Despite being neglected horribly by Sony after less than stellar sales in the west and subsequently being labeled as a “legacy” system, the PlayStation Vita has had more than its fair share of great games. But like any other video game system, there are a ton of titles out there, both good and bad. Are you interested in getting your hands on a Vita, but don’t know what games are worth paying attention to? Do you already have one, but are looking for something new to play? Well, this feature will be taking a look at what Sony’s latest handheld has to offer, by compiling a “best of” list, of a sorts. a highlight reel, if you will. Although a simple “top 10” could suffice, I’d like to go a bit more in depth, so that a wider variety of games get their time in the spotlight. While of course not everyone will love all the games listed, due to personal preference, I personally believe that each of these games are at least worth a try, and are the pinnacle of what this specific console has to offer! So let’s get to it!

Note that this isn’t an end-all-be all list! This is just a jumping off point for those to get started with! Also, each game will be kept to one specific list, so certain titles (we're looking at you, Persona 4!) don’t just dominate the entire thing. As a bonus, if there is a GBAtemp review available, I will link to it, so that if you're interested, you can get a bit more information on a specific game.

Best Indie Games

Due to the extra horsepower that the Vita boasts over the 3DS, Sony’s portable has flourished with numerous indie titles, many of which feel perfectly at home on a handheld system.

10. Axiom Verge (GBAtemp Official Review)

9. Salt and Sanctuary (GBAtemp Official Review)

8. Rogue Legacy (GBAtemp Offical Review)

7. Steamworld Dig/Heist

6. Guacamelee!

5. Spelunky

4. Velocity 2X/Ultra (Official GBAtemp Review)

3. Bastion

2. Binding of Issac: Rebirth

1. Shovel Knight

Best First Party Titles

While Sony Interactive Entertainment did not get too involved Vita projects after the initial launch, there still were some solid releases for those first couple of years.

5. Tearaway

4. Wipeout 2048

3. Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Official GBAtemp Review)

2. Killzone: Mercenary (Official GBAtemp Review)

1. Gravity Rush

One of the most unique takes on platforming, SCE Japan's Gravity Rush is a beautiful game, with a lot of style. The game manages to make good use of the Vita's features, while refraining from feeling gimmicky.

Best Visual Novels

Japanese games work absolutely perfectly on the Vita, and thanks to Japan, you’ll not only see a lot of JRPGs, but visual novels as well. Luckily, a number of localization studios have translated these interactive novels for the English-speaking public.

10. Psycho Pass: Mandatory Happiness (Official GBAtemp Review)

9. Amnesia: ~Memories~ (Official GBAtemp Review)

8. Norn9: Var Commons

7. Corpse Party: Blood Drive

6. Xblaze Code: Embryo

5. Root Letter (Official GBAtemp Review)

4. Code Realize: Guardian of Rebirth

3. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc (2: Goodbye Despair) (Official GBAtemp Review)

2. The Nonary Games (Zero Time Dilemma) (Official GBAtemp Review)

1. Steins;Gate (Steins;Gate 0) (Official GBAtemp Review)

A top-form visual novel in every way. A compelling narrative, lovable characters, and beautiful art make Steins;Gate one of the best in its genre.

Best Ports

Just like any other handheld, ports of older classics come in droves, and the Vita is no different. It’s a marvel to have the ability to take PS2-era games on-the-go!

10. God of War Collection

9. XCOM: Enemy Unknown Plus

8. Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3

7. Jet Set Radio

6. Ratchet and Clank: HD Collection (Official GBAtemp Review)

5. Need for Speed: Most Wanted (Official GBAtemp Review)

4. Sly Cooper Trilogy

3. Final Fantasy X/X-2

2. Muramasa: Rebirth

1. Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection

Kojima's stealthy action game makes a perfect fit on handheld, with the Vita version boasting solid visuals and performance.

Best Online Play

Sometimes playing singleplayer just isn't enough. When you need a multiplayer fix, you can turn to these games!

5. Attack on Titan: Wings of Freedom (Official GBAtemp Review)

4. Hot Shots Golf

3. LittleBigPlanet

2. Minecraft

1. Freedom Wars

Best Salad Mix

This is for the games that don’t really fit into their own category, yet still deserve mention in some form or another.

