PS Vita finally explodes into UK and US retail tomorrow along 30-odd, rather impressive launch titles.
We've already published an updated PS Vita review for the Western launch, along with our choice of best Vita launch games. But in order to make an educated software buying decision, you're going to need some kind of list - one like this...
As you can see from our numbers then, WipEout 2048, Uncharted: Golden Abyss, Rayman Origins, Lumines: Electronic Symphony and FIFA Vita are our picks of the launch line-up. Let us know which ones you'll be picking up in the comments below...
ModNation Racers: Roadtrip review: 7.5 - Touch controls give ModNation newfound oomph and there's a compelling content system in place - but a lack of identity tempers things.
Reality Fighters review: 6.5 - A mediocre fighter bolted to exceptional customisation. If nothing else, it shows what the PS Vita could be capable of in the hands of a frontline developer.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss review: 8.7 - Not quite up the standard of the PS3 games in either narrative or visual stakes - but then what it is? A triumphant outing for Drake, and Vita's best launch title.
Little Deviants review: 6.3 - Well-meaning and well-executed to a point, but it swims at the shallow end of the pool. Little Deviants is a game to play with rose-tinted launch goggles firmly on your face
WipEout 2048 review: 8.6 - Wipeout leads the pack of PS Vita racers. New modes lack imagination, but visuals are killer and the campaign always offers new events and objectives to fulfill. A Vita must-buy.
F1 2011 review: 8.0 - Proves that the PS Vita can do racing sims, as well as arcade-racers. Once you set it up to your liking, it's uncannily authentic for a game you can carry around with you.
Rayman Origins review: 8.9 - Nothing less than a truly classic slab of platform action: Michel Ancel's neglected opus fits perfectly on the PS Vita.
Asphalt Injection review: 2.9 - It's racing for boys, incompetents or owners of 2004-era Nokias. Everyone else should ignore it.
Dungeon Hunter Alliance : 6.9 - Dungeon Hunter is solid, playable and enjoyable - but its world feels too hackneyed to endure.
Michael Jackson: The Experience review: 4.2 - You could get the original console version for the same price - and you can dance to it.
FIFA Football review: 8.5 - Not perfect, but the best handheld game of football ever made. Plays like the PS3, includes career mode. You want it.
Motorstorm RC review: 6.1 - Lots of tracks and motors, but fails the brand spectacularly. Like Motorstorm after everyone's gone home.
Super Stardust Delta review: 7.5 - Asteroid meets Geometry Wars on the Vita. Simple, limited, but executed well. A bright spark.
Escape Plan review: 8.1 - Sometimes ponderous, Escape Plan redeems its 'tap everything' trial and error through gorgeous visuals and clever puzzles.
Everybody's Golf: 6.5 - A far-from-terrible sports game that's accessible and fun for brief periods, but lacks the creative punch to warrant its place in Vita's launch line-up.
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 review: 7.5 - An impressive port that will satisfy seasoned fighters, though it concedes to newbies in the worst way possible.
BlazBlue Continumm Shift review: 8.1 - A complex-yet-accessible 2D fighter which will satisfy hardcore SF fans much more than Marvel vs Capcom 3.
Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen review: 4.0 - Feels like it's been hiding in the bushes for years, growing old as it waits to spring out on stealth fans.
Virtua Tennis 4 review: 7.6 - Dip in and out, go deep and follow a career, knock about with friends online or in the same room - the Vita version has its sense of fun back. And that's just 'ace'.
Touch My Katamari review: 8.1 - Far better than the recent PSP and iOS versions, this is Katamari's most fun portable outing to date. More new stuff would have been nice, though.
Ridge Racer review: 3.0 - A shallow demo with minimal functionality outside Wi-Fi access, this just isn't an appealing offer. If the core game was a free download, things could be different.
Army Corps of Hell review: 4.0 - Hellacious. It's as if the developers thought their concept was so brilliant they didn't actually need to design levels.
Lumines: Electronic Symphony review: 8.5 - A judicious update of Mizuguchi's Tetris-with-knobs-on game, which makes sensible use of the Vita's diverse input mechanisms and introduces even greater strategic depth.
Top Darts: 5.2 - It's darts but, quite simply, darts doesn't work with a touchscreen.
Ninja Gaiden: Sigma: 6.0 - (Games Radar) Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus feels like a game from a different era, and despite half-steps to make it more approachable, is painfully frustrating in ways that probably can't be changed without altering the core of the game. If you can get past that, NGSP is a deep, lengthy adventure, with combat that's still one of the best in 3D action gaming history.
