The PlayStation Vita launches this week and brings with it the promise of the most impressive games ever seen on a handheld. Here we compare it to the 3DS and iPhone 4S to see which handheld is the best.

Games

PS Vita

The Vita is the newest kid on the block, and as such has the smallest library of games available. Just over 20 games are in stores to buy, with a few more only accessible via digital download on the PlayStation Store. The quality is generally very good, with WipEout 2048, Uncharted Golden Abyss, FIFA Football, MotorStorm RC, and Escape Plan.

All Vita games released at retail are also available to download via the PlayStation Store. A select number of PSP games are also available to download and benefit from the Vita's larger screen and second analogue stick.

iPhone 4S

The iPhone 4S is home to some incredible games, all available to download via the App Store. New games are released every day, and there's usually at least one notable release every week.

The majority of games are built around touch and tilt mechanics, although a growing number attempt to map buttons and control sticks onto the touch screen to create console-like experiences - these are a very mixed bag.

3DS

While the 3DS started off poorly, with few must-have releases, the console has received plenty of quality titles in recent months. It now has Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3DS, Resident Evil Revelations, and soon Kid Icarus and Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D. Although also home to a lot of shovelware rubbish, the best 3DS games are up there with the greatest titles available on any platform.

A digital store offers a selection of cheaper gamers, including those originally released for the GBA and NES. DS games are also fully playable on the 3DS.

Winner: iPhone 4S

Despite hundreds of clones and an awful lot of rubbish filling the App Store, the iPhone 4S is easily the victor here - unless you're after true console gaming experiences.