It may be 2021, and its support may be nowhere to be found save for a few indie developers. But, to be honest, the PlayStation Vita is a great little system.
Sure, Sony dropped it like a bad habit and it didn’t get nearly as many games as it deserved. But when it comes to handheld gaming, it has exquisite quality between its OLED screen, its fine control scheme, and its array of both AAA and indie titles. Sony should’ve given this a second chance, especially against the Nintendo Switch.
Nevertheless, we’re starting to see more collectors go after the hardware and some of its games, just for the sake of collective argument. That said, some newcomers may be a little overwhelmed as to where to start with picking games up for it.
Well, not to worry, because we’re here with five great suggestions that’ll start you on the right foot, no matter which Vita you’re picking up. Hunt down these titles and indulge!
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
The Vita has its fair share of outstanding fighting games, including a number of BlazBlue titles and Street Fighter X Tekken. But the true winner of the bunch is clearly Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3. This port is a highly effective one, with great gameplay features that take advantage of the system, along with awesome visuals and sound. Plus it’s so easy to get into, with supers to unleash and a number of outstanding characters. It’s not every day you see someone like Phoenix Wright taking on Magneto, after all.
Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath
Initially released for the first Xbox console, Oddworld Inhabitants’ sprawling Western shooter eventually made its debut on the Vita – and has become one of the most admired games for the system. It handles controls reasonably well, allowing you to work between first and third person perspectives almost effortlessly. It also packs a punch with its graphics, as well as its storyline, which takes a major turn close to the end that really brings the adventure to a monumental close. Don’t let this Wrath pass you by.
Rayman Legends
Oh, the PlayStation Vita has some great platformers, including Shantae: Half-Genie Hero and Shovel Knight, among many others. It also has lots of Rayman to go around, thanks to the launch title Rayman Origins. But Legends eclipses it in so many ways, with an abundance of great in-game content, as well as entertaining gameplay, challenges galore, and some of the best graphics we’ve seen on this side of the Vita. It’s still a legendary title that’s worth hunting down to this very day.
Muramasa Rebirth
Hack and slashers don’t get much better than Muramasa, which initially made its debut on Wii to thunderous applause. But on the Vita, it expanded to another audience, thanks to the sheer beauty of Rebirth. With spellbinding visuals, exciting gameplay (taking advantage of more traditional controls), and two different quests to take on, it’s easily one of Vanillaware’s finest. And you can’t play it on Switch – at least, not yet – so Vita’s the best way to enjoy it on the go at the moment.
Persona 4 Golden
If you think that we’re not going to recommend Persona 4’s arrival on the PlayStation Vita, you’re crazy. This easily stands as one of the best experiences on Sony’s handheld, if not the best, bringing all its goodness to the platform with other great goodies. Its gameplay will compel you for hours on end; its characters bring an abundant amount of content to the table; and it takes storytelling to a whole new level. Plus it just plain looks fantastic. Hunt this baby down and add it to your collection forever.
What Vita games would you pick up alongside the system?
