The PlayStation Vita was Sony’s answer to the PlayStation Portable successor. Released back in 2012 for western markets, gamers received a new powerful handheld console that could deliver gamers with a social media experience along with playing incredible video game titles. Unfortunately, it didn’t offer much competition with the Nintendo 3DS and more gamers were flocking towards using their smartphones for portable gaming.
As a result, the PlayStation Vita didn’t have the grand success Sony had originally hoped for and now that we’re close to its life cycle end, we are looking at all the great games currently available. In this list, we’re going to share some of our favorite adventure titles available on the portable console, though we of course would love to know what some of your favorite video games were on the PlayStation Vita by leaving us a comment down below.
#15 Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
- Developer: Sanzaru Games
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Platforms: PS3, PSV
- Release: February 5, 2013
The Sly Cooper franchise is most well-known for its first three video game titles on the PlayStation 2 but we’re looking at the latest and so far the last video game released from the series. Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time released in 2013 for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita. Much of the same game mechanics and features that the series is known for makes a return, however, unlike the first three installments, the game was developed under Sanzaru Games instead of Sucker Punch Productions.
Overall, players take the role of Sly Cooper, a raccoon thief who must meet up with his former gang to fix events throughout time. A new villain has appeared with an ability to go throughout time which is altering Sly Cooper’s family line. While the game was generally loved by fans of the franchise along with a secret ending showcasing a potential future installment to the series, we have yet to receive a new Sly Cooper title. As a result, this is so far the last game of the franchise and one that is well worth owning on the PlayStation Vita.
#14 Retro City Rampage
- Developer: Vblank Entertainment
- Publisher: Vblank Entertainment, D3 Publisher
- Platforms: PC, X360, PS3, PSV, 3DS, NS, Wii, PS4, PSP, Android, iOS
- Release: October 9, 2012
Retro City Rampage is a thrill to play if you enjoy ’80s and ’90s references. The development team crafted this game to pay homage to several franchises and video games that they enjoyed with a wacky storyline. The game puts players into the role of a criminal for hire known as “The Player” who ends up finding a time-traveling telephone booth.
This telephone booth transports our criminal into the distant future where he stumbles upon Doc Choc, who believes The Player to be a hero thus sets off to find special parts to help fix his telephone booth. Players are then free to explore the open world, pop culture inspired enemies along with finding the necessary parts needed to fix your stolen telephone booth.
#13 Gravity Rush
- Developer: SCE Japan Studio
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Platforms: PSV, PS4,
- Release: June 12, 2012
Within Gravity Rush, players will follow a woman named Kat who has the ability to control gravitation pull. Through the use of her power, Kat has sought out to help humans against a mysterious threat known as Nevi.
This is a title that really makes use of the various features and components Sony incorporated in the PlayStation Vita such as the gyroscope, accelerometer along with the back touch panel. While the game was a success, its sequel, Gravity Rush 2, was only released on the PlayStation 4.
#12 Uncharted Golden Abyss
- Developer: SCE Bend Studio
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Platforms: PlayStation Vita
- Release: February 14, 2012
The Uncharted franchise is well-known and popular for the Sony platforms. While most would be familiar with the four original titles along with the Uncharted: The Lost Legacy exclusive to the PlayStation 4, it’s likely most gamers overlook Uncharted: Golden Abyss along with the platform it released on, the PlayStation Vita.
While this obviously doesn’t follow after the main four installments of the game, especially since it released prior to Uncharted 4, Golden Abyss instead acts as a prequel to the first video game installment. Players will be taking on the role of Nathan Drake but on a grand adventure as he searches for the lost city of Quivira.
Despite not being developed directly under Naughty Dog, Uncharted: Golden Abyss released with favorable reviews. This is one title you don’t want to pass up if you own the PlayStation Vita and luckily because it’s set before the events of the first Uncharted video game, you can freely enjoy this title without the prerequisites of playing previous video games.
