The Vita games to watch

You might also like to read our in-depth examination of the preparations being made for Vita's European launch next month.

--

Touch My Katamari

Publisher Namco Bandai Developer In-house

The name might encourage use of the touchscreen, but Namco Bandai’s game is more intuitive with Vita’s analogue sticks. The visual and audio design do service to the PS2 originals, and while creator Keita Takahashi left Namco long ago, his legacy is honoured in this new entry that introduces rear touch Katamari stretching. It’s encouraging to see a cult series make an appearance this early on in Vita’s life.

Uncharted: Golden Abyss

Publisher SCE Developer Bend Studio

The latest level to be shown off by Sony’s Bend Studio is the polar opposite of the airy platforming sections that unveiled Drake’s portable debut. Set in a burning jungle warehouse, the lighting effects are a sight to behold. Drake’s animations as he leaps, swings and clings to pipes and ledges perfectly capture the character’s signature moves. It’s a shame the intimate, gripping scene is followed up by some rote sniping.

Virtua Tennis 4: World Tour Edition

Publisher Sega Developer In-house

Up there with Golden Abyss for graphical fidelity to its console namesake, Virtua Tennis 4 is crisp, colourful and creative with the touchscreen. Tapping to launch a ball skywards, tapping again to choose your mark on the court, and swiping to move your player makes Virtua Tennis the most inviting and user-friendly it has ever been. It serves the series into a sweet spot between console looks and app-like simplicity.

Sound Shapes

Publisher SCE Developer Queasy Games

Jonathan Everyday Shooter Mak’s audio-based platformer is the indie star in Vita’s first wave of titles. Recent previews have shied away from showing off the team’s levels, preferring to highlight the intricate level editor. Creating a music sheet by dragging and dropping sounds on to level backgrounds and then adding enemies and platforms with the touchscreen is simple – it’s perfect for amateur game designers.

Gravity Rush

Publisher SCE Developer SCE Japan Studio

The most innovative game on Vita thus far, thirdperson adventure Gravity Rush is a comic book brought to life. Stages are filled with scalable skyscrapers and fetch quest or combat objectives. The twist? Tapping the right shoulder button triggers antigravity mode. Then tilt the console or adjust the right thumbstick and tap again to launch yourself in the direction you’ve aimed. Whatever you land on is your new floor.

Motorstorm RC

Publisher SCE Developer Evolution Studios

Evolution Studios has taken a surprise turn with its mud-and-mayhem racing brand. While it now revolves around RC vehicles, though, all of the series’ classes, from big rigs to buggies, are included. Connectivity between Vita and PS3 – buying the game grants universal access across both – is the most intriguing prospect, and the ‘Pitwall’, Evolution’s version of Need For Speed’s Autolog, aims to establish a community.

LittleBigPlanet

Publisher SCE Developer Tarsier Studios, Double Eleven

The hope, clearly, is that LittleBigPlanet will open Vita’s potential to create and engage a community of fans. User-generated content is spearheading Sony’s agenda and with good reason: the power of Vita allows a breadth and quality that its PSP predecessor can’t match. The chance to create custom minigames employing Vita’s broad suite of features is tantalising.

Super Monkey Ball: Banana Splitz

Publisher Sega Developer In-house

It’s no shock to find that Sega’s monkey-rolling sim is the best early use of Vita’s gyroscopic tech. Tilting the console to roll your primate-in-a-ball around the mazes is nerve-wracking thanks to Vita’s sensitivity and Sega’s cunning, often cruel, level design. The brand has had an uneven journey since its birth in Japanese arcades, but Vita seems like an effective home.

Resistance: Burning Skies

Publisher SCE Developer Nihilistic Software

Perhaps the least inspiring title here, Resistance still ticks the FPS box, showing that Vita’s twin sticks are capable of supporting a portable shooter with ease. Things get tricky in the use of touchscreen commands and swipes (to throw grenades, for example), which combine awkwardly with the traditional controls. It’s a technically accomplished game, nevertheless.