Sony may have not released any games for the PlayStation Vita in 2016, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t games to play. Indie developers have given their support to the system, which has kept the PlayStation Store fresh with new releases. From ports of some of last year’s best titles to some exciting new releases, 2016 was a better year for the PlayStation Vita than many would’ve guessed.
That said, not all of the Vita’s 2016 releases got the attention they deserved. Many great games fell through the cracks, and it’s totally possible that gamers missed out on some fantastic handheld experience. So, to help recap the year and to give gamers a good list of games to check out, we’ve come up with 10 great overlooked PlayStation Vita games.
Check out PlayStation LifeStyle’s list below to see what great overlooked Vita games you may have missed out on in 2016:
We hope you enjoyed our look at overlooked Vita games you may have missed out on. On top of these smaller releases, the system also saw high profile games like Severed and Zero Time Dilemma come out in 2016. It’s great to see third party developers stepping up and giving Vita owners something to play when Sony has completely dropped the ball in terms of support. There are games to play, players just have to look a little harder at finding them.
Let us know in the comments what your favorite Vita games were of 2016, and if you experienced any surprises this year!
Essential Reading:
Overlooked 2016 Vita Games
-
2016 Vita Games You Overlooked
-
10 Second Ninja X
What can you accomplish in just 10 seconds? That's the question that 10 Second Ninja X asks, and it turns out that the answer is quite a bit. This challenging platformer features bite-sized levels that are almost as much of a puzzle as a test of reflexes.
-
Axiom Verge
Axiom Verge is the best Metroidvania since Shadow Complex, and it's now available on PlayStation Vita. Chandler described the game perfectly in his review, as he said it "leverages everything you’ve come to expect from retro gaming and uses it all to create a memorable new platformer that gives even the best classic Metroidvania games a run for their money."
-
Hue
Puzzle-platformer Hue is more about solving puzzles than testing your reflexes. The core mechanic revolves around changing the color of the world around you, and it uses this idea in some inventive ways. If you don't mind getting stuck every once in a while, then check it out.
-
Lara Croft GO
Lara Croft GO is impressive in how the follow-up to the excellent Hitman GO feels fresh yet familiar. It builds upon the same turn-based gameplay of the previous title, but has a greater focus on puzzle solving to make it really feel like a Tomb Raider title. It's a great port, and even has extra content, so pick it up.
-
Mutant Mudds: Super Challenge
If you're a fan of skill-based platformers then you'll love Mutant Mudds: Super Challenge. Renegade Kid's 2D platformer provides a staunch difficulty, but ultimately stays fair throughout. Success or failure is always on the player, and that's why the game is so satisfying.
-
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
WayForward continues their beloved platformer series with Shantae: Half-Genie Hero. It's the best game yet, as Half-Genie Hero is a great blend of Metroidvania style exploration and tricky platforming action. Definitely give it a go if you've enjoyed past titles.
-
SteamWorld Heist
SteamWorld Heist isn't just one of the Vita's best games, it's one of the best portable titles period. This inventive turn-based strategy game gets rid of dice rolls and instead has players lining up their shots manually. It creates a tense, and always exciting affair that shouldn't be missed.
-
Stranger of Sword City
One of the Vita's best RPGs this year was Stranger of Sword City. The former Xbox 360 exclusive really shines as a portable title, and its dungeon crawling is well fitted to portable play. Check it out if you're looking for a challenging role-playing game!
-
Volume
Mike Bithell's Volume released on Vita early in the year, and it works quite well on Sony's handheld. The top-down stealth title is a love letter to the genre's early years, as it takes a lot of inspiration from classics like Metal Gear Solid. Check it out if you want something different from the handheld's usual array of platformers and RPGs.
-
XCOM: Enemy Unknown Plus
While XCOM 2 may have stole the headlines in 2016, the PS3 classic XCOM: Enemy Unknown received a PlayStation Vita port as well. That means players can now play the fantastic strategy game on the go. This release may have not received much hype, but it's well worth playing.
