Summary
- PS Vita offered impressive open-world experiences despite limitations, showcasing freedom and scale beyond expectations.
- Games like The Amazing Spider-Man and Borderlands 2 proved that Vita could offer core console experiences on-the-go.
- Titles like Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition and Terraria perfectly suited the handheld, providing seamless open-world experiences with cross-save support.
The PS Vita may not have had the longest lifespan, but it still managed to house some fantastic open-world experiences. While it wasn’t powerful enough to run sprawling AAA sandboxes like Grand Theft Auto 5, the handheld still delivered impressive open-world titles that let players explore, experiment, and carve their own paths.
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From superhero web-swinging to high-speed police chases, these games proved that the Vita could punch above its weight when it came to freedom and scale.
7 The Amazing Spider-Man
Spidey’s Web Reaches The PS Vita, But It Wasn’t Very Strong
The Amazing Spider-Man
- Released
- June 26, 2012
- ESRB
- T // Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Beenox
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Platform(s)
- PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo Wii U, PC, Vita, Nintendo DS, 3DS, Mobile
A fully explorable Manhattan with Spider-Man’s signature web-swinging? On a handheld? It almost sounds too ambitious, but The Amazing Spider-Man managed to make it work — well, mostly. Based on the 2012 movie, this open-world superhero adventure lets players swing through a decently sized version of New York City, fighting crime and uncovering a conspiracy involving Oscorp.
The web-swinging isn’t as fluid as in Insomniac’s Spider-Man, but for a handheld title, it’s impressive. There’s a sense of momentum as Spidey swings between buildings, although it’s more automated compared to console versions. The city isn’t the most detailed, and the frame rate takes a hit, but the ability to freely roam New York City as Spider-Man on a portable device was a dream come true for fans.
The game’s story takes place after the events of the film, with Peter Parker facing off against a mix of classic villains and mutated cross-species creatures. Combat borrows from the Batman: Arkham series, featuring counter-based brawling, though it’s not as polished. While the Vita version made some visual compromises, the open-world freedom still made it one of the most ambitious superhero games on a handheld.
6 Borderlands 2
All The Loot, None Of The Comfort
Borderlands 2
- Released
- September 18, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
Bringing Borderlands 2 to the Vita was an ambitious move — after all, this was a massive semi-open-world looter shooter known for its chaotic co-op action. While the handheld version didn’t quite nail the execution, it still delivered the core Borderlands experience: tons of guns, ridiculous humor, and a semi-open world packed with bandits and bizarre creatures.
Players take on the role of a Vault Hunter in the wasteland of Pandora, a lawless planet filled with loot, dangerous enemies, and over-the-top characters like Handsome Jack. The game’s cel-shaded art style helped it retain much of its visual charm on the Vita, but performance issues held it back. Frame rate drops and clunky controls made combat feel less responsive, which was a big deal in a game that thrives on fast-paced gunplay.
Still, the fact that the entire Borderlands 2 experience was playable on a handheld — even with its flaws — was a testament to how far portable gaming had come. It wasn’t perfect, but for players who wanted to take their looting and shooting on the go, it got the job done.
5 Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition
Infinite Worlds, But In Your Pocket
Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition
- Released
- October 14, 2014
WHERE TO PLAY
Few games fit the PS Vita better than Minecraft. The ability to build, explore, and survive in a procedurally generated world, all while on the go, was a perfect match for the handheld. This version of Minecraft was essentially the console edition, meaning it had most of the features players loved, from Creative Mode to Survival Mode.
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The Vita’s hardware handled Minecraft well, keeping the blocky charm intact while allowing for smooth gameplay. Unlike some other Vita ports, performance wasn’t a major issue here. Multiplayer was supported, letting players team up with friends via ad-hoc or online play.
One of the best things about Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition was its cross-save support with the PS3 version. Players could start a world on their console and then continue their adventure on the go, making it one of the most seamless open-world experiences on the system.
