As one of Sony’s most innovative handheld devices, the PlayStation Vita set a new standard for gaming on the go.
It is famed for its remarkable catalog of games, spanning across diverse genres. Among these, platformers have carved out a niche for themselves, delighting gamers with their charm, challenges, and imaginative environments.
This article explores the best PS Vita platformers of all time, offering up a selection of titles that showcase the very best of jumping, climbing, and dodging that this impressive handheld console has to offer.
LittleBigPlanet PS Vita
First on our list is LittleBigPlanet PS Vita, a game that proves you can have an incredible Platform experience on a handheld device. This charming and imaginative title takes the classic platforming formula and adds a dash of creative magic into the mix. With its unique touch controls and robust level editor, you can create your own adventures and share them with the vibrant LittleBigPlanet community.
The game offers a delightful story mode that will take you on a whimsical journey through various colorful worlds. As you progress, you’ll encounter challenging puzzles, hidden treasures, and charming characters that will capture your heart. Whether you prefer playing alone or with friends, LittleBigPlanet PS Vita offers endless fun and creativity.
Imagine yourself diving into the enchanting world of LittleBigPlanet PS Vita. As you embark on your adventure, you’ll be greeted by a mesmerizing landscape filled with lush green meadows, towering mountains, and sparkling rivers. The attention to detail in the game’s visuals is truly remarkable, making every scene feel like a work of art.
One of the standout features of LittleBigPlanet PS Vita is its intuitive touch controls. With a simple swipe of your finger, you can guide your character through treacherous platforming sections, avoiding dangerous obstacles and collecting precious items along the way. The touch controls add a level of precision and responsiveness that enhances the gameplay experience, making every jump and maneuver feel satisfyingly smooth.
Whether you’re a seasoned platforming enthusiast or new to the genre, LittleBigPlanet PS Vita offers a gameplay experience that is both accessible and engaging. The game strikes the perfect balance between challenging platforming sections and moments of lighthearted exploration, ensuring that players of all skill levels can enjoy the adventure.
Spelunky
Next up is the addictive dungeon-crawling platformer, Spelunky. Prepare yourself for countless hours of adrenaline-pumping excitement as you explore treacherous caves filled with traps, monsters, and valuable loot. Each playthrough is procedurally generated, ensuring that no two runs are ever the same.
In Spelunky, you’ll need to rely on your wit and quick reflexes to survive the deadly obstacles that stand in your way. The game’s challenging difficulty will keep you coming back for more as you try to master its secrets and uncover the mysteries lurking in the deep underground.
As you delve deeper into the dark depths of the caves, you’ll encounter a wide array of creatures, each with their own unique abilities and behaviors. From the pesky bats that swoop down from above to the menacing spiders that skitter across the walls, every enemy presents a new challenge that requires careful planning and precise execution to overcome.
But it’s not just the enemies you need to worry about. The caves are also filled with treacherous traps that can catch even the most experienced spelunker off guard. From arrow traps that shoot deadly projectiles to spike pits that wait patiently for an unsuspecting adventurer, every step you take could be your last.
Fortunately, you won’t be completely defenseless in your quest for treasure. Throughout your journey, you’ll come across a variety of weapons and tools that can aid you in your exploration. From trusty ropes that allow you to scale vertical walls to bombs that can blast through obstacles, these items can mean the difference between life and death in the unforgiving depths.
But be careful, as some items may have unintended consequences. The mystical idols scattered throughout the caves, for example, may seem like valuable artifacts worth collecting, but they often come with a catch. Triggering an idol can unleash a cascade of deadly boulders or awaken an ancient guardian, turning what was once a promising run into a desperate fight for survival.
With its addictive gameplay, challenging difficulty, and endless replayability, Spelunky is a must-play for any fan of platformers or roguelike games. So grab your whip, strap on your backpack, and get ready to embark on an unforgettable underground journey filled with danger, excitement, and untold riches.
