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Top 10 most anticipated PlayStation Vita games of 2013

Will 2013 be the year the Vita finally shines?

Top 10 most anticipated PlayStation Vita games of 2013
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This year wasn't so kind to the fledgling PS Vita. Sales weren't too hot, and there were slim pickings as far as games were concerned.

But, hey - when was the last time that a games console did well in its first year? A platform rarely comes into its own until its second year on shop shelves.

And so, in 2013 the PS Vita has it all to play for. But judging by this upcoming games lineup, it may well have it in the bag. (Although we'd really appreciate a price cut, too, Sony!)

Read on to find out what you'll be playing next year.

Tearaway
By Media Molecule - out 2013

Is there anything more exciting than the prospect of a completely new game from the people behind LittleBigPlanet? Tearaway was announced earlier this year, and is heavily inspired by papercrafting.

This game aims to take the PS Vita functionality and turn it completely on its head, utilizing it in ways we haven't seen before. The back touchpad, for example, can be used to stick your fingers directly through paper in Tearaway's world. Definitely one to watch out for.

Killzone Mercenary
By Guerrilla Games - out 2013

While the future of the Killzone series on console has not yet been divulged, it's nice to know that Vita owners will be entering the world of the Helghast.

What we know about Mercenary is you're a ruthless gun fore fire, helping both the ISA and the Helghast. You'll fulfil contracts and then spend your hard-earned cash on bigger and better guns.

Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
By Sanzaru Games - out March 27th, 2013

There's a chance you haven't delved into the Sly Cooper series before. The original trio of stealth platformers were released for the PS2 over the last decade, and have truly stood the test of time.

This series reboot doesn't come from the original developer Sucker Punch, but we're still hoping that it will be able to achieve the greatness of the originals, as Sly heads out once again to steal anything that isn't nailed down.

Soul Sacrifice
By Marvelous AQL and Sony Japan - out 2013

Gravity Rush showed that the PS Vita can certainly benefit from an injection of quality Japanese gaming. Now Keiji Inafune, best known for creating Mega Man, is heading up development on Soul Sacrifice for Vita.

And wow oh wow, it's looking mighty fine. And mighty gruesome. As you're about to be sacrificed by a powerful sorcerer, a demon pops up out of nowhere and throws you back in time, allowing you to take part in all the battles the sorcerer has previously faced. Great concept, and gorgeous visuals too.

Phantasy Star Online 2
By Sega - out 2013

The original Phantasy Star Online for Sega Dreamcast was a dream RPG, with classic, hard-as-nails battling amidst your online friends. More than 10 years later we're getting a proper sequel, and we're excited as anything.

Things we know about PSO2: It looks gorgeous. It looks huge. It's free-to-play. It looks like the original, but updated for today's standards. Essentially, we can't wait.

Guacamelee!
By DrinkBox Studios - out 2013

Fact: Mutant Blobs Attack for PS Vita was, and still is, one of the best digital games for the handheld. So a new title from this team is something that's always going to make us turn our heads.

But when you then lay it on us that Guacamelee! will be a Metroid-vania style platformer, set in a "magical Mexican world", you've got us hook, line and sinker. We'll be ramming this in our game-shaped holes as soon as poss'.

KickBeat
By Zen Studios - out 2013

Another release from a big-name developer, KickBeat slipped silently into 2013 while no-one was watching. You don't want to mess with this one, though - it's a bit dangerous.

Kickbeat is a rhythm fighting game, with button tapping to the beat in a bid to beat up baddies, and lots of other things that start with the letter B. We enjoyed it back at Gamescom, so we're expecting great things from it soon.

Rocketbirds: Hardboiled Chicken
By Ratloop - Q1 2013

Rocketbirds has been available on PC for a while, and it's a bit of a stonker. Imagine being a commando chicken, on a mission to infiltrate a birdy base and kill as many poultry as possible.

This port to PS Vita is bound to also be rather good fun, with its huge style and substance scaled down and plopped onto your Vita memory card.

Persona 4: Golden
By Atlus - out February 2013

Yes yes, you Americans have already had Persona 4: Golden for a short while now. Well done. Pat yourself on the back.

But we Europeans are being made to wait just that little bit longer - which is incredibly difficult, when it's the best-reviewed game for the PS Vita by a long shot.

Golden is an enhanced port of the original Persona 4 RPG, with additional features, characters and elements in the game. If you're not excited for this, I don't even know what to say.

Zone of the Enders HD Collection
By Kojima Productions - out 2013

The ZOE series has been getting re-releases in HD for the home consoles. In 2013, the PS Vita will also get a taste of the action, and we can't wait.

That's because Zone of the Enders is a downright classic, featuring space-based colony hopping and energy sword slicing through enemies. If you never played the originals, this will be a breath of fresh air.

Mike Rose
Mike Rose
An expert in the indie games scene, Mike comes to Pocket Gamer as our handheld gaming correspondent. He is the author of 250 Indie Games You Must Play.