2017 Vita Games Preview – 20 Worth Anticipating

While we recently mentioned that Sony didn’t put out a single PlayStation Vita game in 2016, that doesn’t mean that the future is bleak for the system (although, it’s not exactly shining bright either). In fact, 2017 is looking to be a pretty solid year for Sony’s beloved handheld as there are some great titles that are making their way to North America in the next 12 months (the most exciting of which we recently highlighted in video form). To help Vita owners keep track of the releases (there are more than five worthwhile releases after all), we’ve made a list of 20 2017 Vita games to keep an eye on.

Before we get into the list, just know that only games that are confirmed to be coming to North America were eligible. Many high profile games that are getting a Vita version (such as Dragon Quest Heroes II and Nights of Azure 2: Bride of the New Moon) are getting a portable version in Japan, but that version of the game is not coming stateside. So, if a major title is left off the list that is also coming to PlayStation 4, that lack of confirmation is probably why it didn’t make the cut. Plus, there are a bunch of great Vita-only games that deserve the spotlight.

Check out the list of 20 2017 Vita games to look out for below:

It’s pretty amazing that the PlayStation Vita has such a great line-up planned for 2017 without any first-party titles set to come to the system. The portable may have to rely on third-party support, but companies like NIS America, Atlus and Marvelous are looking to make 2017 a memorable year for the handheld. Throw in some exciting indie titles, and it looks like portable gamers will be able to stay busy this year!

Let us know in the comments what 2017 Vita games you are looking forward to, and if you have any of the titles already pre-ordered!

Essential Reading:

20 2017 Vita Games to Look Forward To

2017 Vita Games to Look Forward To
A Rose in the Twilight

A Rose in the Twilight is a gorgeous puzzle platformer that has players trying to help a girl (named Rose) and a giant escape a mysterious castle. To do so, they'll have to harness Rose's powers to absorb blood and transfer it to various objects. This will bring color and life to objects. It's a pretty inventive, if dark, mechanic, and players will get to see more when it releases in Spring 2017.
Akiba's Beat

The successor to the Akiba's Trip series, Akiba's Beat gets rid of the clothes removing action and instead plays like a role-playing game.It looks interesting for a variety of reasons that include the game's focus on idols and music, and that the characters get into a Groundhog's Day scenario where they have to keep repeating the same day.
Atelier Games

Two games in the Atelier role-playing series are coming to Vita this year: Atelier Shallie Plus: Alchemists of the Dusk Sea and Atelier Firis: The Alchemist and the Mysterious Journey. The latter is an all-new adventure, while the former is an enhanced port of a PlayStation 3 title.
Caligula

Written by Tadashi Satomi, who was the mind behind the first three Persona games, Caligula takes place inside a virtual reality program. Inside it, people can forget about real life and escape pain by attending a virtual high school. The player realizes that they are inside a fake world, and tries to find like-minded others that will help him escape.
Cladun Returns: This is Sengoku!

As the name suggests, Cladun Returns: This is Sengoku! is set in Sengoku-era Japan. The player acts as a guide for souls of the dead, as they have to accomplish various goals before they can be reincarnated. To do this, players will have to travel to locations within feudal Japan and escape dungeons that are filled with traps and enemies. It's set to release in Spring 2017, and will feature a co-op mode.
Danganronpa V3 Killing Harmony

The third major entry in the Danganronpa series, Danganronpa V3 Killing Harmony moves away from Hope's Peak Academy, and takes place in a new prison school. Players once again find themselves trapped there alongside 15 other eccentric students, and they must once again try to outsmart Monokuma and his cubs. New to this version is mass panic debates, where multiple characters will talk at once, making it more difficult to find contradictions.
Fallen Legion

YummyYummyTummy's Fallen Legion looks to be one of the Vita's best role-playing games in a year filled with them. It features an inventive battle system where each face button on the system controls a different character. If you're looking for a fresh spin on a genre that can feel awfully tired, this is the game for you.
Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star

