10 Best PlayStation Vita Simulation Games, Ranked

Highlights

• PlayStation Vita had a selection of great simulation games, including the pet simulator PlayStation Vita Pets and the realistic farming game Farming Simulator 18.
• Sports simulation games like F1 2011 and Football Manager Classic 2014 were well-received on the handheld console, despite slightly lower graphics.
• Other notable simulation titles for PlayStation Vita include New Little King’s Story, Minecraft, and more.

The new PlayStation Portal is a handheld device that plays PS5 titles, but before this device, Sony had created an actual handheld console known as the PlayStation Vita. This console was capable of playing some PS4 titles as well as having its own games that had been created exclusively for the handheld.

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While the PlayStation Store is no longer available on the device, some players still enjoy looking back on some of the greatest simulation titles that were available on the PS Vita. Simulation games can be enjoyed on any platform, but being able to relax on a handheld and experience another life is one of the greatest experiences available. These titles were by far the best on the PS Vita.

10 PlayStation Vita Pets

Metascore: 63

Simulating what it’s like to look after an animal, PlayStation Vita Pets allows players to have their own dog without the stresses of actually having to look after an animal 24/7. The pet simulator worked similarly to the likes of Nintendogs on the DS, where players would use the touchscreen to pet their dog and the microphone to talk to them and teach them new tricks.

The game did receive mixed reviews, with some feeling that certain parts of the content took too much grinding to obtain. Others felt that, because a deeper connection could be formed with the player’s virtual dog, this made PlayStation Vita Pets greater than other pet simulators that were released at the time.

9 Farming Simulator 18

Metascore: 64

Unsurprisingly, a discussion of the best farming simulation games should include at least one Farming Simulator title. This continues to be the case even for the PlayStation Vita. Those who were looking for a near-realistic simulation of farming that could be enjoyed on a handheld console found enjoyment in Farming Simulator 18.

While the graphics may not be the greatest, it was mainly created for handheld consoles, as this title could even be enjoyed on the 3DS or even a player’s mobile phone. It might not be as cozy as some farming games, but the realism of Farming Simulator 18 interested some owners of the PlayStation handheld.

8 F1 2011

Metascore: 66

Games that simulate sports are another big success of the simulator genre and F1 2011 was no different. Driving games have always been great on handheld devices, and this title, which saw players race around in Formula 1 cars, was sure to entertain for hours on end.

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Arguably, the game received better reviews than its PlayStation 3 version, but even with average reviews on the PS Vita that were caused by its lesser graphics, many racers were still able to find enjoyment in this simulation.

Metascore: 67

Continuing on the theme of sports, Football Manager is a classic sports title that any fan of soccer is sure to enjoy. The game has seen itself spread across various platforms with Football Manager Classic 2014 even finding itself a place on the PS Vita.

When compared to the PC version of the title, many players did say they enjoyed it more on PC. However, if a player is able to look past the difficult controls of the handheld console version of the sports simulator, then Football Manager Classic 2014 can be a worthwhile experience for anyone who wishes to manage their own soccer team.

6 New Little King’s Story

Metascore: 70

Little King’s Story is a simulation title that many may remember from the Nintendo Wii. Since its original release, a second title was published on the PlayStation Vita that saw some players fall in love with the game once again thanks to a re-imagined story.

Like the original title, it is up to the player as the king to rebuild their providence from scratch with the help of their townsfolk. Being on the PlayStation Vita meant the game could be played using the touchscreen instead of the analog sticks, and the power of the console also meant the game could show shifts in both time and weather almost flawlessly.

5 Dragon Quest Builders

Metascore: 84 (On PS4)

Dragon Quest Builders creates a game of nostalgia and fuzes it with Minecraft-like mechanics. Players control a builder who is tasked with rebuilding the world after it was destroyed during the parallel ending of Dragon Quest with the hero accepting the Evil Dragonlord’s bargain of each owning half the world.

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Through gathering resources and basic combat, the player takes on the infamous slimes and other monsters, and it is up to the player to rebuild the world of Alefgard to its former glory.

4 Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition

Metascore: 84

The sandbox survival simulation of Minecraft may only be made up of cubes, but it has continued to be a phenomenal title that has been successful since its original release in 2011. The game even had its own PS Vita version for PlayStation’s handheld console, which saw it play flawlessly on the small device.

While the game no longer receives updates, during its initial release, players naturally fell in love with the familiarity of Minecraft which had already been mastered for a console release. This meant players could enjoy surviving or creating from the comfort of their beds.

3 Papers, Please

Metascore: 85 (On PC)

Some of the best simulation titles are those that simulate a job. Papers, Please is an intense experience that saw players question their morals and keep their eyes peeled to see which individuals would be allowed into the country of Arstotzka.

This game was first published on PC, but through the power of the PS Vita’s touchscreen, Papers, Please could also be enjoyed on the handheld console. The smaller screen may make the player’s workspace feel quite crowded, but this is part of the charm in Papers’ Please, as the player attempts to check everyone as thoroughly as possible, despite having minimal resources to do so.

2 Stardew Valley

Metascore: 89 (On PC)

Stardew Valley is one of the greatest simulation games of all time as it simulates being a farmer in a small town while also having the RPG elements of bonding with the townsfolk as the player creates a life for themselves.

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The success of Stardew Valley on PC saw it expand to various other platforms. This included the PS Vita, as players could easily play the simulation title on a smaller screen. While many may no longer use their PS Vita, a similar experience can be had using the Nintendo Switch.

1 Persona 4 Golden

Metascore: 93

While Persona 4 Golden may not be considered entirely a simulation title, the way bonds are formed with the other characters continues to use this social simulator structure that has been seen in both past and future Persona titles. Part of the JRPG’s progression is players gaining deeper relationships with these characters, as it gives them buffs to their combat abilities.

Besides these character moments, players are left to explore the world as they see fit. In many ways, this means that Persona 4 Golden can be considered a life simulator, as players are expected to still go to school and complete lessons when they aren’t dealing with the various dangers of the game.

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