The best PS Vita games of all time

One of Media Molecule’s best and most creative games to date, Tearaway is a 3D platformer set in a papercraft world. As players progress through the environments, they’ll need to peel, cut, and rearrange paper objects to solve puzzles, and occasionally they’ll even make use of the rear touchpad to give themselves a boost onto a higher platform. White space in the game world is a sign of a collectible item, and once collected these can be printed out and turned into real-life papercraft. Tearaway isn’t action-packed and features little in the way of story, but it’s a whimsical and extremely unique game. The best part is that it utilizes all of the PS Vita’s features without feeling overly gimmicky.

An influential game for both the indie development scene and the industry at large, Hotline Miami helped prove that retro-inspired visuals and deep, meaningful storytelling were not mutually exclusive. Set in a neon-drenched 1980s with noir influences, the game’s intensely violent combat goes hand-in-hand with its mysterious narrative, which is a commentary on video game violence and the player’s role in it. Aside from its message, however, it’s a blast to play, with pinpoint accuracy as players make their way through buildings and blast and beat enemies they find. One shot is enough to die, making careful planning and reflexes are required. Even multiple mission failures aren’t enough to deter players from trying again because it just feels so perfect.

The sequel to the excellent 2D platformer Rayman Origins, Ubisoft’s Rayman Legends is an even better take on the no-frills series. As the titular character, either solo or with friends, players make their way through each level collecting the game’s Lums, defeating enemies with powerful punches, and discovering secret areas. The floaty jumping and running feel remarkably different from Mario or Sonic, but where Rayman Legends really separates itself are its musical stages. They’re set to rudimentary covers of classic tunes like “Black Betty” and “Eye of the Tiger,” and passing obstacles to the beat puts a massive smile on anyone’s face.

What better game could there possibly be to launch a new PlayStation system than Uncharted? The prequel Uncharted: Golden Abyss doesn’t feel like a dumbed-down take on the series, with a full-length story and several huge set-pieces that would feel at home in the console versions. Nathan Drake is as chatty and charming as ever, and the game’s motion-assisted weapon aiming makes it incredibly easy to line up a headshot. Perhaps its only sin is relying too heavily on the Vita’s motion features for platforming sections, as moving the console from side to side to balance on a log gets older rather quickly.

Resistance: Burning Skies failed to translate its series’ epic action to the Vita, but Killzone: Mercenary definitely did. Split into bite-sized missions perfect for on-the-go play, Mercenary puts players in control of a hired gun willing to work with both the Helghast and the ISA in their ongoing war. Its story is secondary to its action, which is better than any other handheld first-person shooter, and things get even better online. Killzone: Mercenary’s competitive mode features several game modes and even perk-style power-ups to take out several enemies, and it’s one of the only options for hardcore shooter fans.

The PlayStation Vita is home to a surprising number of visual novels, and few are better than Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward. A successor to 999, the game’s blend of puzzle and mysterious intrigue is perfect for when players are ready to get under the covers in bed and game for hours. Choosing dialogue options and items to use as the kidnapping story becomes clearer, players can see just how dark and twisted it can get — there are even Battle Royale style on the main characters, ready to detonate if they fail.

PlayStation Vita’s game Play Station All-Stars Battle Royale clearly took inspiration from Nintendo’s Super Smash Bros., but it has its own unique feel. For instance, players take out their enemies by executing super-powered actions instead of knocking them off a platform. You’ll see first-party heroes like Kratos and Nathan Drake, but you’ll also see characters from other companies, such as Dante from DmC: Devil May Cry and Raiden from Metal Gear Rising. It’s not quite as high up there as Smash Bros., but Royale is a fantastic addition to parties.