The 50 Best PS Vita Games of All Time

What are the best PS Vita games of all time?

The PlayStation Vita was released in 2012 as the successor to the PlayStation Portable.

However, despite having an OLED screen, dual analog sticks, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more, it couldn’t keep up with its Nintendo DS rival and was ultimately discontinued in 2015.

While it may have only been around for a short time, it made a huge impact on gaming history, hosting some of the best games of the time. 

The Best PS Vita Games of All Time

Its short lifespan didn’t stop the PS Vita from having some awesome games, and today we’re taking a trip down memory lane and rounding up the best of the best.

If you enjoy this list, don’t forget to check out our other PlayStation game lists:

• The 50 Best PS1 Games Ever Created
• The 50 Best PS2 Games Ever Created
• The 50 Best PS3 Games Ever Created
• The 50 Best PSP Games of All Time

Here’s our list of the 50 best PS Vita games of all time:

50. Wipeout 2048

A must-have for Vita owners, this anti-gravity racing game allowed players to unleash some incredible speed along 10 new tracks.

Wipeout 2048 used all the PS Vita’s enhanced controls and allowed for some genuinely intense races against up to eight other players online.

It was always a fight to stay on top of the leaderboards, and many players spent hours perfecting their racing abilities to safeguard their positions.

49. Dariusburst: Chronicle Saviours

This PS Vita game did not lack content to keep gamers busy, boasting over 3000 stages you could unlock, branching outcomes, and nine playable ships to collect.

As a horizontal scrolling shooter, it was easy to lose hours trying to beat as many levels as possible, taking out bosses, and discovering unlockable content.

48. Lumines Electronic Symphony

Lumines Electronic Symphony challenges players to rotate and move colorful blocks onto a board, arranging them until they form a same-colored square.

If the blocks build up and reach the top, it’s game over, similar to Tetris, an old-school game with a surprisingly bizarre history that most people don’t know.

However, what made Electronic Symphony stand out the most was its fantastic soundtrack that players could customize to play their favorites in a specific order or on repeat.

47. Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack

This side-scrolling platformer had a retro style, and it followed a mutant blob that escaped from a lab to consume everything in its path.

Behind its seemingly simplistic design was an incredibly fun game that was both challenging and hilarious.

Often considered one of the best downloadable PS Vita games, Mutant Blobs Attack was a surprise hit that players couldn’t get enough of.

46. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3

Marvel vs. Capcom is a classic, and this game took the battles to all new heights.

Featuring 48 characters from Marvel Comics and Capcom, this game introduced new modes, an improved fighting system, and eight new stages to fight on.

There was also online and local multiplayer connectivity, plus extra DLC that added two more characters.

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 definitely lived up to the hype, and fans couldn’t put it down when it was released.

45. Velocity Ultra

Another 2D scrolling shooter, Velocity Ultra, builds on the foundation of the first game and manages to be even better with new HD graphics.

Set in 2212, players had to navigate their teleporting spacecraft through space, avoiding hazards and using bombs to take out enemies.

This game was everything the first should have been, and it stands out as one of the best remakes on the PS Vita.

44. Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation

Assassin’s Creed III is one of the best Assassin’s Creed games of all time, and Liberation was the PS Vita spin-off released alongside it.

This game kept the open world of Assassin’s Creed but made use of the Vita’s touchscreen, cameras, and gyroscope for more interactivity.

By linking the game to Assassin’s Creed III, players could receive unique bonuses and unlock gear that otherwise would have been inaccessible.

43. Borderlands 2

This addictive cel-shaded shooter came to the PS Vita with the ability to team up with friends to take on the world of Pandora.

Players could experience all of Borderlands 2 just as they would on a home console, and it immediately became one of the best Vita games.

42. PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale

Like Capcom Vs. games, this battle royale for the PS Vita featured some of Sony’s best characters and a few from third-party games, which you could use to duke it out online or locally with friends.

While not initially a game many thought would do well, it knocked expectations out of the park and became one of the best PS Vita games you could buy.

