The PS Vita is a fantastic handheld console that was incredibly powerful for the time.
Unfortunately, it didn’t resonate with mainstream audiences, and it was thrust under the rug and into the footnotes of gaming history.
Gamers who own the system know it’s asmashing piece of kit, and here are some quality titles for the system that you don’t want to miss.
An Underrated Musical Gem
Key Information
Release Date
I’m a sucker forRhythm games, and the PS Vita has a surprisingly rich library of them.
We’re going withMusynxfor the list, as it’s one I bet you’ve never played.Musynx is a stylish 4-Key rhythm game, which means you press four buttons in time to the music when the blocks hit the bar at the bottom of the screen.
You canup the key count to sixwhen you feel confident, and there’s a decent mix of music genres. Musynx is arguably more of ahardcore Rhythm Game, and the charts reflect that.
Songs are extremely busy on higher difficulties, but this sort of complexity keeps the game replayable.
7Touch my Katamari
It Doesn’t Get Much Stranger Than This!
Namco Bandai
Action/Puzzler
December 2011
TheKatamarigames have been around for a while, andTouch My Katamariis a great PS Vita exclusive entry to the series.
Touch My Katamariis an addictive game that’s so bizarreI’m not even sure what genre it belongs to.
In each area, you play as a small ball and can stick objects to yourself by rolling over them. The larger you get, the bigger objects you can grab, andthe sky is literally the limit.
Naturally, there’s a little more to it than that. You’re often forced to be selective in what items you pick up, and some of the restrictions are pretty challenging.
Touch My Katamariis a niche title, but its loyal fanbase ensures games are still being made even for current hardware.
6Lumines: Electronic Symphony
A Modern Spin On The Puzzle Genre
Lumines Electronic Symphony
Lumines: Electric Symphonyis avibrant puzzle gamethat’s intuitive and accessible.
On the surface,Luminesis a simple puzzle where you place blocks of matching colors together. Stacks of four blocks are cleared when the “Time Line” passes the playing field, and thespeed changes depending on the music.
It’s a simple premise, and time changes force you to employ different playstyles. Like the best puzzlers,everyone can enjoyLumines, and high-score chasers will have a field day conjuring up new strategies.
5MotorStorm: RC
A Homage To Retro Classics
Evolution Studios
February 2012
When discussing great PS Vita racing games, many gamers will go withRidge Raceror the superbWipeout 2048. If you’re after a decent racer nobody talks about, let me introduceMotorStorm: RC.
MotorStorm: RCis a massive departure from otherMotorStormgames thanks to itstop-down perspective. The camera angle makes RC look similar toMashedorMicro Machinesand feels oddly appropriate for a handheld.
There’s agenerous assortment of cars, tracks and modesand great attention to detail as the terrain dramatically affects how each vehicle handles.
On that note, there’s a setting that binds acceleration to a movement stick and almostemulates driving a real RC carwith a radio controller.
It’s an optional gimmick, but you know the developers approached the project with love and care when you see unique additions like this.
Sadly, there’snot been a MotorStorm game since the PS Vitaentry, but fans would agree thatRCisn’t to blame.
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4Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable
They Call Me The Bug Slayer
September 2012
TheEarth Defense Force(EDF) games have been around for over two decades, and2017 Portablewas an exclusive title for the PS Vita.
If you’re a fan of the previous EDF games, 2017 is a necessity, as it’severything you’d expect, just pocket-sized.
For the uninitiated, you’re a soldier in EDF tasked with destroying as many aliens as you can. As you can see in the screenshot,bugs are on the menu, and they can show up in the dozens.
Insect slaying is incredibly addictiveand is helped by the destructible buildings and scenery. Sure, it’s fun to blow up bugs on the street, but it’s infinitely more enjoyable to level a skyscraper and kill ten at once!
Earth Defense Force Portable 2017is pure, unabashed fun and perfect for short, portable gaming sessions.
3Dariusburst: Chronicle Saviors
A Top-Tier Shmup
Space Shooter
November 2015
TheDariusgames are prettywell-known among space shooter fansand the PS Vita has one of the best on the market.
Dariusburst: Chronicle Savioursis a classic arcade-style Shmup where your reflexes and dodging skills will be tested. The series is known for itsunusual obsession with aquatic creatures, and those make a triumphant return on the Vita.
Bosses will humble youthe first time you fight them, but it’s so rewarding when you start memorizing patterns and can turn the tables.
I adore the genre, but if I had to be critical, the action inDariusburstisa little tough to follow at times, as there’s so much happening on a tiny screen.
2Bunny Must Die! Chelsea and the Seven Devils
It Rolls Right Off The Tongue
Rockin Android
Metroidvania
March 2018
Bunny Must Die!is a cutesy 2DMetroidvaniawith abilities to manipulate time.
You play as Bunny on her quest to escape the Devil’s Labyrinth. You’re constantly unlocking new abilities, butmy favorite part of the game is easily the parry system, as it feels directly lifted fromStreet Fighter 3: Third Strike.
You cannegate many attacks by pressing the correct direction buttonat the right moment, which feels incredibly satisfying. Even with the parry system,Bunny Must Die!Is obnoxiously difficult, and the controls feel quite clunky until you adjust to them.
Bosses are creative and frequently enterBullet Hellterritory, which is an unexpected but pleasant surprise.
While some design choices inBunny Must Die!are a little questionable, it’s a fantastic Metroidvania that I never see anyone talk about, and it feels absolutely perfect on a handheld.
1Muramasa Rebirth
Hack And Slash At Its Finest
Muramasa Rebirth
Muramasa Rebirthis an excellent 2D hack-and-slash with stunning graphics and addictive combat.
It’s also revered by many asone of the best games on the entire system.
There are two playable characters with stories that intertwine as you progress.Combat looks and feels incredible, and it’s the part that makesMuramasa Rebirthso hard to put down.
Combos are easy to pull off, and you can weave absurd air combinations into all the slick movement options.
Stringing moves together is effortless, but beware,this is a challenging game, and if hordes of enemies don’t tear you to shreds, the giant bosses will.
As it’s so beloved, you could argue how much of a hidden gemMuramasa Rebirthreally is, butthe average gamer won’t have heard of it, and that definitely needs to change!
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