Fate/Extella: The Umbral Star is an action game by Marvelous that takes place after Fate/Extra, which released on the PSP in 2011. The adventure of Nero is far from over, as while they now have a Regalia ring, they encounter a new foe that also holds onto the ring that proves kingship. Gamers won't have to wait long to figure out all of the game's mysteries as it releases January 17, 2017.
Full Throttle Remastered

Double Fine has shown with their remakes of Grim Fandango and Day of the Tentacle that they know how to respect a classic. They'll look to do the same for Full Throttle Remastered, LucasArts' 1995 classic adventure title. It'll feature all new graphics (with the original look being able to be swapped to), developer commentary, and updated controls.
God Wars Future Past

Developed by Kadokawa Games, God Wars Future Past is a strategy RPG with a focus on Japanese folklore. It tells the tale of three nations (Fuji, Izumo, Hyuga) that are thrown into disarray after a series of natural disasters. The game also features a unique art style that is based upon Japanese ink painting.
Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds

Have you ever wanted to date hot samurai that are members of the famed Shinsengumi? Well, boy are you in luck as Hakuoki: Kyoto Winds is coming out in Spring 2017. This remastered version of the 2008 visual novel features 12 different samurai boys to win the hearts of (although, I'm all about Saitou Hajime), and has over 30 different endings.
Mary Skelter: Nightmares

Yet another dungeon crawler, Mary Skelter: Nightmares looks to freshen up the genre by allowing players to set traps that will slow down enemies. Monsters are fought via turn-based battles, but good players will look to be avoiding encounters. Characters also have the ability to transform into "blood skelter" forms, where they become stronger but risk going crazy. It definitely looks to be an interesting twist on a very familiar genre to Vita owners.
Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy

The sequel to Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy, looks to expand upon the dungeon crawler's decent start. Called Operation Babel: New Tokyo Legacy, the game is a direct sequel that continues the story. New systems are added to enhance the gameplay, such as a sub-blood system that will allow players to customize the characters to a new degree. It looks to be a big improvement on the first, and arrives in Spring 2017.
Period: Cube - Shackles of Amadeus

Aksys Games is set to have a busy 2017, and one of their titles is the visual novel Period: Cube - Shackles of Amadeus. Taking place within an online RPG called Arcadia (talk about meta!), the game has the player searching for their lost brother. Players will have to navigate a branching narrative to discover what happened, and this intriguing plot device has us looking forward to its Spring 2017 release.
Plague Road

Crowdfunded turn-based strategy game Plague Road has the interesting story of being set during a plague (which is shocking given the title, I know). Players will play as a doctor who initially left the city, who now returns in search for survivors. It's an interesting premise, and one I can't wait to see play out later this year when the game comes out.
The Longest Five Minutes

NIS America are bringing over Syupro-DX's visual novel RPG hybrid The Longest Five Minutes. Uniquely, the game starts off with the hero losing his memory while battling the final boss of the game. Through a series of conversations and flashbacks, the hero will regain all of his special attacks, and will be able to finish the fight.
Tokyo Xanadu

Developed by Ys developer Nihon Falcom, Tokyo Xanadu is (as the name suggests) a spin-off of the Xanadu series set in modern Japan. It retains the series' signature real-time battle system, but also looks to modernize its systems for a wider audience. It's expected to release in the first half of 2017.
Windjammers

Data East's classic Neo Geo sports game Windjammers is coming back in a big way in 2017. Not only is it getting a PlayStation 4 release, but players will be able to hone their skills on the go with the Vita version. Throw in online play, and there will never be a good reason not to throw down in some flying power disc!
Ys Origin

Originally released in 2006 on PC, Ys Origin is a prequel to Falcom's long-running Japanese role-playing series. Praised for its narrative that focuses on several playable characters, the game takes place 700 years before Ys I: Ancient Ys Vanished and gives some vital backstory to the world. PlayStation gamers will finally be able to experience it February 21, 2017.
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games

Prepare to have your mind blown as Zero Escape: The Nonary Games contains two of the best stories in gaming. The collection features a brand new port of 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors alongside the Vita version of Virtue's Last Reward. Part visual novel and part puzzle game, these tense adventures will keep you on edge until their satisfying endings.