Murasaki Baby
Murasaki Baby takes you on a surreal and emotionally charged adventure through a hand-drawn world. In this unique and thought-provoking game, you’ll guide a young girl through a nightmarish landscape in search of her mother.
The game’s striking art style and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack create an immersive atmosphere that draws you into its narrative. Through touch controls, you’ll interact with the environment and help the girl navigate through puzzles and challenges. Murasaki Baby is a testament to the power of storytelling in video games and an experience you won’t soon forget.
Rayman Origins
Who doesn’t love the lovable limbless hero, Rayman? Rayman Origins brings the iconic platforming franchise to the PS Vita in all its glorious beauty. With its stunning hand-drawn visuals and infectious soundtrack, this game is a feast for the senses.
Rayman Origins offers a wide variety of levels filled with platforming challenges, secrets to uncover, and whimsical characters to meet. The game’s smooth controls and precise gameplay make it a joy to play, whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the series.
Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee
Embark on an unforgettable journey with Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee. In this captivating adventure, you’ll join Munch, a lovable and quirky creature, as he sets out to uncover the truth behind his endangered species.
The game combines platforming, puzzles, and strategic elements, giving you a unique gameplay experience. With its clever level design and cleverly crafted story, Oddworld: Munch’s Oddysee is a must-play for any Platformer enthusiast.
Gravity Rush
Prepare to defy gravity in the innovative and visually stunning Gravity Rush. You’ll take on the role of Kat, a young girl with the ability to manipulate gravity. With a simple flick of the thumbstick, you can soar through the air, walk on walls, and unleash devastating gravity-based attacks.
As you explore the sprawling city of Hekseville, you’ll uncover the secrets of your powers and encounter a cast of intriguing characters. The game’s unique gravity mechanics and captivating story make it one of the standout titles on the PS Vita.
Shovel Knight
Shovel Knight is a nostalgic love letter to the 8-bit era of gaming. Step into the shoes of the titular Shovel Knight, a valiant hero on a quest to rescue his beloved from the evil Enchantress.
The game combines elements of platforming, action, and RPG progression into a delightful and challenging experience. With its tight controls, charming pixel art, and memorable soundtrack, Shovel Knight is a must-play for fans of classic gaming.
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Ratchet & Clank Collection
Although not an original PS Vita game, the Ratchet & Clank Collection brings three beloved classics from the PlayStation 2 era to the handheld console. Join Ratchet and his trusty robotic companion, Clank, as they embark on intergalactic adventures filled with humor, action, and unforgettable characters.
The collection includes Ratchet & Clank, Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando, and Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal. With their engaging gameplay, stunning visuals, and witty writing, these games are a must-play.
Tearaway
Last but certainly not least is Tearaway, a charming and innovative game that takes full advantage of the PS Vita’s unique features. In this delightful adventure, you’ll guide a paper messenger named Iota or Atoi through a vibrant and imaginative papercraft world.
Using all the capabilities of the PS Vita, including the touchscreen and rear touchpad, you’ll interact with the environment and solve puzzles. The game’s whimsical art style and heartwarming story make Tearaway a true gem that showcases the potential of handheld gaming.
Super Meat Boy
Originally released on consoles and PC, this critically acclaimed title made its way onto the PS Vita, bringing its trademark challenging platforming to the handheld. With its retro-inspired graphics and tight controls, Super Meat Boy offers a satisfying and adrenaline-fueled experience unlike any other. The game’s simple yet addictive mechanics make it a must-play for any Vita owner.
But what sets Super Meat Boy apart from other platformers on the PS Vita? It’s the combination of its unique art style and its punishing difficulty level. The retro-inspired graphics pay homage to the classic games of the past, with pixelated characters and vibrant colors that pop on the Vita’s OLED screen. The tight controls ensure that every jump, slide, and dash feels precise and responsive, allowing you to navigate through the game’s challenging levels with ease.
