The PS Vita is a console that many people are fond of despite its catastrophic failure compared to the 3DS. Not many people bought the console, but the ones who did were treated to some really great games that felt perfect on the handheld, even if they'd been released for other platforms too.

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Ultimately, a lack of exclusives and poor post-launch support from Sony is what led to this console heading to an early grave. Still, players could enjoy a wealth of games from numerous genres on this console. People who preferred strategic gameplay would be more than pleased with the PS Vita's impressive library.

5 Plants vs. Zombies

Metascore: 77

Zombies in both the water and on land attacking plants in Plants Vs. Zombies
Plants vs. Zombies

Platform(s)
iOS , PC , PS Vita , Android , PS3 , Xbox 360 , Nintendo DS
Released
May 5, 2009
Developer(s)
PopCap
How Long To Beat
8 Hours

The legendary Plants vs. Zombies series started from one game that ended up being way more successful than anyone could've expected. Released around a time when people were graced by innovative mobile games, Plants vs. Zombies took the gameplay of a tower defense game and turned it into something special.

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The art style was humorous, and the idea of using plants as one's defenses to destroy zombies was a simple and engaging gameplay loop that resonated with kids and adults alike. It's no wonder why this franchise is still going strong to this day, even if it may not be just a simple tower defense game anymore.

4 Disgaea 3: Absence Of Justice

Metascore: 78

Disgaea 3 Absence Of Justice gameplay
Disgaea 3: Absence of Detention

Platform(s)
PS3 , PS Vita
Released
December 17, 2011
Developer(s)
Nippon Ichi Software
How Long To Beat
34 Hours

The Disgaea series is one of the most underrated strategy RPG franchises that more people need to check out. The grind in these games can be slightly unbearable at times, but players who can whip out some impressive tactics and are well-versed in this genre will love each title for their gameplay, story, and characters.

It may have its missteps, but Disgaea 3 is still a worthy entry in the series that fans appreciate, even if they may not love its nuances. The PS Vita was stacked with many great JRPGs, and Disgaea 3 is no exception.

3 XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Metascore: 82

XCOM Enemy Unknown
XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Released
October 9, 2012
How Long To Beat
27 hours

The XCOM reboot is a game that came out of nowhere and wowed players with its incredible tactical gameplay and a permadeath system that helped players feel more attached to their soldiers than ever before. Some people found the game to be unfairly hard, but players who managed to look past these issues would be more than happy with how this game forced players to strategize efficiently and not put too many of their eggs in one basket.

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Having a squad that could tackle numerous objectives without facing too many issues was crucial since a single death could spell doom for players who have made a ton of progress in the campaign. Only a miracle (or a change in difficulty level) can save players if they lose too many good squad members in the later missions.

2 Darkest Dungeon

Metascore: 84

Darkest Dungeon
Darkest Dungeon

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS Vita , Xbox One , Switch , PC , iOS
Released
January 19, 2016
Developer(s)
Red Hook Studios
How Long To Beat
58 Hours

Darkest Dungeon is one of the greatest Lovecraftian games that fans can get their hands on. The fact that players consider the sequel to be inferior to its predecessor is a testament to what this title achieved, letting players bond with their party of heroes as they ventured deeper into threatening dungeons and helped their party grow strong enough to not succumb to the horrors that lay within.

Preparation is key in Darkest Dungeon, with players having to manage a decent party and equip each member with useful equipment to help them be as effective as possible in the game's many harrowing dungeons. It can be pretty tough early on, but making short trips and slowly enhancing the party's overall strength is key for players who want to explore everything this game has to offer.

1 SteamWorld Heist

Metascore: 90

SteamWorld Heist gameplay
SteamWorld Heist

Platform(s)
3DS , iOS , PC , PS4 , PS Vita , Switch , Nintendo Wii U
Released
December 10, 2015
Developer(s)
Image & Form
How Long To Beat
13 Hours

It's a crime that one of the PS Vita's best games is barely talked about nowadays. SteamWorld Heist is a unique tactics game that is oozing with style and lets players flex their skills as they aim impossible shots to take down their enemies across a myriad of levels. It sounds like a simple design choice, but combining turn-based tactics with free aim lets players enjoy the best of both worlds.

People who hate the element of chance in most strategy games will love how skill-based the gameplay is in SteamWorld Heist. It's a simple enough game to get into, but players will lose track of time as they attempt multiple stages in one go and try to get the best score possible in each level.

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