![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="439" width="780" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
When you ponder about the best gaming handhelds out right now, we’re sure the Nintendo 3DS and iOS/Android powered devices come to mind.
What’s sad is the fact that Sony’s successor to the excellent PlayStation Portable doesn’t get as much love from Sony. It’s a powerful device with a sleek design and the ability to output impressive visual fidelity. This may come as a shock to some of you, but the PS Vita was granted a lineup of great games in 2016. We’re talking quality RPG’s, platformers, visual novels and action/adventure romps. We’ve dug through most of the PS Vita’s 2016 games library and arrived with these 10 standout titles for you to enjoy.
If you still own a PS Vita, then these 2016 titles definitely belong on your portable platform (that’s sadly on life support…)
Severed
Sasha’s a warrior with one arm. Doesn’t sound like much of a threat, does she? Well that’s where you’re wrong. The loss of her family and her unyielding mission to find them puts her on a warpath with her powerful living sword in hand. The touchscreen-based battle system lets you hack all manner of baddies and sever their body parts off completely. Severed’s interesting art design brings Sasha’s torn world to life beautifully. It features light RPG mechanics, a fun equipment system, an incredible soundtrack and battles/puzzles that will truly challenge you. Make sure you spend plenty of time with Drinkbox Studios’ portable epic on your PS Vita.
Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth
Now here’s a game that got the right treatment by getting ported over to the States. This former Japanese exclusive got plenty of loyal fans behind it thanks to the presence of memorable Digimon characters. Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth makes you a male/female mystery solver who just so happens to wipe out digital threats with an army of powerful monsters. While the battle system is simple in execution, the rest of the game features several quality elements. There’s tons of Digimon to collect, an engrossing storyline that seemingly lasts for ages and addictive party upgrading mechanics. Need a lengthy JRPG for your handy Vita? You can’t go wrong with this Digimon battle simulator.
Buy Digimon Story: Cyber Sleuth here.
![](data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,<svg height="161" width="242" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" version="1.1"/>)
World of Final Fantasy
World of Final Fantasy is a playable love letter to Square Enix’s beloved RPG franchise. Fans who’ve stuck around through the many high’s (and recent low’s) of the series will love everything that’s featured here. It introduces two new characters who make use of familiar Final Fantasy heroes, villains, magic and summons within a cool stacking battle system. The Active Time Battle (ATB) system returns, which is nice callback to the RPG series’ golden era. The cutesy, lovable art style of this RPG endears itself well to such a colorful and whimsical take on Final Fantasy’s legacy.
Buy World of Final Fantasy here.
Zero Time Dilemma
Now here’s a game that makes every choice you make hit you hard when it results in a death. Zero Time Dilemma presents you with a dark adventure that tests your puzzle solving skills to the fullest. The game hits you with a series of situations where it’s up to you to complete “fragments,” which usually leads into cinematic sequences, Escape puzzle sections and the toughest segments of all – moral decision moments. If you managed to trek through the super tough Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors and Virtue’s Last Reward, then this title should instantly be familiar to you. Series creator Kotaro Uchikoshi knocked it out of the park again with this one.
Dragon Quest Builders
Square Enix had a great year. Final Fantasy is back in a respectable place thanks to the aforementioned game on our list and the release of FF XV. Along with those two gaming highlights, the Japanese RPG giant also graced us with Minecraft meets Dragon Quest aka Dragon Quest Builders. What separates this game from its inspiration is the fact that it actually gives you more focused missions to complete. Plus it features all the lovable elements that fans have regarded highly since the Dragon Quest franchise was first introduced. The land of Alefgard can be rebuilt however you please, so take your time and have a ball cutting down Slimes and crafting cute villages.
Buy Dragon Quest Builders here.
Salt and Sanctuary
We never knew we wanted a side-scrolling rendition of Dark Souls, but we’re glad someone realized our unknown desires for us. Ska Studios obviously took note of FromSoftware’s hardcore action RPG series for their take on the franchise. Salt and Sanctuary throws you into a world rife with strife, as evidenced by all the darkness that enraptures it. Your custom character can adopt one/two-handed weapons, shields, magical spells and other essential tools for battle. The gameplay is deep and expectedly tough to endure. Finally beating Salt and Sanctuary will put you on a high that’s hard to come down from. Multiple playthrough’s of this dark adventure are a must.
Buy a PSN Gift Card here so you can digitally purchase Salt and Sanctuary.
Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Star Wars not only hit the big screen in fine fashion once again this year, it also made waves in video game form. Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens jams in the usual stud collecting and hilarious inside jokes past games did so well. But it manages to freshen up the experience by adding in surprisingly fun cover shooting sections, multiple ways to solve puzzling situations and official lore for that galaxy far, far away. All those side missions, expansive planets and extra playable characters makes it the perfect pick-up for Star Wars‘ biggest fans and annual Lego game adopters. May the (blocky) Force be with you…
Buy Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens here.
Lego Marvel’s Avengers
For the 2nd Lego game on our list, we’re heading into Marvel Super Heroes territory. Lego Marvel’s Avengers mashes together the cinematic experiences of standout MCU films into your usual Lego video game. Marvel’s take on the city that never sleeps is back and fully explorable, which means a wealth of side missions and comic book Easter Eggs are ready to discovered. With over 200 heroes and villains to collect, there’s a near limitless amount of team-up moves you’ll end up activating as well. Tap into your Marvel Comics fandom with this quality take on the MCU in Lego form.
Buy Lego Marvel’s Avengers here.
The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II
Here’s one of 2016’s most overlooked JRPG’s. The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II re-introduces its heart tugging plot developments, deep combat mechanics and party member relationship elements to fans of the 1st game. The nation of Erebonia is in disarray, but Rean and his closest allies must come together to fix things. Bringing everything back to normalcy means hopping in giant mech’s for climactic battles, traveling the world in a beautiful airship and properly linking attacks in order to brave the toughest encounters. The 3rd game is on the way, so make sure you dedicate plenty of time to this sequel before you move on to the next one.
Buy The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel II here.
Darkest Dungeon
Darkest Dungeon is one of the hardest gaming trials we’ve endured this year. Taking on grotesque creatures isn’t the only danger presented to you and your party; the dangers of mental status ailments can bring your warriors down to nothingness real fast. Managing your characters’ stress levels and also making sure they navigate through dangerous dungeons somewhat unscathed are on your to-do list. The art style perfectly reflects the horrific monsters the game’s massive manor and dungeons houses. A true challenge awaits those in Darkest Dungeon, Red Hook Studios’ mind-breaking dungeon crawler.
Buy a PSN Gift Card here so you can digitally purchase Darkest Dungeon.
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
We’ve enjoyed all of Shantae’s past adventures. But we’ve always pined to see her move around in a world that reflects the strong character art seen in those games. Shantae: Half-Genie Hero makes those dreams come true with a fully realized HD platformer. The strong platforming and transformation powers make their return, as well as the series’ penchant for throwing you into battles against massive bosses. And it shouldn’t come as a shock that the music is catchy as hell. Side-scrolling platformers are still alive and well thanks to strong 2016 releases such as Shantae: Half-Genie Hero.
Buy Shantae: Half-Genie Hero here.
