PS Vita’s Top 10 Games…Right Now

Now before we start this list I want to note I will be excluding PSONE CLASSICS/PSP GAMES because that could be a list of its own and I’ll be working on that after this one, now let us get this list started.

10. Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation

Our list starts with the very popular Assassin’s Creed series which has been around for a decent amount of time now and this is not the worst entry into the series; this stars the first playable female assassin named Aveline de Grandpré. The story is alright as it takes place in colonial New Orleans and it’s the same Assassins formula we are used too, climb buildings, follow target, assassinate and repeat. Nothing new is added except for the new disguise system that allows Aveline different personas. Other than a few gimmicky touch pad interactions it’s a pretty solid game and its fun to play Assassin’s Creed on the go.

9. Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster

Okay this may be a re-release but they are still great games and to me the Final Fantasy games are perfect for handhelds (I have three Final Fantasy titles on my vita right now..) The only reason I have it so low on the list is because it is a re-release and they didn’t really bring anything new to the table. But it looks great on the vita and this is probably one of the top 5 Final Fantasys. The game still holds up 10 years later and its a definite pickup for fans looking to replay it or people looking to get into the series.

8.  Retro City Rampage

I’m not going to lie, I actually didn’t enjoy this game on the PS3 but when I got my Vita I decided to give it another chance on the handheld and I LOVED IT! For those of you who don’t know Retro City Rampage is an 8-bit Grad Theft Auto that pays homage to all things 80’s Nintendo and all things nerdy. The game is very easy to pick up and very funny. You play as “The Player” and cause chaos as the game progresses through missions and mini-games. I think this game is best on Vita but it needs to be played by gamers and its available on PS3 and Steam.

7. Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time

I love the Sly Cooper games and I love this just as much as the other three games in the series and this game being on the Vita makes all the more better. Even thought Sucker Punch didn’t make this one Sanzaru games did a great job of capturing what makes a Sly Cooper game great and that’s platforming and the characters. We the gang is back and pulling more heists than before until Sly need to go back in time to save his family legacy. The same characters have returned with Sly being the stealth, Bentley being the brains, and Murray being the brawn along with some new characters that make the roster even better. Each world is a different time period as you progress thought the game from 1700’s Japan to the Wild West this game is an adventure that can’t be missed.

6. WipEout 2048

WipEout 2048 is an extremely beautiful game and is easily the best racing game on the Vita. It borrows the best part of other racing titles, the item use in Mario kart, the importance of stats and parts from Forza, and rivalries for burnout. The game looks great and plays even better on the Vita with plenty of tracks and racers there are hours of gameplay in this game. Also you can still race online against people around the world.

5. DANGANRONPA: TRIGGER HAPPY HAVOC

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc is a fully interactive visual mystery novel from developer Spike Chunsoft (the studio behind similar games in the Zero Escape series). A well-written story, a diverse cast of interesting characters, and an awesome, Phoenix Wright-like trial system are just a few reasons why Trigger Happy Havoc is so great.The story is a group of 15 students is invited to a prestigious private school known as Hope’s Peak Academy. These students are the best and brightest Japan has to offer, and are considered the “ultimate” at what they do. There’s the “Ultimate Baseball Player,” the “Ultimate Swimmer,” and even the “Ultimate Fanfic Writer.” But the twist is Hope’s Peak Academy isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, you can’t leave unless one of the students kills a fellow student and gets away with it, securing their release. And so the seemingly never-ending murder mystery gets underway. I won’t spoil the game for you guys but defiantly pick this one up you won’t regret it.

4. Gravity Rush

Gravity Rush is  an open-world adventure game built around a truly new-feeling mechanic. The protagonist Kat is able to re-orient gravity, letting her fall in any direction. It’s something of a mix between falling and flying, and it makes the game a uniquely disorienting, highly enjoyable experience. Combine those mechanical smarts with a wonderfully imaginative, fun a little too short of  a story, lush visuals, gorgeous art design and a dizzy, grand soundtrack and here is one reason to own a Vita since this is the one system the game is on. 

3. Uncharted: Golden Abyss This series really doesn’t need an introduction, Uncharted is one of PlayStation’s marquee franchises and are all excellent games and this entry on the Vita is no different. This game takes place before the original Uncharted and is still a great adventure. This is probably the closest to a console quality game on the Vita as the game looks amazing and alive. Now if you’ve never played Uncharted it’s a third-person shooter with cover mechanics and some platforming and puzzles thrown into the mix. The cast did make a return for the game so Nathan Drake sounds just as good as before. Besides some gimmicky touch sections this game is amazing and should be picked up.

2. Killzone: Mercenary

Killzone: Mercenary isn’t just the best shooter on Vita; it’s the best portable shooter ever made. Mercenary finally lives up to the potential Sony created by releasing a portable with two sticks, and does it surprisingly well. Aside from looking beautiful, Mercenary is fast-paced and easy to control, with touch screen controls that never feel tacked-on and instead enhance the experience rather than hindering it. Mercenary’s money system is brilliant, with experience from single-player and multiplayer working toward a common goal and letting you not only purchase gear, but upgrade weapons and unlock abilities that completely change the way you play. Multiplayer is also smooth and surprisingly addictive. In a full lobby, maps are frantic with few hiding spots, and scrambling to get a Van-Guard capsule before everyone else is incredibly rewarding.

1. Persona 4: Golden

I feel like I’m going to get a lot of hate for this one…

Persona 4 Golden isn’t just the best game on Vita, but one of the best RPGs of all-time. Exploring Inaba and making friends and dating your classmates is one of the best, most memorable deepest experiences I have ever had in a game. Each character feel unique and completely authentic, every character in Persona has their own feelings and vulnerabilities, and choosing which ones to get close to help every player feel like their experience is their own. Golden adds new missions, new Personas and the lovely Marie, but more importantly helps reinforce its brilliant character work by adding unparalleled voice acting, including some of the best performances in any game in years. Also the soundtrack is the best in gaming and I catch myself signing the iconic tunes all the time.

Despite the fact that the majority of Persona 4’s characters are in high school, it deals with unbelievably serious issues rarely even approached by other games, and each is handled so well that it’s almost impossible not to relate to the characters. What could have felt like an after school special is instead touching, charming, and moving, and makes every story beat feel heartbreakingly effective. Managing your time and relationships makes you feel like you’re truly living in Inaba, and that’s all aside from the deep and multifaceted battle system, character growth and dungeon exploration. Persona 4 Golden has hundreds of hours of near-perfect gaming to offer and should absolutely not be missed by any Vita owner.

Didn’t see your favorite game on the list? Post in the comments section what should be on the list. And as always stay here on Gamer Headlines for all your PlayStation and gaming news.