There was something for everyone to love in this battle royale with a well-balanced fighting system, amazing graphics, and loads of great characters.

41. MotorStorm RC

Another excellent racing game, MotorStorm RC, combined old-school racers and contemporary gameplay to create a wholly unique experience.

Players could collect up to 24 vehicles, with more unlocked via DLC, and build their own impressive garage to take on other racers.

40. Ys: Memories of Celceta

Ys IV is a Japanese cult classic, and Memories of Celceta gave players a chance to revisit their favorite characters and locations.

As a remake of the fourth game in the Ys series, this PS Vita game took a different approach to the hit title. It changed the flow of the story, creating a new narrative of mystery, deceit, and conspiracy that players had to unravel.

39. Freedom Wars

This Japanese action RPG was set in a distant future where penal city-states war against each other.

Players had to cooperate in fighting enemies and contributing to their city-states, using the local and online multiplayer functions.

There were both co-op and competitive modes that made it easy to lose hours playing this game, trying to build up your character to rank high on the leader boards.

38. Fez

This indie puzzle platformer was simple but hugely addictive, and players had to move the 2D character, Fez, through a 3D world to collect cubes to restore the universe.

Although it was straightforward, it was as entertaining as any of the best-selling PS4 games of all time, and it went to show just how amazing indie games could be even compared to AAA titles.

37. Need for Speed: Most Wanted

Most Wanted was one of the best PS Vita games for racing fans, and it was the 19th in the Need for Speed series.

This game went back to its classic roots, with players having to race while the police do everything possible to stop them.

There were loads of collect and customized, and the smart controls of the PS Vita really made gameplay feel seamless and easy.

36. Thomas Was Alone

This game was one of the most imaginative, engaging, and strangely emotional on the PS Vita.

Following the journey of a red square, Thomas, as he meets and learns to work with other shapes.

However, a dark force soon starts taking his new friends away, which leads to a beautiful sense of mystery surrounding a seemingly simple game about shapes.

35. Axiom Verge

After a scientist is caught up in an accident, he awakes on a strange alien world where all of reality seems turned upside down.

The resulting story was a fascinating side-scroller adventure where players could explore the strange high-tech world around them.

Taking inspiration from classics like Blaster Master and Metroid, Axiom Verge was a gorgeous indie game that became a must-have on the PlayStation Vita.

34. Child of Light

Child of Light was a beautiful 2D side-scroller inspired by the art of Studio Ghibli, which fans couldn’t get enough of.

The story revolved around a young girl who awakens in a strange land with no light. To return home, she needs to restore the sun, moon, and stars, bringing light to the world once more.

This game was a playable work of art and a must-play on the PlayStation Vita.

33. Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time

Available to be played between the PS3 and PlayStation Vita using cloud saves, Thieves in Time was the fourth game in the Sly Cooper series and a welcome break from fast-paced shooters.

Picking up where the third game left off, players had to sneak, solve puzzles, and hunt down the missing pages that give them all their thieving powers.

It boasted a well-rounded balance of exploration, action, humor, and stealth, making it one of the most satisfying games on the PS Vita.

32. Limbo

Limbo was a unique black and white platformer where players controlled a young boy traveling through the dark and eerie world.

We wouldn’t be surprised if the insanely creepy Little Nightmares game was inspired by Limbo, as both were unsettling, dark, and spooky platformers with really distinctive art styles.

31. Metal Gear Solid HD Collection

While Metal Gear Solid V is one of the best open-world PS4 games on the PS Vita, it was the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection that fans were going crazy for.

Combining Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater, and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, this compilation had tons of gameplay for fans to experience in stunning HD.

For fans of the series, there was no question that this Metal Gear Solid Collection was one of the best games on the PS Vita.

30. Soul Sacrifice Delta

Soul Sacrifice Delta was a unique game on the PS Vita, and it gave players the ability to sacrifice parts of the characters to perform devastating attacks.

Players had to think tactically to overcome challenges, and sacrifices were not an unlimited resource.