Dynasty Warriors Next: TBA -
Comments
15 comments so far...
liveswired on 21 Feb '12 said:
wipeout 2048? all style no substance - meh.
Run F-Zero GX in HD and you've already got a far, far better future racer. Much better gameplay, unbelievable track design, insane challenge, speed and graphics at 60fps with 30 racers on screen - It's amazing that a Gamecube game still competes in graphics - a true testament to Amusement Vision at Sega.
slick loose on 21 Feb '12 said:
Wtf Ridge Racer...you used to be one of the good guys
porkchopz on 21 Feb '12 said:
Where did they say it had no substance?
I'll be the first to admit I absolutely loved F-Zero GX but if you really think its graphics can compete with Wipeout on the Vita then you need to go to specsavers mate.
Plenty of games rely on established formulas without huge amounts of innovation - Halo, Gears, Killzone, etc. 8.6 is a pretty good review even if it's not truly epic.
KK-Headcharge78 on 21 Feb '12 said:
I played Ridge Racer and is was crap, felt like going back 10 years (aside from some nice graphics) Not really wowed by most of them scores particularly as the ones you'd expect to be ace (FIFA, Unchartered, Wipeout) appear to fall short of their PS3 counterparts (haven't played Unchartered though meself)
Oh and F-Zero is deadly
porkchopz on 21 Feb '12 said:
Unchartered?
allygray69 on 21 Feb '12 said:
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/unchart ... 842?page=1 just downloaded the full version of vita uncharted for 79p, they uploaded the wrong file onto the PSN store, was meant to be the map pack but it was the full game instead, haha total steal. They have have now just sorted it in the last 20mins.
porkchopz on 21 Feb '12 said:
Haha, someone got a disciplinary for that!
toaplan on 21 Feb '12 said:
Without a doubt a fine, wide selection of games on offer at launch, but there seems to be a lack of a true "killer app", a real system-seller. (For me, MGS HD collection would have been it, but that's largely because I've never played Peace Walker). An original CoD could be the killer-app, but less likely so, if it's just going to be a port of Black Ops 2.
I'm surprised that CVG has given the highest score to Rayman, as Rayman has always been the poor cousin of Mario and Sonic. Is Rayman Origins really that good?
sonic_uk on 21 Feb '12 said:
What is the problem with Ninja Gaiden Sigma? Its an epic game, and one that doesn't feel the need to conform to every modern theme/idea. I for one and glad the gameplay is old fashioned, thats what makes it so refreshing compared to more modern games of its type. Also, Ridge Racer? 3/10? Are you f***ing kidding me? So glad I don't trust reviews.
porkchopz on 21 Feb '12 said:
Yeah, I loved Sigma too. Although I was pretty miffed at reaching a brick wall of difficulty less than an hour in. A game that truly needs to be mastered.
Barca Azul on 22 Feb '12 said:
ooh controversial, rayman more than Uncharted?
Dewin on 22 Feb '12 said:
Everybody's golf a 6.5?? WTF??
i have so much of a problem with this review its not even funny. This reviewer clearly brought an agenda to this review. If you can't see why this game is good on a handheld you are clearly one of biggest idiot reviewers out there.
humanhand on 22 Feb '12 said:
Wow, I actually thought Shinobido 2 looked good. Studied it a lot online, and bought it. I have a feeling your wrong about that game. Never let anyone else decide what you'll like is the lesson. Um, of course I haven't ACTUALLY played it yet. But we'll see. Still seems kinda harsh.
laughing-gravy on 22 Feb '12 said:
If they put a few of Caves' bullet hell shooters on Vita then I'd consider buying. Why aren't Caves games on Sony formats? Puzzling....
lwill on 22 Feb '12 said:
The typical issue of a mediocre launch line up.
I'm sure Sony intended to bring out a couple of games that would get 90's, specifically, Uncharted. But the fact that the highest scoring game is Rayman must be a real kick in the balls. Their target market at this stage is going to be the more 'hardcore' gamer or, at least someone who wasn't intending of getting f**king Rayman as their first game on the Vita. I suppose it's no bad thing that it's (supposedly) a good game, it's just bad that it's the best game for the system at the moment.
It's a shame too, because it does look like a proper quality piece of kit. The current line up of games tempts me, but that's all it does, it doesn't push me over the edge.