As you navigate through a series of treacherous levels, filled with deadly traps and enemies, you’ll guide Meat Boy on his quest to rescue his beloved Bandage Girl from the clutches of the evil Dr. Fetus. Each level presents a new set of obstacles and puzzles to overcome, testing your reflexes and problem-solving skills. From spinning saw blades to crumbling platforms, every step you take in Super Meat Boy requires careful planning and precise execution.
But it’s not just the challenging gameplay that keeps players hooked. Super Meat Boy also features a catchy soundtrack that perfectly complements the fast-paced action on screen. The music, composed by Danny Baranowsky, adds an extra layer of intensity and excitement to the game, making each level feel like a pulse-pounding race against time.
Super Meat Boy’s success can also be attributed to its unique sense of humor. The game doesn’t take itself too seriously, often poking fun at its own difficulty and the platforming genre as a whole. From quirky character designs to humorous cutscenes, Super Meat Boy injects a healthy dose of charm and lightheartedness into its challenging gameplay.
Super Meat Boy is a must-play game for any PS Vita owner looking for a challenging and adrenaline-fueled platforming experience. With its retro-inspired graphics, tight controls, punishing difficulty, catchy soundtrack, and unique sense of humor, Super Meat Boy offers a gaming experience that is both satisfying and addictive.
Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack
In this quirky and delightful platformer, you’ll take control of a hungry mutant blob who must navigate its way through a variety of environments in order to grow and escape captivity. Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack is a charming and addictive game that showcases the unique capabilities of the PS Vita.
As you progress through the levels, your blob will gain new abilities, allowing you to interact with the environment in different ways. Whether you’re rolling, jumping, or even flinging objects around with telekinesis, the game constantly introduces fresh and engaging gameplay elements that keep you on your toes.
Rogue Legacy
Rogue Legacy combines the addictive gameplay of a roguelike with RPG elements, creating a unique and challenging experience. In this game, you’ll explore a procedurally generated castle, battling enemies and uncovering secrets as you attempt to claim your family’s legacy.
However, death is not the end – each time your character falls in battle, you take control of their descendant, inheriting their skills and flaws.
With its engaging combat, deep character progression system, and a variety of different classes to choose from, Rogue Legacy offers a never-ending adventure that will keep you coming back for more. The game’s addictive loop of exploration, combat, and character progression makes it a standout title on the PS Vita.
The Sly Collection
For fans of stealth and platforming, The Sly Collection is a must-play on the PS Vita. This collection includes three beloved titles from the Sly Cooper series, featuring the witty raccoon thief and his gang as they embark on daring heists and outsmart their adversaries.
With their engaging storylines, charming characters, and stealth-oriented gameplay, the Sly Cooper games provide a refreshing break from the usual platformer formula. Sneak through beautifully designed levels, collect valuable loot, and use your cunning to outwit your enemies. The Sly Collection brings together three classic titles that showcase the best the PS Vita has to offer.
Guacamelee!
If you’re looking for a game that seamlessly blends action, platforming, and a vibrant Mexican-inspired world, look no further than Guacamelee! This metroidvania-style game is filled with humor, challenging combat, and a captivating story.
As the luchador Juan Aguacate, you’ll journey through the land of the dead and the living, battling hordes of enemies and solving puzzles along the way. With its colorful art style, catchy music, and a unique combat system that incorporates Mexican wrestling moves, Guacamelee! stands out as one of the most memorable titles on the PS Vita.
Limbo
Lastly, we have Limbo, a game that perfectly captures a haunting and atmospheric experience. In this black and white puzzle-platformer, you’ll guide a young boy through a mysterious and dangerous world as he searches for his sister.
With its minimalist visuals, eerie ambiance, and clever puzzles, Limbo creates a sense of unease that will stay with you long after you’ve completed the game. It’s a title that showcases the artistic potential of video games and demonstrates that storytelling doesn’t always rely on words.
Conclusion
The PS Vita may no longer be in production, but the console’s legacy lives on, especially within its platformer games. These timeless gems showcase an array of inventive gameplay mechanics, captivating storylines, and immersive graphics that remain as engaging today as they were at launch.