#11 Dragon Quest Builders
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-BNho6bA8g
- Developer: Square Enix
- Publisher: Square Enix
- Platforms: PS4, PS3, PSV, NS
- Release: October 11, 2016
Dragon Quest Builders is a sandbox action RPG that’s set within the world of Alefgard. This is a more lighthearted adventure with similar visuals to titles such as Minecraft and Terraria. In the narrative, players are off to revive the world which has been flooded with monsters, however, in order to rebuild the world players must also seek out and manage resources.
The video game doesn’t feature a complex combat system like the main installments within the franchise. Square Enix has brought out a sequel for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch though it currently is only available within Japan.
#10 Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
- Developer: Kojima Productions
- Publisher: Konami
- Platforms: PS3, X360, PSV
- Release: June 12, 2012
Gamers worldwide love Meta Gear, the franchise that was crafted by famed developer Hideo Kojima who has since left Konami and the franchise. Regardless, if you never played the Metal Gear Solid titles before then you may have been interested in picking up the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection when it first released.
This collection offers remastered ports of Meta Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater along with Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. All three titles contains the same core mechanics and story narratives from the original title releases, however, the visuals were given an overhaul.
With this collection, gamers could enjoy the three games in 720p resolution and 60fps framerate. The game released years ago but it’s still fetching a decent price online so we suggest grabbing a copy before any sudden price jumps.
#9 The Walking Dead
- Developer: Telltale Games
- Publisher: Telltale Games
- Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, PSV, X360, XBO, Mobile, Ouya
- Release: August 22, 2013
Telltale Games takes real precious care when it comes to their video game releases. Oftentimes they will handle other IPs such as Batman and Game of Thrones though they add their own unique twist to it. This usually results in an adventure narrative that relies heavily on player choices in order to alter the story and the characters within it.
The Walking Dead takes place in the popular comic and AMC TV series universe where you may even see a familiar face. However, predominately, the game is centered around unique characters within The Walking Dead universe.
This first season follows Lee Everett, a man that is on his way to prison until the zombie apocalypse actually ends up freeing him from the law enforcement. Now free in a chaotic world, Lee stumbles upon a young child by the name of Clementine who is all alone. Quickly Lee takes on the role of Clementine’s guardian and protects her from the harsh new realities of the world.
Overall, this is a deep interactive drama that spans across a few episodic seasons. We highly suggest playing the first season and make your way through the heart-wrenching story.
#8 Severed
- Developer: DrinBox Studios
- Publisher: DrinkBox Studios
- Platforms: PSV, Wii U, 3DS, iOS, NS
- Release: April 26, 2016
Severed is a bit of an unique video game narrative. Players take on the role of a young woman named Sasha who’s world is destroyed. Within the game players will take control of an one-armed heroine who is on a quest to find her family. With a living sword as her weapon, Sasha must battle against a variety of monsters, unlock new abilities, make upgrades and solve a series of puzzles.
This is dungeon crawler RPG but it’s not very complex for gamers to jump in and enjoy. Likewise, the game is played out in a first-person mode giving you more immersion of the dungeon you’re traversing through.
#7 Soul Sacrifice
- Developer: Marvelous AQL, SCE Japan Studio, Comcept
- Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
- Platforms: PSV
- Release: April 30, 2013
While the PlayStation Vita essentially went by as a hidden gem console, there is a number of great video game titles from its catalog that gamers may not be familiar with. Take, for example, Soul Sacrifice, a third-person action RPG title that pins players against monsters. In this game, players find themselves being an innocent bystander that is set to be a human sacrifice for a dark sorcerer. Luckily for you, a magical book transports you into a different dimension, one that puts our ordinary Joe into the shoes of past fallen heroes who fought monsters.
It’s through this journey that our protagonist can learn everything needed to fight against the evil sorcerer. This fighting title does have one interesting aspect that may make it a bit unique and that’s the sacrifice ability. There’s a big focus on sacrifices in this game where players can earn or make upgrades depending on their actions on sacrificing or showing mercy to allies along with enemies.
With that said, if players are on the losing side, they can sacrifice a part of their body in order to deliver a devastating attack. However, doing so will have an effect on your gameplay. For example, if players sacrifice their eyes then their view in-game would become more narrow.
