Want me to let you in on a little secret? Here it goes… the PS Vita is not dead. Okay, now repeat that again, but this time with feeling. I know that the Debbie Downers out there will be shaking their collective heads right now, but they’re mistaken — Sony’s plucky handheld console is still valiantly trucking along against all odds, especially in regards to software releases. Sure, it’s nearing the end of the console’s life-cycle, having launched in the West way back in 2012, but it still hasn’t gone the way of the dodo… not just yet anyway.
I’m a staunch defender of the PS Vita and have worn my unhealthy obsession for the device with heart-on-sleeve candour. I have also always taken great pleasure in being a bit of a soothsayer for intriguing, upcoming games on the platforms I’m really passionate about and Sony’s miniature console is one such platform. It may come as a surprise to many gamers out there to hear that there are still a ton of titles on the PS Vita’s release docket that are penciled in for this coming year — there’s plenty of life in the old dog yet!
Before we get into the list though, I want to outline a few ground rules; these are all games that are locked in for a likely western 2017 release (sorry Demon Gaze 2 and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night). Additionally, I’ve made the decision to include ports of games that may’ve released on other platforms first; at the end of the day, if it’s releasing in 2017 on the PS Vita, it’s fair game for this list.
So, let’s get straight to it then, shall we?