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Launched back in 2012, the PS Vita was Sony’s much-anticipated follow-up to one of the best-selling handhelds in history, the PSP. While it had plenty of cool features going for it — like a snazzy OLED screen, seamless online functionality, a robust PS1 classic library, ahead-of-its-time remote play, and impressive specs — the Japanese mega-publisher fumbled the ball with a lack of triple-A support and expensive proprietary memory cards.
Despite these hiccups and in spite of low sales (data is conflicting, though it’s largely believed that the console flatlined at around the 17 million mark), the pint-sized handheld still went on to become a fan favorite amongst the Sony hardcore. Still, regardless of its rollercoaster-like trajectory, the PS Vita remains home to an incredibly diverse array of video games, making it an ideal candidate for physical collectors.
So, with that in mind, we’ve done the legwork and whipped up a list of the rarest PS Vita games you’ll want to keep your eye out for while perusing your local brick and mortar video game store. We’ve opted against including lavish collector’s editions, and instead focused on standard releases of games. In addition, we’ve utilised PriceCharting‘s Complete In Box prices and New prices to help make this list as accurate as possible. Now, with our methodology out of the way, let’s get started, shall we?
Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana
Used $64 | New $72
In many ways, Ys VIII: Lacrimosa of Dana on PS Vita is an impressive port. Not only does it feature all of the game’s DLC outside of Laxia’s Eternian Scholar costume — which was initially a piece of exclusive content for the PS4 iteration — but it also boasts the full-fat version of the Japanese action-RPG, as opposed to its abridged mobile port. Thing is, most of the PS Vita’s additional content could be farmed in-game, rendering much of the DLC as a bit of a moot point. Plus, its performance on Sony’s diminutive hardware is middling, with pretty low framerates when the action gets busy.
Still, while it’s safe to say that its newer Nintendo Switch port managed to nab the most fully-featured version of the title, the PS Vita variant is no slouch at all, making it a desirable piece for avid collectors due to the series’ favorable reputation. Add in the fact that it’s hard to find in stores by virtue of its limited run, and you have the recipe for a sought-after and genuinely top-notch fantasy RPG with solid combat and an intriguing narrative centered around a cursed island dubbed Seiren.
Mary Skelter: Nightmares
Used $92 | New $98
Dungeon crawlers quickly became the PS Vita’s bread and butter, and Mary Skelter: Nightmares is undoubtedly one of the harder-to-find entries in the genre, despite its rather unexceptional quality. Don’t get me wrong, it’s far from a bad game per se. But with legit dungeon crawler gems like Persona 4 Golden, Demon Gaze, Dungeon Travelers 2, and Darkest Dungeon vying for folks’ attention, Compile Heart and Idea Factory’s JRPG is a slightly tougher sell.
Nevertheless, for those who like their dungeon crawling escapades with a generous side of provocative fan service — and have already completed the superior entries in the genre like the aforementioned Demon Gaze and Dungeon Travelers 2 — then Mary Skelter: Nightmares is a bit of a no-brainer. For collectors, what makes this one so rare, however, is that it received a fairly limited print run and it’s also quite a niche genre.
Oddworld: New & Tasty
Used $114 | New $149
This ground-up remake of the 1997 PS1 classic Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee ditched the original title and opted for a fresh moniker. Its name is not the only thing that changed, however, as Just Add Water’s retooling of the source material added some fresh new dialogue, higher fidelity graphics, improved performance, and even a couple of difficulty modes that weren’t present in the original.
While this endearing platformer boasts a cult following, what really makes it rare is how limited the number of physical copies were pressed. In fact, the company behind the game’s physical release was none other than boutique publisher, Limited Run Games, which only printed approximately 2,500 copies. Thanks to its cult status and its limited availability, this is one of the most desirable and rare titles on Sony’s underappreciated handheld.
A Rose in the Twilight
Used $152 | New $191
Speaking of charming 2D platformers, the delightfully eerie indie gem A Rose in the Twilight wants to get in on the action. Developed by Nippon ichi Software, the Japanese studio behind the creepy Yomawari series and the criminally underrated The Liar Princess and the Blind Prince, this cutesy grisly puzzle-platformer is what you’d get if you smashed Limbo and Dokuro into a blender and threw in a liberal dose of blood-drenched nightmare fuel.
Narratively, you assume the role of a young girl who has awoken in a strange castle with no recollection of how she got there. With the aid of a mysterious monster, players must manoeuver their way through a dark labyrinth brimming with traps, hostile creatures, and dastardly puzzles. NIS America was responsible for the Western release of this game, and it only received a single limited run of copies which you had to purchase through its official website, hence its rarity these days.
