PlayStation Vita: The Games

By: Alan Bell
Published: Wednesday 22 Feb 2012 3:00 PM

Every launch-window game detailed.

The PlayStation Vita launches with a huge number of games, so don't feel too bad if you're not intimately familiar with them all. To help you keep tabs on what's available initially and what's coming out very shortly after the console, we've compiled a list and mini preview of every single title that's releasing within a week of the Vita itself.

There's also information about the size of the game, how you can buy it (either both retail and download, or just download), what it will cost you (both RRP and best known price), and a link through to the game's "hub" here on NZGamer.com.

Check out the other parts to this series:

Note: Games with "estimated" next to their size have not had their download size confirmed on the local store. The size listed is from either the Japanese or American store, and the local size is likely to be a little larger (due to multiple-language support in most cases).

If there's anything else you want to know about these games, let us know! We're working on reviews for them all now, so keep it locked to NZGamer.com to see what we think of each of the titles over the next few weeks.

If you'd rather just jump straight to a game you're interested in, here's a handy set of links to the various pages:

Now, on with the show - the games are listed in alphabetical order:

Army Corps of Hell

Availability: Retail + Download
Size: 598MB (estimated)
RRP: $89.95
Without doubt, Army Corps of Hell is one of the weirdest games in the Vita's launch lineup. The hint that things are going to start getting a bit odd is right there in the title; the words aren't unusual but that's a strange way to arrange them. Anyway, ACoH is some sort of action strategy hybrid, with more than a little in common with Nintendo's legendary Pikmin franchise. The similarity isn't just skin deep, either, as the teams involved in both games have a lot of developers in common. Interested? So are we; look for our review soon!

Read more about Army Corps of Hell on our game hub.

Asphalt: Injection

Availability: Retail + Download
Size: 724MB (estimated)
RRP: $59.95
Injection is the latest iteration of a series that launched alongside the Nintendo DS. It features arcade racing action with some 52 licensed cars (that's one a week, should you choose to make it last a year), 20 tracks (each of which are modeled on real-world locations), and ten different event types. Reviews for the franchise have jumped around between high and low, seemingly at random, as each new version is released; until we get our hands on a review copy, the jury is out on this iteration. It certainly sounds good on paper, though...

Read more about Asphalt: Injection on our game hub.

BlazBlue: Continuum Shift EXTEND

Availability: Retail + Download
Size: 3.2GB (estimated)
RRP: $79.95
Made by the people behind the Guilty Gear series, BlazBlue is similarly a 2D animated fighting game franchise with a focus on the slightly weird. If that leaves you thinking it might play something like Marvel vs. Capcom, you've got the wrong end of the stick. Not only is BlazBlue heavy on the narrative, it's also an extremely complex game to play effectively. The Vita edition of Continuum Shift EXTEND is packed full of content, complete with additional story, new modes, cross-compatibility with the PS3 version, and optional touch controls.

Read more about BlazBlue: Continuum Shift EXTEND on our game hub.

Dungeon Hunter: Alliance

Availability: Retail + Download
Size: 1.03GB (estimated)
RRP: $79.95
Sequel to a game that first appeared on the iPhone back in 2009, Dungeon Hunter: Alliance is a multiplayer hack'n'slash action RPG by prolific publishers Gameloft and Ubisoft. It was also released on the PlayStation 3 last year, where gamers could take on the role of a Mage, Warior, or Rogue and attempt to defeat the title's 30+ levels of content. Interestingly, the game is only $20 on PS3 - while it attracts full retail price for what we believe is the same game on Vita. Still, if you like the idea of a Diablo-like ARPG on the Vita, this is your only option. We're keen to see if it's worth your dollar, so watch out for our full review, as soon as we can get our hands on it.

Read more about Dungeon Hunter: Alliance on our game hub.

Escape Plan

Availability: Download only
Size: 843MB (estimated)
RRP: $24.90
A concept that's been kicking around for years, Escape Plan finally came into being with the unveiling of the Vita. An interactive puzzle game, where players must manipulate the world to keep the hapless heroes alive, it's hard to imagine how it could have worked on any other platform. Whether you're swiping your finger to nudge Lil or Laarg along, or tapping the back touch to move an object out of the way, this game seems custom-made for the Vita's multitude of input options. Add in a strong, black & white aesthetic, comedic presentation (including an audience that laughs when you die and a death count that's permanently emblazoned on your characters) and you have one seriously striking downloadable game.

Read more about Escape Plan on our game hub.

Everybody's Golf

Availability: Retail + Download
Size: 1.3GB (estimated)
RRP: $69.95
The eleventh iteration in the fiteen year old series, Everybody's Golf on the Vita (known as Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational in the US) leverages a number of the Vita's features to create an experience quite unlike any of the previous entries in the franchise. For a start, there's an augmented reality-like ability to look around the courses by moving the Vita. Then there's the controls, which are described by the publishers as innovative thanks to the way they leverage the touch screen. We've got a copy to review, so expect to see our verdict on those claims soon. Given the history of the franchise, though, there's a better than average chance that this will be an above-par experience.

Read more about Everybody's Golf on our game hub.

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