#6 Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee – New ‘n’ Tasty
- Developer: Just Add Water
- Publisher: Oddworld Inhabitants
- Platforms: PC, Android, PS4, PS3, PSV, Wii U, XBO, iOS
- Release: July 22, 2014
Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty is actually the remake of the popular platformer Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee. Players take control of Abe Oddysee, a Mudokon and prisoner of the RuptureFarms, a meat-processing plant within Oddworld. Abe learns that RuptureFarms will turn their Mudokon prisoners into one of their tasty meat products. Now with this new information at hand, Abe decides to break free, rescue his fellow prisoners and claim their homeland once again.
#5 Minecraft
- Developer: Mojang
- Publisher: Mojang
- Platforms: PC, Android, iOS, X360, PS3, PS4, XBO, PSV, Wii U, NS, 3DS
- Release: September 4, 2014
Minecraft continues to bring in plenty of gamers to enjoy the endless crafting and exploring of a randomly generated world. The video game has been around since 2011 where players are set to survive in a pixelated block world. In order to do so, the game will have players seek out various resources while building a shelter that would protect the player from the hostile enemies that spawn in the world.
This is not only a fun game to enjoy at any age but one that’s also great to enjoy with young gamers as well.
#4 Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward
- Developer: Chunsoft
- Publisher: Aksys Games
- Platforms: 3DS, PSV, PC, PS4
- Release: October 23, 2012
Developed by Chunsoft after the success of their video game Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors, gamers received Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Rewards. This is the second installment in the Zero Escape series where it plays in two different mediums.
First off, the story is based on a man named Sigma who was abducted and forced into a game with eight other characters. The characters are forced into playing the Nonary Game which is a game that puts players into a life-or-death situation.
As mentioned earlier, the game is played in two different mediums. For starters, the game will have a series of puzzles for players to complete while afterward, there is a visual novel segment to read. As you progress through the narrative visual novel, a series of choices will be available that will alter the story.
There’s certainly some replay value tucked inside with Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward as the game story offers over twenty different endings. Luckily, the game does offer a means to jump back into different sections of the game so the player won’t have to completely replay the game completely over to see alternate routes they could have taken.
#3 Guacamelee!
- Developer: DrinkBox Studios
- Publisher: DrinkBox Studios
- Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, PSV, Wii U, X360, XBO
- Release: April 9, 2013
Guacamelee is a platformer beat ‘em up that picks up in a Mexican village. Our main protagonist, Juan Aguacate, is a farmer that is in love with El Presidente’s daughter. One day an evil charro skeleton named Carlos Calaca attacks the village and kidnaps our hero’s love. During the process, Juan is killed where he awakes in the land of the dead. Thanks to a luchador named Tostada, Juan receives a special mask that transforms him into a powerful luchador and brings him back to the land of the living so that he may stop Carlos and rescue El Presidente’s daughter.
#2 Shovel Knight
- Developer: Yacht Club Games
- Publisher: Yacht Club Games
- Platforms: PC, 3DS, NS, PS4, PS4, PSV, Wii U, XBO
- Release: April 21, 2015
Shovel Knight is a side-scrolling 2D hit that looks as if it belongs as a classic hit for the original Nintendo Entertainment System. It’s clear that the developers created this game after the love and joy from those early 2D side-scrolling platformers along with beat ‘em up video game titles.
The retro feel and vibe works perfectly along with tight controls, this is one game that you will not be able to put down easily. This title has been out for a number of years now with there being a few additional campaigns to enjoy.
Even if you didn’t enjoy the early years of Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System or Sega Genesis, this is still very much a must-play video game.
#1 Persona 4 Golden
- Developer: Atlus
- Publisher: NIS America
- Platforms: PSV
- Release: November 20, 2012
Persona 4 Golden is a must-own video game title on the PlayStation Vita. Essentially this is Persona 4 which released on the PlayStation 2, however, the PlayStation Vita is an enhanced version. With this edition of the game, players will receive a number of new features outside of a visual upgrade. Outside of the standard narrative campaign, Persona 4 Golden adds two new social links that can add new story content.
Likewise, players will find that the Golden edition of the game will include new difficulty levels, music tracks, additional voice over dialogue, animated cutscenes, brand new areas, costumes and more.