Three unique endings depended on the player’s choices, and the overarching story was engaging enough to keep fans playing for hours.

29. Killzone: Mercenary

Killzone: Mercenary gave players a new way to experience the Killzone universe, putting players in the shoes of a gun for hire out to fight for the highest bidder.

Each client would give you an objective, but the rest was up to the player. You could use any tactics you wanted, so long as the job got done.

There were three different difficulty settings, and the harder you made the game, the higher your rewards were overall.

28. Dragon Quest Builders

Dragon Quest Builders was one of the best PS Vita games for killing time and having fun while doing it.

Looking like a mix between Zelda and Minecraft, this game was ridiculously enjoyable and there was no shortage of places to explore, things to learn, and bosses to fight.

27. Darkest Dungeon

This gothic RPG dungeon crawler was all about playing up the psychological effects of exploring dangerous ruins.

While leading a group of adventurers, players had to deal with numerous threats to their health, both mentally and physically, and monsters are just as deadly as starvation, stress, and disease.

Think of it as Oregon Trail but deep underground with dysentery and literal monsters to deal with.

26. The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series

The Walking Dead by Telltale Games was an amazing, well-written game that earned its place as one of the best post-apocalyptic games of all time for many good reasons.

Players had to make some truly difficult choices in this game that impacted the story in surprising and sometimes emotional ways.

Between struggling to survive and trying to make the best decisions, it was hard not to fall in love with this game and its characters.

25. Sine Mora

Sine Mora was a gritty shooter that combined classic shooter games’ fundamentals with next-gen graphics.

It appealed to hardcore and casual gamers alike and came jam-packed with loads of customization.

Every stage was beautifully crafted, and there was no shortage of planes and time-manipulation devices to help you get through them.

24. LittleBigPlanet

This is a game that almost everyone is familiar with, and as one of the best PS Vita games, there is a good chance most gamers have played it at least once.

The Vita version allowed players to create and share with other players online, and it included all of the features from the first and second games, as well as some LittleBigPlanet PS Vita exclusive elements that made it a must-have for this handheld console.

23. OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood

This skateboarding game was released on the PS4 and PlayStation Vita, with fans immediately becoming addicted.

The entire game had a distinct art style that is reminiscent of Happy Wheels’ hilarity and violence, something that we can’t help but love. 

22. Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone unfamiliar with Minecraft, if only on an at-name basis.

Fortunately for fans, it ended up becoming one of the best PlayStation Vita games so that they could take their crafting on the go and get their Minecraft fix anytime.

While it did have a few minor performance issues, it was ultimately one of the best portable versions of the game.

21. Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat is one of the best fighting games of all time, and its PS Vita version more than lived up to the series’ reputation.

As a complete reboot of the franchise, this game combined its incredible combat mechanics, unforgettable characters, and rich story mode with enhanced graphics and brand-new game modes.

20. Rayman Legends

The follow-up game to Rayman Origins, Rayman Legends was one of the best PlayStation Vita games for gamers of all ages.

This platformer was incredibly fun, and Rayman stands out as a character as memorable as Mario or Luigi.

Every level was well-designed, the graphics were fantastic, and the controls fit the Vita perfectly.

19. Rogue Legacy

The player’s main goal was to explore a randomly generated dungeon and defeat four bosses. However, if your character ever died, you wouldn’t revert to a previous save and instead, take up control of one of three heirs.

These subsequent characters each had unique traits such as color-blindness, dwarfism, and ADHD, which gave them abilities that other characters lacked.

It was an amazingly imaginative mechanic that made it stand out from so many games that otherwise were just run-of-the-mill dungeon crawls.

18. Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward

The second game in the Zero Escape series, Virtue’s Last Reward, followed the story of Sigma, who is abducted with eight other people and forced to play the Nonary Game.

Every scenario in the game requires players to solve puzzles in escape room-type settings where the stakes are life or death.