Breach & Clear
Used $224 | New $307
While tactical games like XCOM: Enemy Unknown were quite popular on the PS Vita, they often had trouble running on Sony’s system due to hardware limitations. Case in point, Mighty Rabbit Studios’ turn-based strategy experience Breach & Clear is an entertaining military action-RPG held back by frustrating bugs, underwhelming visuals, and a lack of a meaningful story.
Often cited as the rarest title on the Japanese giant’s miniature console, Breach & Clear is another Limited Run Games-published physical title that’s incredibly hard to find. Interestingly, it was the first ever game to receive the physical treatment from the now-prominent indie distributor. Officially, only 1,500 units were ever released into the wild. Still, you’ll occasionally see a copy of Breach & Clear floating around on eBay for a massive markup over its $24.99 original RRP. Surprisingly, there are a handful of titles that are worth even more cash in this day and age, however.
Ar Nosurge Plus: Ode To An Unborn Star
Used $336 | New $438
It’s not often I say this, but the PS Vita iteration of Ar Nosurge Plus: Ode To An Unborn Star is the definitive version of the game. In essence, it’s an enhanced port of the PS3 JRPG boasting the entirety of the original title’s DLC, a newly added tutorial segment, and some extra cosmetic costumes thrown in for good measure.
As is the case with many of the titles on this list, Ar Nosurge Plus: Ode To An Unborn Star received a very meagre print run. Combine this with the fact that you could only purchase this version of the game through NIS America’s official website and you’re left with one of the most desirable yet exceptionally rare RPGs to have graced Sony’s pint-sized console.
A. W. Phoenix Festa
Used $570 | New $650
Based on The Asterisk War Japanese anime series, A.W.: Phoenix Festa is an action-RPG with a visual novel twist, much akin to the Persona series. It doesn’t quite reach the heights of Atlus’s beloved franchise, but there’s fun to be gleaned from its amalgamation of arena combat and dating sim elements.
For some bizarre reason, the English physical versions of the game received a very small print run and were only released in South Asia and Malaysia. As a consequence, tracking down non-Japanese copies of A.W.: Phoenix Festa is like trying to find a needle in the hay. Interestingly, the game was de-listed in 2019, meaning that a second print run was completely off the cards, leading to the desirability of the title spiking dramatically over the last few years.
1001 Spikes
Used $1,142 | New $1,485
On the topic of spikes (see what I did there), Nicalis Inc.’s 2D action-platformer is well and truly in the upper echelons of rare PS Vita titles. Funnily enough, the rarity of the last three games on this list was precipitated by an unusual set of circumstances. See, back in 2016, it was rumored that three indie games were gonna receive the physical release treatment, one of those being 1001 Spikes.
However, the rumors never really amounted to much, leading many to believe that the hearsay was just a load of cobblers. Fast forward to 2019, however, and a few physical units did make it to the second-hand market in Japan. These copies had punch holes in the barcodes, which means that they were likely promo units owned by a Sony employee. Because of this, there are very few official units out in the wild, hence the game’s huge markup price.
VVVVVV
Used $1,199 | New $1,726
Continuing on from the aforementioned scenario, Terry Cavanagh’s indie precision platformer VVVVVV was also a much-rumored physical release for the PS Vita. Unfortunately, its physical release never officially saw the light of day likely due to the same reasons as the abovementioned 1001 Spikes.
Regardless, a small handful of copies did make it onto second-hand shelves back in 2019. And because there are only a few in existence, it remains one of the rarest of the rare PS Vita physical carts around. Astonishingly, Nicalis Inc. — the developer behind 1001 Spikes — even tweeted out urging fans to not buy the “illegal” copies that had made their way to eBay, promising that official physical versions were on their way. Thing is, those official versions never ever came to fruition.
The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth
Used $4,000 | New $4,344
Finding a physical copy of The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth on PS Vita is like discovering the holy grail nestled inside of a dodo’s egg. In other words: it’s like super duper rare, okay? In fact, it’s largely believed that there are only two physical copies of the game in existence, making it the rarest of the Nicalis Inc. trifecta of titles.
Much like the last couple of entries, The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth was also rumored to see a physical release on Sony’s miniature console. For some mysterious reason, however — likely due to a lack of demand — the physical versions were axed and only a couple of promo copies exist. So, if you’re lucky enough to track one down, expect to pay an arm and a leg for the privilege.
