This is a list of noteworthy games that aren’t digitally downloadable for PS3 or PSP. I will also list games that aren’t yet working on PS Vita or require a PS3 to transfer from. Note that physical versions of games, although compatible on all PS2 and PS3 models, remain region-locked. Digital versions are region-free but require that your PS3 and TV are capable of outputting the game’s native signal (e.g. NTSC or PAL) if you are using analog video outputs (i.e. anything other than HDMI).
- Ace Combat 2
- Ace Combat 3
- Air Combat (a.k.a. Ace Combat)
- Azure Dreams (available digitally in Japan only)
- Battle Arena Toshinden (available on the Playstation Classic)
- Brave Fencer Musashi (available digitally in Japan only)
- Breath of Fire III (available digitally in Europe)
- Bushido Blade (available digitally in Japan only)
- Bushido Blade 2 (available digitally in Japan only)
- D (PC version is digitally available on GOG.com, best version is available on Sega Saturn)
- Dance Dance Revolution (series)
- Devil Dice (available on the Japanese Playstation Classic, under the name XI [sai]. Also available digitally in Japan only)
- Die Hard Trilogy
- Die Hard Trilogy 2
- Dragon Warrior VII (available on 3DS, although Western versions feature MIDI music while the Japanese version has an orchestral soundtrack)
- Ehrgeiz (available digitally in Japan only)
- Fear Effect
- Fear Effect 2: Retro Helix (available on the European PSN)
- Final Fantasy IV (available digitally in Japan only; PSP remake is available digitally)
- G-Darius (available digitally in Japan only; available on the Japanese Playstation Classic)
- Gran Turismo
- Gran Turismo 2
- Grand Theft Auto (available digitally in Japan only, where it has a CERO Z rating and can thus only be purchased with a credit card having a Japanese billing address (point cards/wallet balances cannot be used to fund purchases of CERO Z-rated games) (available on the Playstation Classic)
- Grand Theft Auto II
- Intelligent Qube (Available digitally in Japan only. Available on the Playstation Classic)
- Lunar: Silver Star Story
- Mega Man X3 (note: PS2- or Gamecube-capable systems can obtain this game via the Mega Man X Collection) – Digital release of the SNES version available on Wii U. Mega Man X 1-4 are available on PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switch in the Mega Man X Legacy Collection (also available physically bundled with Mega Man X Legacy Collection 2, containing Mega Man X 5-8)
- Mega Man X6 (note: PS2- or Gamecube-capable systems can obtain this game via the Mega Man X Collection, currently available digitally in Japan only). Mega Man X 5-6 are available on PS4, Xbox One, PC and Switch in the Mega Man X Legacy Collection 2 (also available physically bundled with Mega Man X Legacy Collection, containing Mega Man X 1-4)
- Mr. Driller (formerly on North American PSN, delisted. Still available on Japanese PSN)
- Policenauts (available digitally in Japan only, unofficial fan-translated English version exists but requires a modded PS1-capable console to play. Better version is available on Sega Saturn, similarly fan-translated into English)
- R-Type Delta (formerly available digitally, no longer purchasable)
- Revelations: Persona (enhanced version with better translation available digitally and physically on PSP under the title Shin Megami Tensei: Persona. PS1 version available on the Playstation Classic)
- Rival Schools (available digitally in Japan only)
- SaGa Frontier (available digitally in Japan only)
- SaGa Frontier 2 (available digitally in Japan only)
- Star Ocean: The Second Story
- Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo (HD Remake available digitally on PS3 and 360. PS1 version available on the Playstation Classic)
- Tekken 3 (available on the Playstation Classic)
- Tobal No. 1
- Tobal 2 (Japan only)
- Valkyrie Profile (re-released with better translation but minus a few gameplay enhancedments on PSP with no digital release – physical UMD only)
- Vandal Hearts
- Vandal Hearts II
UPDATE April 24th 2014: It appears enabling all PS1 downloads on the PS Vita was accidental so the previous restrictions have been restored. If you managed to download any of the below games to your Vita, it is strongly recommended to back them up to a PC using the Content Manager as they will not be redownloadable.
The following games are downloadable and playable on a PS3 or PSP. For a PS Vita the following games will have to be downloaded and transferred from a PS3; once installed to the Vita they can be managed and backed up with the Content Manager.
- Arcade Hits: Shienryu
- Arcade Hits: Sonic Wings Special
- Art Camion Sugorokuden
- Blockids
- Burst Angel
- Castlevania Chronicles
- Cho Aniki
- Command & Conquer: Red Alert
- Cool Boarders
- Dezaemon Plus!
- Dezaemon Kids!
- Finger Flashing
- GaiaSeed
- Galaxy Fight
- International Track and Field
- Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver
- Lup*Salad
- Makeruna Makendo 2
- Metal Gear Solid
- Money Idol Exchanger
- Pandemonium
- Rapid Angel
- Silent Hill
- Tall Unlimited
- Umjammer Lammy
- Zanac X Zanac
The following games are downloadable, and will work on a PS3 or PSP, but will not work on a PS Vita (note: the below list applies to North American versions only. Some games are available in working format in Europe or Japan this way. If one of the below games is listed on your version of the store from your Vita, assume it’s compatible). Update: if you managed to download any of the below games to your PS Vita during the short window when it was possible, it is strongly recommended to back them up to a PC using the content manager, as they will not be re-downloadable.
- Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare
- Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain
- Bloody Roar
- Bloody Roar 2
- Command & Conquer
- Crash Bandicoot
- Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back
- Crash Bandicoot: Warped
- Crash Team Racing
- Future Cop: LAPD
- Motor Toon Grand Prix
- Myst
- Pocket Fighter
- Sim Theme Park
- Spyro The Dragon
- Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage
- Spyro: Year of the Dragon
- Star Wars Dark Forces
- Vehicle Cavalier
Let's Get Physical - non-digital video games 