4 Terraria
A Whole World In The Palm Of Your Hands
Terraria
- Released
- May 16, 2011
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Re-Logic
- Publisher(s)
- 505 Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Vita, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, 3DS, Stadia, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
At first glance, Terraria might look like Minecraft’s 2D cousin, but it’s an entirely different beast. This open-ended sandbox adventure mixes crafting, exploration, and intense combat with deep RPG mechanics. The Vita version retained everything that made Terraria great, including its massive worlds filled with dungeons, underground biomes, and boss fights.
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Players could dig deep into the earth, uncovering treasure and battling monsters in randomly generated caves, or build sprawling structures on the surface. Unlike Minecraft, Terraria features a stronger emphasis on combat, with an arsenal of weapons ranging from swords and bows to magic spells and laser guns. Boss fights like the Eye of Cthulhu and the Wall of Flesh added an extra layer of challenge, keeping players on their toes.
Despite its pixel-art style, Terraria feels like a game that never runs out of things to do. The Vita version handled the gameplay well, making it a fantastic way to experience this endlessly replayable adventure on the go.
3 Need For Speed: Most Wanted (2012)
Open-World Racing Without The Pit Stops
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
- Released
- October 30, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Criterion Games
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
- Genre(s)
- Racing
An open-world racing game that actually worked on the PS Vita? Need for Speed: Most Wanted was a rare gem. Developed by Criterion, this high-speed thrill ride brought the full console experience to Sony’s handheld with impressive results. Players could freely explore Fairhaven City, competing in races, evading cops, and hunting down the titular “Most Wanted” racers.
What made this version special was that it didn’t feel like a watered-down port. The entire city was available to explore, with shortcuts, jumps, and destructible billboards scattered throughout. The game’s sense of speed was exhilarating, and the police chases were just as intense as in the console versions.
Visually, the Vita version took some hits, with lower-resolution textures and fewer environmental details, but the core gameplay remained intact. The fact that Criterion managed to squeeze such a large, seamless open-world racing experience onto a handheld was nothing short of impressive.
2 Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation
A New Assassin, A New Playground
Assassin's Creed III: Liberation
- Released
- October 30, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ubisoft Sofia
- Publisher(s)
- Ubisoft
- Genre(s)
- Stealth, Action-Adventure, Open-World
Ubisoft gave the Vita its own exclusive Assassin’s Creed adventure with Liberation, and it delivered one of the most ambitious open-world games on the system. Set in 18th-century New Orleans, the game introduced Aveline de Grandpre, the first female protagonist in the series, as she fought against the Templars in a beautifully recreated colonial-era city.
New Orleans was dense with detail, from bustling streets to swamps filled with dangers. Aveline’s unique Persona System let her blend in differently depending on whether she was dressed as a lady, a slave, or an Assassin, adding a new layer of strategy to stealth.
While the game had some technical hiccups, its open-world freedom, parkour mechanics, and gripping story made it a must-play for Assassin’s Creed fans looking for a portable experience.
1 Gravity Rush
Gravity? Never Heard Of It
Gravity Rush
- Released
- June 12, 2012
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- JapanStudio
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Computer Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Action-Adventure
Few games on the Vita felt as unique as Gravity Rush. This open-world action-adventure gave players control over Kat, a girl with the power to manipulate gravity, letting her fly (well, fall) through the air in any direction and walk on walls. The floating city of Hekseville was her playground, and players could explore it in ways no other open-world game had allowed before.
Combat revolved around using gravity-based attacks to take down enemies, while the story unfolded in a stylish, comic book-inspired presentation. The game’s world felt alive, with a distinct European-inspired art style and a sense of verticality that made it stand out.
Gravity Rush wasn’t just the best open-world game on the Vita — it was one of the best games on the system, period. Its innovative gameplay, charming protagonist, and stunning world made it an unforgettable experience that truly showcased what the PS Vita was capable of.
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