The PlayStation Vita.  Though it may not be everyone’s ideal handheld choice (the 3DS is out there, along with cheaper handhelds and that iPhone thing), it’s still a sleek little thing that’s well worth playing.  Sony has made quite a push with the system so far, with a number of impressive games and a few more on the way, including Resistance: Burning Skies landing at retail (and digitally) later this month.  But when it comes to games you MUST have, what are the best choices for the system?

Award-winning composers Jason Graves (Dead Space) and Kevin Riepl (Gears of War) have created an original score for Resistance: Burning Skies, Sony’s new PlayStation Vita first-person shooter. Developed by Nihilistic Software, Resistance: Burning Skies is the PS Vita debut of Insomniac Games’ Resistance PS3 franchise. Graves and Riepl each wrote forty minutes of orchestral music for the shooter. Resistance: Burning Skies ships on May 29.

Every year, video game companies go all out at one specific event – the Electronic Entertainment Expo, which takes place every year in Los Angeles around June.  Here, companies like to show off what lies ahead in the next twelve to fifteen months, big projects, small uprisings, little advancements to their hardware…that sort of thing.  We’ve been to a lot of shows now, and they’ve been impressive, but E3 2012 should be an even bigger year, thanks to what the companies are bringing.

Sony’s push for independent games continues to be a pretty solid one, with the likes of Shawn McGrath’s Dyad, the innovative Papo & Yo and several others coming to the PlayStation Network over the next few months.  But one that slipped under the radar for some time – and is just now resurfacing – is The Unfinished Swan.  First started as an independent project under the guidance of Ian Dallas in 2008, the game has since grown into a huge exclusive for the Sony camp.  Recently, the company, along with Ian’s team at Giant Sparrow, invited us to get a first look at the game, leading into the huge showing it’ll be getting at E3 next month.

Nissan North America is partnering once again with Sony Computer Entertainment America and Polyphony Digital for a second season of the popular non-scripted TV series GT Academy in the U.S. The series will highlight the latest blending of virtual racing and reality. GT Academy challenges gamers and racing fans to compete in a series of online time trials in pre-selected Nissan vehicles for a shot at becoming a real racing driver. Last year’s competition drew over 53,000 competitors nationwide, with 30-year old Californian Bryan Heitkotter emerging as the winner. Heitkotter has gone on to compete in races for Nissan in the United States, Middle East and Europe. Heikotter talks about the experience in the exclusive video interview below.

What does the current number one box office hit Think Like A Man and Sony’s upcoming shooter Starhawk have in common? Award-winning film, television, and video game composer Christopher Lennertz has scored both projects. Lennertz worked with Sony Santa Monica Studios and Lightbox Interactive’s on the PlayStation 3 exclusive. The score album will be released June 19, 2012 through La-La Land Records.

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) is taking a page out of Nintendo’s popular Super Smash Bros. blockbuster with an exclusive PlayStation 3 game. PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, developed by SuperBot Entertainment for the PS3, gathers some of the biggest names from first-party franchises together for four-player fighting action. Check out the exclusive video interview below.