Feature

Top 20 Games We Want on NGP

Our wish list of unannounced games for Sony’s next handheld.

By: Andrew Hayward
June 1, 2011

New hardware launches help unlock the creativity in developers — pushing them towards using the innovative and enhanced capabilities of the new platform to spawn exciting new game ideas. But let’s be honest — we’re also keen on seeing some of our favorite existing properties updated and enhanced on a new device, and the NGP (or PlayStation Vita, or whatever it ultimately will be called) seems poised to deliver several faithful franchise iterations, with Uncharted, Wipeout, Killzone, Little Big Planet, and Hot Shots Golf entries all on the horizon, among others.

We’ll be hearing much more about the launch lineup and whatever else is on the horizon in the coming days (i.e. E3), but before that happens, here’s our list of the 20 yet-to-be-announced games and series we most want to see on the NGP. And feel free to comment about your own personal NGP wishlist.

Battlefield 3

With two analog sticks and PlayStation 3-ish quality visuals, it seems fair to say that the NGP should be able to do modern first-person shooters justice on the go. Why wait on bringing arguably the most jaw-dropping entry in the next batch — Battlefield 3 — to the platform as soon as possible? Being able to level buildings while sitting on a park bench sounds like an amazing experience, and while the online play experience probably won’t be up to snuff over a 3G connection, sniping enemy forces over Wi-Fi while you’re snuggled up in bed won’t be just a pipe dream. Maybe that’s wishful thinking, and NGP versions of top shooters are still a ways off, but don’t be surprised if Battlefield and Call of Duty are battling it out for NGP owner dollars sooner than later after launch.

Child of Eden

Wait, Child of Eden, the game you (optionally) play with Kinect or PlayStation Move, right? Correct. And certainly, this spiritual successor to beloved rhythm-shooter Rez seems best experienced with a large TV, a booming sound system, and your motion controller of choice. So why even consider an NGP iteration? Because of the many distinct control options available to Q Entertainment (arguably one of the most creative developers around). Between the motion controls, two touch interfaces, and dual analog sticks, we have no doubt that Q could transform this into a more than worthy handheld experience — one worth plugging your headphones and mind into for one hell of a trip, even if you’re actually on a trip.

Final Fantasy VII

Rumors about a Final Fantasy VII remake have swirled for about as long as the PSone had an official successor on the horizon, but while we haven’t heard anything solid of late, now seems as smart a time as ever to finally push forward with such a project. Not only is demand for such a remake still sky high, but Square Enix has also been pursuing many more handheld updates to its Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest games in recent years. Next year also happens to be the 15th anniversary of Final Fantasy VII’s release, which certainly doesn’t hurt. We’re not counting on it actually happening, but an announcement would make for one heck of an E3 bombshell — one that would send anticipation for the hardware through the roof around the world.