influence the story, the Danganronpa Series will be right up your street. The offerings from Spike Chunsoft are visual novel games known for their gripping narratives. IGN has rated some of the titles as high as 8.5/10, thanks to their memorable characters and gameplay. They can easily be classed among the best PS Vita games ever.
6. Killzone: Mercenary
For players in search of one of the best FPS games on PS Vita, Killzone: Mercenary is unmissable. The 2013 offering from Guerrilla Cambridge tasks players with having to survive a conflict between the ISA and Helghast forces. If you're unsure as to what classifies as a survival game, this one is probably the closest you’ll get to that genre on the device.
7. Spelunky
The PS Vita had some truly impressive titles, and Spelunky is an example of how developers would often push its limits. The 2013 Mossmouth game with an 87 Metacritic rating had procedurally generated levels, meaning that players could keep coming back for unique gameplay every time.
8. Super Stardust Delta
Some of the best Vita titles were the ones that kept things simple, and 2011’s Super Stardust Delta from Housemarque was in that bracket. The 9/10 IGN-rated offering was a twin-stick shooter with quick action gameplay.
9. Rayman Legends
Rayman has been around in the gaming industry for years, and the handheld option is one of the best PS Vita games. The visually pleasing platformer from Ubisoft Montpellier is just as enjoyable on the smaller screen as it is on consoles.
10. Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
Metal Gear Solid games have dominated the gaming industry for decades, and the 2012 collection for the PS Vita was awesome. It was basically a greatest-hits version of the espionage franchise from Kojima Productions.
11. Soul Sacrifice
There were a few great action RPGs for PS Vita, and Soul Sacrifice was a memorable one. The 2013 Marvelous AQL game had engaging combat and was lauded by GamesRadar as a fresh take on the genre.
12. Child of Light
You don’t necessarily need a top-spec console for a beautifully crafted RPG, and Ubisoft Montreal proved that with Child of Light in 2014. The emotionally impactful offering achieved a high rating across all publications, and we regard it as a simply must-play title – it’s one of the best games for the Vita device, hands down.
13. Dragon's Crown
There are only three games left on this list and it seems we’ve forgotten to include any beat ‘em ups – so, here you go. Vanillaware’s Dragon’s Crown in 2013 was a cool side-scrolling fighting game with awesome hand-drawn artwork.
14. Muramasa Rebirth
Vanillaware made some of the best PS Vita games around, and Muramasa Rebirth was another strong title. This was a 2D action RPG remembered for its eye-catching visuals and in-depth storytelling. If you love mythical Japanese worlds, this one’s for you.
15. Hotline Miami
Last but not least on this list is Hotline Miami, a 2013 title from Dennaton Games that was awarded 9/10 from IGN. The top-down shooter was loved for its fast-paced nature and surreal narrative. If you like a challenge, then this one’s definitely for you!
Is PS Vita Better than the Nintendo Switch?
One of the greatest - or plain out heated - debates of the last decade was whether the PS Vita was better than the Nintendo Switch. This comes down to a matter of opinion, as they both have their strengths and weaknesses. You could argue, though, that average games on Vita are superior to the top offerings on the Switch…
Is the PlayStation Vita Discontinued?
This is somewhat of a nostalgic blog, as the PS Vita was discontinued in 2019. However, you can still pick up the device and many of its games from specialist gaming stores around the world.
Can You Play These PS Vita Games Now?
If you have a PS Vita, you can still find many of these titles and play them. However, if you don’t, there are some emulators that allow you to access these games on your computer (it might also be helpful to read our handy guide on how to play HTML5 games). Have fun searching and playing!