While it came out in 2012, today, this game will appeal to fans of the hit Korean show Squid Game, which became one of Netflix’s biggest series, since their stories are so similar.

17. TxK

Mimicking the style of classic arcade games, TxK was an addicting tunnel shooter with an action-packed soundtrack and a save system that wouldn’t make your rage quit.

While the art style could sometimes be overwhelming, it was hard to put down when you started playing, especially if you were already a fan of the Atari game Tempest, which it shares similarities with.

It feels like something you could play on one of the best Sega Saturn emulators, but with graphics that make it look sleek and modern.

16. Odin Sphere Leifthrasir

Created as a side-scrolling 2D game, Odin Sphere Leifthrasir was an enhanced version of the PS2 game Odin Sphere.

This game combined classic fairytales, Norse mythology, and famous Shakespearian stories to create a vibrant world that the player could explore.

The combat was smooth, the characters were well-designed, and the visuals were updated to bring this classic game into the next generation.

15. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc

Although Danganronpa looks like one of the cute games you’d expect to appeal to all ages, it was actually really brutal and had a dark storyline.

Giving players control of a high school student trapped in a school where only murderers graduate, it was up to the player to investigate murders and try to find a way to escape.

A commercial success that spawned an anime, two mangas, and even a stage show, Danganronpa was deceptively addictive, fascinating, and unique.

14. Velocity 2X

A simple shoot ’em up game with stunning visuals, Velocity 2X followed the previous game’s events where Lt. Tana is left drifting in space.

After being captured, players had to help her escape and stop the expansion of the Vokh Empire that had planned to use her teleporting abilities to take over the galaxy.

13. Dragon’s Crown

Dragon’s Crown was the ultimate fantasy action RPG, and it was filled with dungeons to explore and villainous monsters to destroy.

Players were tasked with delving into the dark underworld to uncover treasure and the secrets of the dragon threatening to end the world.

The controls worked perfectly with the PS Vita, and its swashbuckling magic slinging was welcoming for fans of classic fantasy.

12. Uncharted: Golden Abyss

While Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is one of the best PS4 games to play right now, it was Golden Abyss that brought Nathan Drake to the PS Vita.

In this installment, Nathan Drake is hot on the trail of an ancient Spanish sect that leads him to undiscovered temples and vast caverns as he searches for a legendary lost city.

Although critics didn’t expect it to be a perfect game when ported, Uncharted surprised everyone by bringing everything great about the series to this handheld console.

11. Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair

Danganronpa 2 built upon the cute but murderous foundation of its first game and sent the class of Hope’s Peak Academy to a pristine island for some fun in the sun.

While it starts off like any other cute Japanese game, the brutal murder soon begins, and the only way to escape is to solve the mysteries of the island, which can be shocking in their own right.

10. Hotline Miami

Set in 1980s Miami, this game kicks off with the player receiving disturbing messages on their character’s answering machine that push you to commit terrible, violent acts.

Things quickly turn brutal as players have to use any of the 35 unique weapons to bash and shoot their way through and survive until the end.

Between its mechanics and style, Hotline Miami was a great example of a top-down shooter done right.

9. Final Fantasy X / X-2 HD Remaster

Remastering two of the most popular Final Fantasy games, fans of the series were ecstatic when this collection was released.

Final Fantasy X told the story of Tidus who, along with Yuna, must save the world of Spira from a cycle of destruction, while X-2 returns to Spira two years later, where Yuna becomes a sphere hunter.

With over 100 hours of gameplay between the two games, this was a must-have for Final Fantasy fans.

8. Spelunky

This unique platformer has randomized levels that always kept players on their toes due to how random it was.

Every time you’d play, the experience would be new and its inclusion of fully destructible environments made it addicting for fans who love smashing.

7. Shovel Knight

Shovel Knight was a crowdfunded game ported to the PS Vita in 2015 that channels all the charm of retro gaming.

It was inspired by the gameplay and graphics from some of the most popular Nintendo games of all time, which could be easily seen while playing it.