10. Dariusburst Chronicles

9. OlliOlli (2)

8. Warriors Orochi 3: Ultimate

7. Resogun

6. Sonic All Stars Racing: Transformed

5. Pixeljunk Shooter

4. Yomawari Night Alone (Official GBAtemp Review)

3. Severed (Official GBAtemp Review)

2. Rayman Legends

1. Dragon Quest Builders

Best Rhythm Games

And of course, we cannot forget the fantastic rhythm games available to play. Here are the best of the best:

5. Persona 4: Dancing All Night

4. Taiko no Tatsujin V (GBAtemp Fan Translation Project)

3. Superbeat XONiC (Official GBAtemp Review)

2. IA/VT Colorful (GBAtemp Fan Translation Project)

1. Hatsune Miku: Project Diva F2nd (The Diva series in general)

Best JRPGs

The bread-and-butter of this system. While AAA western development was lacking, that didn’t stop Japanese game studios. This is definitely the strongest part of the Vita’s library.


15. World of Final Fantasy (Official GBAtemp Review)

14. Trillion (Official GBAtemp Review)

13. Grand Kingdom

12. Ar NoSurge

11. Dungeon Travelers 2 (Official GBAtemp Review)

10. Stranger of Sword City (Official GBAtemp Review)

9. Lost Dimension (Official GBAtemp Review)

8. Demon Gaze

7. Shiren the Wanderer

6. Digimon: Cyber Sleuth

5. Hyperdimension Neptunia (series) (Official GBAtemp Review)

4. Atelier Totori (Atelier series in general)

3. Trails of Cold Steel (II) (Official GBAtemp Review)

2. Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited (Official GBAtemp Review)

1. Persona 4: Golden

Quite possibly one of the greatest JRPGs that you can experience. The Vita port of Persona 4 not only adds balancing in terms of gameplay, but adds new scenarios and characters, making Golden the absolute definitive version of the game.

Best Action-RPGs

Do you prefer other styles of games that aren’t turned-based or as text-heavy? These games set themselves apart from the JRPGs by having more action-based combat and gameplay, instead of the calmer turned-based typical JRPG style.

10. Akiba’s Trip (Official GBAtemp Review)

9. Adventures of Mana

8. Toukiden Kiwami (Official GBAtemp Review)

7. God Eater 2: Rage Burst

6. Freedom Wars (Official GBAtemp Review)

5. Soul Sacrifice: Delta

4. Dragon’s Crown

3. Tales of Hearts: R (Official GBAtemp Review)

2. Ys: Memories of Celceta

1. Odin Sphere: Leifthrasir (GBAtemp Official Review)

Leifthrasir is an improvement of the original Odin Sphere in every way imaginable. If you were a fan of the original game, love beat-em-ups, or just want a game with solid combat, Odin Sphere Leifthrasir is a must-play.

​

Best Exclusives

Many Vita games have made their way to other systems, be it PC or PS4. And while that’s fine, some people are interested in pure exclusives. What from the above is an experience you can only get on a PlayStation Vita? The answer is in the following:

​

5. Freedom Wars

4. IA/VT Colorful

3. Tales of Hearts R

2. Ys: Memories of Celceta

1. Persona 4: Golden

​

With a strong existing library, and even more huge titles on the way in 2017, the PlayStation Vita has more than proved that it's thriving, and still has a long life ahead of it!

So, what do you think? Did I miss any titles that you think deserve to be on here? What did you think of this article? Is there a specific system you'd like to see featured next? Let me know!

 

[Sonic Angel Knight]

Looks like this is what you are talking about, import only though.

https://www.amazon.com/Playstation-Vita-Phantasy-Special-Package-PS/dp/B00ABA7OK8

Yeah, as american, playing a import with no english translation is not something most people do for a role playing game, perhaps for other games like a fighting game or something more basic, but a full scale rpg is not advised without translation due to "needing to read text to know what to do"

But yes, that game i was waiting for english localization which is why i bought a vita for, but never got. Instead i got a few ports, like ultimate marvel vs capcom 3 and exclusives like ys memories of celcita and tales of heart R, other than that is just ports of ps3/ps4 games, and indie games with SOME good exclusive games.

3DS had mostly exclusive games that wasn't all ports, which is just good, and the port of games was GOOD games to begin with and had time and good reason to be port like donkey kong country returns and smash bros.

Then again japan always get more games than any other country does, so i'm not surprised this would happen to me. Nice finger there sega, i don't like it but i can see what you did there to us USA people. *SARCASM*

 

[pedro702]

Yeah, as american, playing a import with no english translation is not something most people do for a role playing game, perhaps for other games like a fighting game or something more basic, but a full scale rpg is not advised without translation due to "needing to read text to know what to do"

But yes, that game i was waiting for english localization which is why i bought a vita for, but never got. Instead i got a few ports, like ultimate marvel vs capcom 3 and exclusives like ys memories of celcita and tales of heart R, other than that is just ports of ps3/ps4 games, and indie games with SOME good exclusive games.

3DS had mostly exclusive games that wasn't all ports, which is just good, and the port of games was GOOD games to begin with and had time and good reason to be port like donkey kong country returns and smash bros.

there is no competition between the 3ds and the vita in exclusives, the 3ds has so manny exclusives that arent on other systems that it isnt even fare to compare lol.

