We are less than a week away from the “early-bird” release of the new Sony handheld game system, known as the PS Vita, and ten days away from the wide North American launch.
Both GameStop and Sony itself – through the Sony Entertainment Network (formally PSN) store on the PS3 – have already begun selling digital versions of some of the most anticipated launch games. Many of the physical media games will be available on February 15, so store shelves should be stocked when the wide February 22 release arrives.
For those of us waiting for the PS Vita here in North America, and those still on the fence, is our PS Vita launch games US guide that highlights the biggies and lists the rest.
Uncharted: Golden Abyss (Bend Studios, February 15, 2012)
Nathan Drake is at it again, this time in Spain looking for a treasure bigger than any other ever discovered. But honestly, that’s the plot of every Uncharted game, so that probably isn’t a factor on your purchasing decision. With Golden Abyss, you will still get the cinematic thrill ride, but this time, it’s on the go.
Golden Abyss utilizes both front and back touch screens, the Six Axis controls, and the dual-control sticks to move Nate along in his latest adventure. This is the system-seller in the early days of the Vita, and is as close to must-have as it comes.
Wipeout 2048 (SCEA, February 15, 2012)
This is another installment of the futuristic racing game series that has roots as far back as the original PlayStation. It’s all about speed, so if you have played a previous game in the franchise, you know what to expect.
Wipeout 2048 utilizes touch and voice-activated controls. You can race in eight-player matches, and even race people using crossplay with the PS3. It includes 10 brand new tracks, and has both a campaign and multiplayer race modes.
Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational (SCEA, February 15, 2012)
Hot Shots Golf is synonymous with Playstation systems and the PS Vita is no different. Expect the normal cast of zany characters and new courses, touch controls and online play. My wife and I played Hot Shots Golf on the PS2 when we first started dating, and well, years later, I’m still married and I’m a fan of the series.
ModNation Racers: Road Trip (SCEA, February 15, 2012)
The Kart racing equivalent of LittleBigPlanet that preaches user-created tracks and wacky characters. Road Trip includes over 500,000 online tracks to race on, and has three new weapon classes (fire, earth, and ice). The track editor interface is easy to use in the previous ModNation games, and it’s safe to assume that will be the case here as well.
Little Deviants (SCEA, February 15, 2012)
Little Deviants offers a collection of mini-games that utilize both the front and back touch screens, six axis motions sensors, and built in microphone. Up to eight players can play together, and that is what Sony will be hoping for given the game’s design for players of all ages. It comes packaged in the First Edition Bundle arriving on February 15.
Reality Fighters (SCEA and BigBig Studios, February 15, 2012)
Augmented Reality Technology uses both front and back cameras to put you into the game, fighting in real world environments. There are over 300 different customizable costume pieces, and over 200 weapon types. There are also different fighting styles, such as wrestler, Muay Thai, and modern dancer?!?
Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 (Capcom, February 15, 2012)
This is a port of the 2011 fighting game of the year. Expect new fighters for both sides, and new costumes.
FIFA Soccer (EA Sports, February 15, 2012)
The first major team sport game on the PS Vita. Uses the power of the PS Vita to retain most of the features from the PS3 version, but includes touch shooting, passing and kick control. Has over 500 officially licensed clubs.
Other games available at the February 15 early launch include:
Rayman Origins (Ubisoft, February 15, 2012)
Lumines Electronic Symphony (Ubisoft, February 15, 2012)
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend (Aksys Games, February 15, 2012)
Asphalt Injection (Ubisoft, February 15, 2012)
F1 2011 (THQ and Codemasters, February 15, 2012)
Michael Jackson: The Experience (Ubisoft, February 15, 2012)
Ben 10 Galactic Racing (D3 Publishers of America, February 15, 2012)
And a week after on the official February 22 launch, expect to find these PS Vita games in US stores:
Ninja Gaiden Sigma Plus (Tecmo, February 22, 2012)
Dungeon Hunter Alliance (February 22, 2012)
Touch My Katamari (February 22, 2012)
Dynasty Warriors Next (February 22, 2012)
Ridge Racer (February 22, 2012)
Shinobido 2: Revenge of Zen (February 22, 2012)
And lastly, one of my most anticipated games:
Army Corps of Hell (Square Enix, February 22, 2012)
If there was such a thing as insanity packaged into a handheld gaming device, Army Corps of Hell would be it. You play as a displaced lord of hell fighting to get your realm back. You have, at your disposal, 100 goblins that you can use as weapons against the armies of hell, and incredible bosses. The goblins come in soldier, magic, and spearman varieties.
There are over 100 different weapon and armor pieces to customize your army with. You and up to three other players can play together in ad hoc multiplayer, and you can even steal/scavenge from your opponents/partners to make your army stronger. And they steal/scavenge from you too. It’s fast, gory, and ridiculous. I can’t wait!
There you have it, our PS Vita launch game US guide. There’s a mix of familiar yet new, ports, and some all-new stuff to choose from. This isn’t the Nintendo 3DS debacle when no A-list games were available. Sony has a handful of games here that are capable of selling the system.