The 8-bit 2D side-scroller may look like other games in the same genre, its plot was extraordinarily written, it had loads of great features, and so much to do, that it was hard for players to ever get bored.

6. Severed

Following the story of a warrior lost in a fantasy world, players have to piece together the heroine’s story from both the past and future to unlock new abilities and grow to master their skills.

The world itself is filled with interesting secrets and engaging enemies that you could fight using a gesture-based combat mechanic that was really well implemented.

5. Guacamelee!

This brawler gave players control of luchador Juan on an adventure to save the world and El Presidente’s daughter from the evil Charro Skeleton.

Set in a small Mexican village, the game was non-linear, with loads to do and places to explore.

Guacamelee! was exceptionally unique and one of the best games in the brawler genre for the PS Vita.

4. Rayman Origins

Rayman Origins brought the iconic character to Sony’s handheld in high-definition and brings back everything fans loved about the series.

The PS Vita’s version was praised by critics for its style, level design, and amazing sense of humor.

It brought back everything great about classic platformers and made it available for a new generation on Vita’s bright OLED screen.

3. Tearaway

Set in a paper world this third-player platformer made use of almost all of the PS Vita’s features.

You could use the camera to add pictures in-game, draw pictures on the touchscreen, or use the rear touchpad to interact with enemies and the environment.

It was a fun colorful experience that highlighted all the strengths of the console and it made you want to play the game for longer just to

unlock all the secrets.

2. Gravity Rush

Gravity Rush gave players the ability to control the gravity around them to save the in-game world from destruction.

You could tilt the PS Vita to initiate moves and unleash devastating attacks, all while venturing through the mysterious world and uncovering the secrets of your character’s past.

Gravity Rush was such a well-designed game that showed just how interactive the PlayStation brand of console could be.

1. Persona 4 Golden

Serving as an enhanced version of the game released originally for the PS2, this was technically the fifth installment in the Persona series and it takes our top spot for its gameplay, design, music, story, and characters.

Blending RPG elements with features found in some of the best real-life simulation games, Persona 4 Golden revolves around the personas of the protagonist that each have their own skills and abilities.

You could create new personas and teach existing ones new skills to become stronger.

There was so much to do and so many amazing characters to interact with that we’re not surprised it ended up winning so many awards and gaining millions of fans.

Summary

We hope you enjoyed our list of the best PS Vita Games of all time!

While we wish Sony’s handheld would have stuck around longer, these games will always live rent-free in our minds. We’re definitely fortunate enough to have gotten to play them when they were first released!

Here’s a quick recap of the 50 best PS Vita games of all time

1. Persona 4 Golden
2. Gravity Rush
3. Tearaway
4. Rayman Origins
5. Guacamelee!
6. Severed
7. Shovel Knight
8. Spelunky
9. Final Fantasy X / X-2 HD Remaster
10. Hotline Miami
11. Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair
12. Uncharted: Golden Abyss
13. Dragon’s Crown
14. Velocity 2X
15. Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
16. Odin Sphere Leifthrasir
17. TxK
18. Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward
19. Rogue Legacy
20. Rayman Legends
21. Mortal Kombat
22. Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition
23. OlliOlli 2: Welcome to Olliwood
24. LittleBigPlanet
25. Sine Mora
26. The Walking Dead: A Telltale Games Series
27. Darkest Dungeon
28. Dragon Quest Builders
29. Killzone: Mercenary
30. Soul Sacrifice Delta
31. Metal Gear Solid HD Collection
32. Limbo
33. Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
34. Child of Light
35. Axiom Verge
36. Thomas Was Alone
37. Need for Speed: Most Wanted
38. Fez
39. Freedom Wars
40. Ys: Memories of Celceta
41. MotorStorm RC
42. PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale
43. Borderlands 2
44. Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation
45. Velocity Ultra
46. Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3
47. Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack
48. Lumines Electronic Symphony
49. Dariusburst: Chronicle Saviours
50. Wipeout 2048

What’s the best PS Vita game, in your opinion? Leave a comment below.