 

[WiiUBricker]

Pretty much nailed it with the titles. Good post (<-- how come there is no Vita version of this smiley?)

 

[Sonic Angel Knight]

there is no competition between the 3ds and the vita in exclusives, the 3ds has so manny exclusives that arent on other systems that it isnt even fare to compare lol.

Yes, that is basically the good thing about nintendo systems.

Is always been the case, exclusive game sell the systems, that hasn't changed. I just wish that sony realized that, most of what vita has been was ports rather than exclusive games. Even though the exclusives are good, not most of them are. So far is been these two things

• People who been buying 3ds wanted exclusive new games to play
• People who been buying vita wanted to play their console counter parts on the go

Not that is a fact what people buy them for, but is a observation based on the games released for the two systems. Sony to market "Cross-Buy".... rather poorly due to some most games existing on vita and ps3/ps4 and not being cross buy like skull girls, marvel vs capcom 3, FINAL FANTASY X HD collection, and lot more. Sony marketing has failed a lot for vita, more likely in favor of ps4.

 

[Deleted User]

snip

 

[DinohScene]

I fit LittleBigPlanet in at #3 for online games.

Shit, I really must get some sleep.
Stupid GTAmarathon is depriving me of it.

 

[kiryu1]

But Vita has Games.

Well the Wii U has to actually have some games, first. The Vita has a couple thousand games that simply weren't advertised (which is, mainly, why it failed), the Wii U has like 20 everyone knows about and that's basically it.


EDIT: Fucking Flame

But I liked @Chary's review of the device, just wishing she could that on the Wii U as well.

Well yeah, it has like 20 good games but I love Wii U's two screen and Amiibo gimmick..

 

[omgpwn666]

They didn't make it easy to find an RPG that wasn't borderline hentai, but I found Adventures of Mana which is looking alright. Great page, I'll keep an eye on this page for other games in the future.

 

[VMM]

Wait, best indies and there isn't Super Meat Boy?
This is the best indie of all time.

Fez also deserve a place on that list

 

[CeeDee]

Dang, the Vita has a lot more games than I thought it did.

 

[cvskid]

Dang, the Vita has a lot more games than I thought it did.

Problem is a lot of them are import only.

 

[s157]

Aw, Severed isn't on the indie list? Salad mix would have to suffice. Still, great article for a rather unappreciated handheld.

 

[TesseractStorm]

Problem is a lot of them are import only.

True, but all the ones on the lists are/were available in the US.

I love my Vita, even if it came to me with a firmware too late to hack. I've got enough psn games to more than fill my 64gb memory card.

Really wish Sony had pulled their heads out of their backsides when it came to designing and marketing the Vita. Sad waste of potential. Had they made the memory either more affordable or used a standard micro SD it might have gone a long way toward getting more customers. Add to that the almost non-existant marketing and the Vita wasn't even given a chance to succeed.

 

[cvskid]

True, but all the ones on the lists are/were available in the US.

I love my Vita, even if it came to me with a firmware too late to hack. I've got enough psn games to more than fill my 64gb memory card.

Really wish Sony had pulled their heads out of their backsides when it came to designing and marketing the Vita. Sad waste of potential. Had they made the memory either more affordable or used a standard micro SD it might have gone a long way toward getting more customers. Add to that the almost non-existant marketing and the Vita wasn't even given a chance to succeed.

I agree. I don't even mind the proprietary memory cards that much, but it makes no sense why they still cost as much as they do considering sony stopped caring about the ps vita a long time ago. If it supported microsd i would have bought a 256gb sd card for the ps vita.

 

[Deleted member 377734]

Not going to Include blazblue: chronophantasma here ?

 

[Hanafuda]

Are there enough good racing games to justify a category?

 

[MKKhanzo]

Vita has a good share of fighting games, I think a top 10 can be added.

Awesome article BTW

 

[Xzi]

A lot of solid games on this list that I wouldn't have known were on Vita otherwise. Other than the few first-party games, though, all the good ones are available on Steam. Would be nice to have Salt and Sanctuary on a portable, but if we get the Dark Souls games on Switch that'd be even better.

 

[Retinal_FAILURE]

But we can play the only Pokemon games that mattered on the Vita with VHBL, and then even if your on the newest firmware...I think? At least if you're on all the way up to 3.63 you can play RED, Yellow, and Blue. When Poke got past those it was a monotonous bore for me, though I hear they made a remake of the original for GBA? VHBL can easily run GBA. And cant forget pokemon pinball, thats a classic!

 

[Bonestorm]

Vita is love, Vita is life.

Literally.