5 PlayStation Vita games for any new owner

The PlayStation Vita. Sony’s little console that could. This portable console has not been the greatest success for Sony when it comes to hardware sales, and has been overshadowed by the Nintendo 3DS. But the Vita is still a great portable console to buy, with some amazing games available for it.

So what should you buy if you are interested in picking up a Vita? Well I have gathered together 5 games that would be a great start for anyone to pick up if they are thinking of buying a PlayStation Vita. 

1: Rogue Legacy

To start off this list we have Rogue Legacy. This platformer is a great start for any new Vita owners. The rogue-like nature of the game means it can be played in short bursts, so it’s great for playing on the go. The visuals look really nice, as well. The addictive nature of leveling up your character and seeing how far you can get into the castle before you die, will keep you playing hours on end.

2. Freedom Wars 

If you have played Monster Hunter, then you already know what this game is – only it has more guns, mechs, and a grappling hook. Freedom Wars is based in a dystopian future where you must work off your one million year prison sentence by collecting supplies and saving people for your city or Panopticon. The combat is brilliant, fighting the mechs (called abductors) is always fun because of their variety, and there are loads of weapons to use and upgrade. This game is great for those who don’t mind putting in the extra hour or two to get that rare material drop. Just make sure you bring a friend along for the ride.

3. Shovel Knight 

Shovel Knight is an amazing game, and a callback to the 8-bit era. It has brilliant platforming, an amazing soundtrack and beautiful 8-bit visuals. This game is perfect for all those who want to relive a time when the NES was at its peak and platformers were gamers’ bread and butter. Plus the protagonist wields a shovel – who doesn’t want that?

4. Killzone Mercenary 

Now we go from a game that looked like it came out for the NES, to one that looks like it could have come from the PlayStation 3. Killzone Mercenary is one of the best AAA games available for the Vita. The visuals look amazing for a portable game. The Vita control scheme was nicely implemented, with good use of the touch screen. And the online isn’t too bad either. If you are a fan of FPS games, this is for you.

5. Persona 4 Golden

Can’t leave this one out. This port of the PlayStation 2 game Persona 4 is the main reason I’m glad I picked up a Vita. The turn-based combat is sound, with a wide selection of personas to use for the main protagonist. The main story and social links kept me coming back for more. Each character you meet is memorable and are developed nicely. Persona 4 Golden is a game any RPG fan should give a shot. It fixes a lot of the problems with the original and adds so much more to play through.

These aren’t the only games a Vita owner should pick up.

Uncharted Golden Abyss and the Dangan Ronpa series also come to mind, but from my experience with playing the Vita, the five games above should be up there on a list of games to pick up compared to others. 

So what are you waiting for? If you have been thinking of picking up a Vita or have already got one and are not too sure what games to get, now you have a starting point.