10 PS Vita Exclusive Games That Will Blow Your Mind – You Won’t Believe #7!

by

Summary

  • PS Vita was underrated but had great exclusives like Persona 4 Golden and Killzone: Mercenary.
  • LittleBigPlanet PS Vita and Muramasa Rebirth showcased innovative touch controls.
  • Games like Phantasy Star Nova and Tales of Hearts R remain trapped on the PS Vita, longing for modern consoles.

The PlayStation Vita, launched in North America in 2012 (a few months after its debut in Japan in 2011), didn’t receive the recognition it deserved at the time. However, looking back, it’s clear that this portable console was a gem and many of its exclusive games are still enjoyed today, even off their original hardware. For instance, the recently released “Freedom Wars” can be seen as a clone of “Monster Hunter”.

The remastered version of the PS2 game, Persona 4 Golden, gained popularity and even sparked a dancing spinoff, Persona 4 Dancing, exclusively for the PS Vita. However, the dancing game eventually made its way to other consoles as well. Now, which PS Vita game do you think deserves a modern console release next?

8. Adventures Of Mana

A More Faithful Remake

The game titled “Adventures of Mana” is actually a reimagining of the 1991 release for Game Boy, known as “Final Fantasy Adventure” in North America. Contrary to its name suggesting a spinoff from the “Final Fantasy” series, it instead signified the start of the “Mana” franchise.

Initially, it underwent a revamp for the Game Boy Advance and was rechristened as Sword Of Mana, featuring numerous modifications such as two starting protagonists. Despite being commendable, it deviated significantly from its original form. On the other hand, Adventures of Mana served as a more accurate remake, launched on mobile devices and PS Vita in 2016. Regrettably, neither update has been re-released since their initial platform launches, which is truly disappointing.

7. Killzone: Mercenary

A Pretty Solid Portable Shooter

In many instances, spin-off games for popular console series may not receive as much attention or acclaim. However, the Killzone series bucked this trend with exceptional titles like “Killzone: Liberation” on PSP, which offered a captivating top-down cover shooter experience, and “Killzone: Mercenary”, a well-received FPS on PS Vita. What sets “Killzone: Mercenary” apart is that players took on the role of mercenaries, allowing them some decision-making freedom within the war, although these choices didn’t drastically alter the game’s outcome.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve always been a fan of the Killzone series, especially the one that stuck with the PlayStation Vita family. It’d be a dream come true to experience all six major Killzone games, including Mercenary, remastered for the PS5 or any future console platform. The touch-sensitive controls in Mercenary were innovative at the time, but the upgraded haptic feedback on the PS5 controller could seamlessly replace those features, making the gaming experience even smoother.

6. LittleBigPlanet PS Vita

Touch-Based Platforming Bliss

As a gamer, I found that LittleBigPlanet for PS Vita was quite distinct from other touch-controlled games, especially compared to Killzone: Mercenary. Instead of the familiar layout, LittleBigPlanet PS Vita offered a more experimental gaming experience. In this game, you can customize your Sackboy or Sackgirl character, and then dive into the eccentric 2D worlds that are signature to the series.

The PlayStation Vita version of LittleBigPlanet might be the most creative installment in the series due to its touch-based mechanics, though it’s not quite as innovative as Tearaway. Still, LittleBigPlanet PS Vita is a platformer that keeps you guessing with its surprises. Just like Tearaway, which moved to the PS4 for a full remake/reimagining, it’s possible that LittleBigPlanet PS Vita could receive an upgrade for the PlayStation 5.

5. Muramasa Rebirth

A Pint-Sized Ninja Remaster

Back in 2009, I got my hands on a gem called “Muramasa: The Demon Blade” for the Wii. Even after all these years, it’s clear to me why Vanillaware holds it in high regard. You see, as a player, you get to pick from two unique characters and journey through 2D landscapes filled with adversaries. Battling these foes and progressing through levels only serves to make your character stronger over time. It’s a game that still holds up incredibly well!

In 2013, the previously launched ninja action game was rebranded as Muramasa Rebirth for the PS Vita. Enhancements included refined controls and graphical upgrades, along with additional mini-campaigns featuring secondary characters. The game’s visual appeal on the OLED screen suggested that it would shine even brighter in 4K resolution on larger displays.

4. Phantasy Star Nova

A Missing Spinoff By tri-Ace

Supporters of the “Star Ocean” franchise might recognize tri-Ace as its developer. They’ve expanded their horizons, contributing to other renowned franchises including a brief collaboration on the “Phantasy Star” series for Sega, specifically with “Phantasy Star Nova”.

Fans of Phantasy Star Online 2 will find themselves comfortable with this game due to its similar playstyle. However, it’s exclusively available on the PlayStation Vita and hasn’t been released in North America. It debuted in Japan in 2014 and expanded into Asian territories a year later, but that’s where its distribution ended. For dedicated Phantasy Star enthusiasts, this omission is a significant loss.

3. Silent Hill: Book Of Memories

A Bizarre Diablo-Like

Instead of making a big splash like the recent remake of Silent Hill 2, Silent Hill: Book of Memories was released with a more subtle impact. Unlike many other games, it departs from a dramatic narrative to embrace gameplay reminiscent of Diablo. It wasn’t what most fans expected when it launched on PS Vita in 2012, but over the years it has amassed a dedicated fanbase.

Originally created by the team behind numerous hit titles such as the Shantae series and games like The Mummy Demastered, Silent Hill: Book of Memories might have had some issues upon its initial release. However, with a remaster, it could certainly overcome those early flaws.

2. Tales Of Hearts R

One Of Many Missing Tales

Fans of the Tales of series eagerly awaited the arrival of Tales of Hearts R, a game that finally came out in 2008 for the DS in Japan, featuring two distinct versions. One version showcased CG cutscenes, while the other presented anime cutscenes, making it an exceptional release within the series since it typically uses only anime cutscenes.

In 2014, when Tales of Hearts R was launched in North America, it closely followed the anime adaptation. As for its companion game, Tales of Innocence R, they both were exclusive to the PS Vita platform. Noteworthy is that Tales of Innocence R has yet to be released anywhere other than Japan.

1. Uncharted: Golden Abyss

Nathan Drake’s Origins

In 2012, when the PlayStation Vita was introduced in North America, one of its launch games was “Uncharted: Golden Abyss.” This game serves as a prequel to the original Uncharted series, focusing on a younger Nathan Drake’s early adventures. While some familiar characters like Sully are only introduced later, this spin-off still managed to satisfy the craving for adventure that fans have come to expect from the Uncharted series.

Adventurers continue their quests by delving into jungle ruins and encountering numerous armed militia members who are all racing to claim the treasure. Interestingly, there are two Uncharted games exclusively available on the PS Vita. The second game, titled “Uncharted: Fight for Fortune,” is a card game that was also introduced in 2012.

Read More

2025-01-16 22:56