The PlayStation Vita was released back in 2011 (Japan) and 2012 (Europe) and was the successor to the PSP, which was released in 2004/05.
I bought my PSVita in 2013 on a whim because I wanted to check it out. I bought it with Spy Hunter and Mortal Kombat, which kept me busy for a while before I figured out what other games took my fancy. It was my first PlayStation console since the PS2ꟷI hadn’t yet bought a PS3.
To begin with, I was impressed with the Vita. The screen was a decent size for playing on and being able to see it (back then, anyway, my eyesight has only gone downhill since then). It had a decent weight to it, and the buttons were a decent size for those of us with fat fingers. I also really liked the touchpad on the back which admittedly can only be used with some games, but still, it’s a nice feature (more on this later). All in all, I enjoyed playing on a handheld, which I hadn’t really done since I got my Nintendo 3DS a few years earlier. But the Vita seemed a bit different and just overall better. I enjoyed playing the Vita so much that it led me to buy my PS3, well, that and the release of The Last of Us.
All this being said, I hadn’t played on the Vita for a while until I recently re-discovered it and thought I’d jump back into some of the games that I played (oh, God) a decade ago. I’ll go through some of my favourites below.
Tearaway is a third-person papercraft platforming game that was released in 2013. The game makes use of pretty much all of the features of the Vita. There are sections that require you to punch through paper on the floor using the touchpad on the back, others where you take photos of your surroundings, and still others where you have to use the touchscreen to draw on coloured paper to cut out things for the various characters.
Tearaway was such a blast for me. It really stood out because it didn’t just stick to the usual platforming routine. Instead, it got me involved in the game in ways I never expected, thanks to the Vita’s cool features. I mean, being able to interact with the game using the touch controls and cameras was pretty cool. And let’s not forget about unlocking the papercraft things you could actually make; that was a neat touch.
Going back to Tearaway now I was able to jump back in with no problems and really enjoyed going back into the papery world. From then, to now, the game hasn’t lost anything and is still worth playing now. It makes me want to go back to the remake that was done for the PS4…in fact, I probably will.
Lone Survivor: Director’s Cut for the PSVita is a survival horror game that plunges players into a nightmarish world filled with psychological twists and eerie atmospheres. Originally released in 2013, this Director’s Cut edition, tailored for the PSVita, introduced enhanced gameplay mechanics, additional story elements, and refined visuals, further immersing players in its haunting narrative. As the protagonist navigates through the shadowy corridors of his own psyche, confronting monsters and unravelling mysteries, the game delivers a chilling and unforgettable experience for handheld gaming enthusiasts.
One night I was trawling the PlayStation store looking for something new to play when I came across Lone Survivor. After viewing the trailer and whatnot, I decided that it was something I’d enjoy. I mean, retro art style and horror how can you go wrong with that? Unlike most survival horror games (like Dead Space and Resident Evil VII), I actually had no issues playing it because I was too much of a wuss to carry on.
Unlike Tearaway, Lone Survivor doesn’t make use of the technical doo-hickys that the Vita has available, but it still works on a handheld system. If anything, the game benefits from the small screen because it adds to the dark, claustrophobic feeling that you get when playing a survival horror. Plus, with its multiple endings and scenarios, it’s got that replayability that you want from a game. This replayability came in handy when I went back to the game recently. It was easy to start a new game and go about making the various choices, because by now I’ve forgotten most of what was in the game and how to get it.
Lemmings Touch for the PSVita is an addictive puzzle game released in 2014. As the title suggests, it brings the classic Lemmings gameplay to the touch screen, allowing players to guide their adorable Lemmings through various obstacles and challenges using intuitive touch controls. With its nostalgic appeal and clever level design, Lemmings Touch offers a delightful experience for fans of the series and newcomers alike.
I couldn’t not buy Lemmings Touch. I mean, c’mon, it’s Lemmings! Ever since playing Lemmings on the Commodore 64 years and years ago, I’ve been a fan of the suicidal little buggers, so when I saw a newer version for the Vita, it was a must. Now this is a game that lends itself to a touchscreen. Being able to quickly tap where you want them to go and what you want them to use is handy for the harder levels or where you have to act quickly. I spent countless hours playing this game and replaying the later levels that I suck at.
When I came back to my Vita I had honestly forgotten that I’d bought Lemmings Touch. So it was a great surprise to see it installed on the home screen. I got straight back and did a few levels and remembered just why I love Lemmings games. They’re simple, but with a small level of difficulty on them and this game is no exception. Other than the graphics and level design which have been updated, there’s really nothing new in Lemmings Touch, and that’s okay. You could keep churning out similar Lemmings games, and I would still want to play them because they will always have a special place in my heart.
I did play a couple of other games, but nothing else that I’ve put time into. All in all, though, I’ve enjoyed going back to the Vita, and I feel like in another ten years, if I have put it down again, I will have similar experiences when I pick it back up again as I did when I recently went back to the original Gameboy. Although not as nostalgic at this point as an older console, the PSVita still has some good memories for me and I highly recommend going back to yours, or if you’ve never played one, picking one up and giving it a blast. I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed.
Gareth Ellis - Author 