Holiday Gift Guide: PS Vita Games

It’s that time of year again – time to do your last minute shopping and satisfy the gamer needs of your family, friends and other loved ones. Rather than rushing out and buying a forgettable game, though, how about getting those ideal stocking stuffers they’ll love? If you need assistance with that, don’t worry, we’re here to help!

In this particular guide, we’re looking at the PS Vita, Sony’s fun little gaming handheld system. There are a number of superb titles to choose from here, but these ten will make anybody’s holiday brighter. 

Without further ado, here are our selections.

Tearaway (SCEA)

Media Molecule has done great things with its LittleBigPlanet franchise over the years, but what’s left to do after creating one of this generation’s most adorable adventures? Simple – just make another one. Tearaway is a combination of endearing 3D exploration and old-school arts-and-crafts, as players guide a messenger through a consistently unfolding world of beauty and danger. Featuring innovative gameplay that takes advantage of the Vita’s capabilities, and the ability to create your own content from blueprints hidden in the game, it’s a wondrous addition to anyone’s game library. 

The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season (Telltale Games)

The Walking Dead’s first season really shook us to our core on game consoles, so it shouldn’t be any surprise that the PS Vita version is equally effective. In this survival horror game, players guide a pair of survivors through numerous difficult missions while avoiding a growing zombie horde. The decisions in this game don’t come easy – sometimes players have to make the hard call when it comes to utter survival – but there’s no question the emotional involvement it brings is better than most games on the market. If you’ve got a loved one that desires something zombie related this holiday season, The Walking Dead will fit the bill. 

Sly Cooper: Thieves In Time (SCEA) 

The master thief and his gang of likable goons made their return this year on both the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita, and Thieves In Time easily registers as one of Sly’s greatest tales to date. Featuring huge environments to explore – and ransack for goodies – the sequel also brings back the traditional stealth/action gameplay we’ve come to expect from the series over the years. It’s got also got that level of charm that players of all ages will enjoy. Best of all, the game’s only $20 – and you can purchase the PS3 version and download the Vita version at no extra charge. Two gifts in one! 

Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition (WB Games)

After scoring a knockout on consoles earlier this year, Netherrealm Studios’ fantastic brawler finally made its way to Vita. Despite the shrunken down format, the game hasn’t lost any of its explosive impact. Utilizing a number of heroes and villains from the DC Universe, players will go on an entertaining journey across the universe, making unexpected alliances and ultimately saving the world from destruction. With numerous S.T.A.R. Labs missions, extra characters (how about that Lobo!) and interactive environments, there’s more than enough action here to satisfy your comic book-loving friends this holiday season. 

Soul Sacrifice (SCEA)

Although the PS Vita doesn’t have a Monster Hunter title – yet, anyway – it does have the next best thing with Comcept’s amazing action game. In Soul Sacrifice, players will relive the tales of some of the best warriors in the world, encountering enormous enemies and putting them through their paces with battle tactics. Even though the game is a bit more on the mature side, it’s a beautiful game, filled with exciting battles and startling tactics that will light up the Vita screen. The game recently dropped in price to $20, making it an affordable adventure on anyone’s budget. 

Rayman Legends (Ubisoft)

It may be missing the ridiculous multiplayer mode from the console versions, but the rest of Rayman Legends’ fun content remains perfectly intact for the PS Vita version. Players guide the limbless hero – or one of his friends – through a trouble-filled world, battling minions while collecting Lums and freeing Teensies from capture. With hours of levels to explore and unlock – including some engaging music stages – and bonus goodies galore, Rayman Legends is one of the best games you can get for Sony’s handheld right now. Buy your friend a copy, then get one for yourself. You can thank us later.

Dragon’s Crown (Atlus)

If you’re like us, you probably remember playing some form of hack-and-slash game on older game systems, such as Sega’s Golden Axe series. Thanks to the talented team at Vanillaware, Atlus has managed to bring those good ol’ days back in an amazing new game, Dragon’s Crowd. This artistically charged adventure game has players choose from six different warriors, battling the odds as they try and bring peace to the countryside. With a number of battle tactics to unlock, and the ability to play multiplayer either with Vita or PlayStation 3 owners, this Crown will make anyone feel like royalty.  

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate (WB Games) 

Console owners may have Batman: Arkham Origins to play around with, but this holiday season, you can give your fellow Dark Knight fans something to celebrate on their PS Vita. Blackgate is a thrilling adventure, where you guide Batman through an elaborate prison, battling familiar enemies while trying to save Gotham City from caving in on itself. Featuring a classic side-scrolling style set-up – but utilizing a number of Batman’s fancy toys and fighting techniques – this game is a romp from beginning to end.

Muramasa Rebirth (Aksys Games)

Originally released for the Wii a couple of years ago, Muramasa is a breathtaking side-scrolling adventure, where players guide one of two ninja warriors on a spiritual quest – one filled with dangerous enemies and various sword upgrades. Aksys Games has managed to bring this game to the PS Vita with flying colors, featuring an exquisite art style, sharp gameplay, and bonus goodies to unlock. If there’s someone in your social circle that admires swordplay – or just wants a classic action experience for on-the-go play – this is a must-buy. 

Killzone: Mercenary (SCEA)

Finally, the PS Vita may not have many first-person shooters to turn to, but we can easily recommend one that stands out as the best of the bunch – Killzone: Mercenary. Guerrilla Games’ Cambridge team has done an amazing job packing all the action that the series has become known for into the PS Vita, complete with touch-screen integration and various multiplayer options. Throw in a whole bunch of firefights and powerful weaponry, and you’ll have someone create a ruckus during Christmas dinner in no time flat. Just make sure they don’t take out their aggression on the turkey.