I purchased a PS3 and it was the most effective factor I’ve completed in 2025

I have been a lifelong gamer, and considered one of my greatest regrets has all the time been lacking out on the PlayStation 3 (PS3) era and a number of the glorious video games related to it. In 2007, once I confronted the selection of which new console to get, the PS3 or Xbox 360, I selected the latter. I am going to admit that this was primarily because of Halo 3, however due to that call, I stored my 360 all through that complete console era, and because of this, I missed out on the expertise of proudly owning a PS3.

In 2025, practically twenty years later, I made a decision it was lastly time to repair this. After listening to about all of the love the PS3 has been receiving recently — whether or not via its latest official update from Sony or the emulators now showing on Android — it bought me considering rather a lot in regards to the PS3 and what I missed out on.

I’ve a PS1, PS2, PS4, and PS5, however I do not personal a PS3. What was I considering? So, in a quest to lastly expertise what it was prefer to play the unique PS3 and full my PlayStation assortment, I drove to my native retro recreation retailer, picked up a PS3, and launched into a journey of discovery. There’s nothing like a nostalgia journey, and the PS3 is a blast from the previous that also has legs in 2025.

Getting a PS3 is reasonable and straightforward

You may get one on-line or from a neighborhood retro recreation retailer

General, for the PS3 console, a legit controller, and eight video games, I paid lower than $150 for the whole lot, and I used to be fairly glad with that. I may have discovered one thing cheaper on Fb Market or eBay, however I needed to help my native retro recreation retailer, and so they provide guarantee choice in case I run into any points. That stated, for those who’re thinking about additionally getting a PS3 in 2025, there is a good likelihood you may get the whole lot you want for round $100.

Once I advised my buddy I bought a PS3, he in contrast the price of getting it to choosing up a Swap 2 recreation, which I used to be baffled by once I got here to the belief he was proper. I not too long ago picked up The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for the Nintendo Swap 2, which retails for $80. In the event you look on eBay, you could find loads of PS3s for across the similar worth. What a time we reside in.

In fact, acquiring the precise console is simply the primary a part of the expertise. Probably the most pleasant half is the video games. I’ve chosen a number of titles to start with, and I plan to purchase many extra within the close to future to assist construct my assortment.

To start out, I picked up Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted 2: Amongst Thieves, and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. I do know you could find remastered variations of those on PS4/PS5, however I needed the true PS3 expertise. I additionally purchased Battlefield: Bad Company. I am actually wanting ahead to Battlefield 6, and since I’ve by no means performed Unhealthy Firm, I noticed this as an important likelihood to strive it out on PS3.

Earlier this yr, I performed The Final of Us: Half One, however I used to be curious in regards to the authentic PS3 model. So, I additionally purchased a duplicate of it, together with Medal of Honor, Lego Star Wars: The Full Saga, and Skyrim. Every of those video games value me about $5-10, so it is laborious to argue with that worth.

Discovering the magic of the PS3

The PlayStation Retailer on the PS3 nonetheless works

The primary recreation I made a decision to strive on the PS3 was really Medal of Honor, primarily as a result of it got here with a remastered model of Medal of Honor: Frontline. It felt becoming that the primary recreation I performed on the PS3 was additionally the primary recreation I performed on the PS2. Storming the seashores of Normandy on the PS3 in full HD was a really nostalgic expertise, and it was enjoyable taking part in a basic shooter once more.

Subsequent up, I popped in Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. I’ve all the time cherished Indiana Jones and journey video games, so I figured Uncharted was proper up my alley. Contemplating the sport was launched in 2007, I used to be genuinely impressed with the way it regarded on the PS3. Clearly, it appears to be like higher on the PS4 and PS5, however for the $5 I paid, I am unable to complain. I nonetheless have to complete it, however I am excited to maneuver on to the second recreation, Amongst Thieves, which I’ve heard is the most effective one.

Whereas exploring extra video games to play on the PS3, I additionally came upon that the PlayStation Retailer on the PS3 remains to be up and working. Xbox shut down its retailer on the 360, so I assumed PlayStation had most likely completed the identical for the PS3 in any case these years. However to my shock, it stays energetic. I used to be capable of purchase Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, considered one of my favourite Star Wars titles from the PS2, and play it on the PS3. I used to be past excited as a result of I hadn’t performed that recreation in nearly twenty years.

Though the PS3 on-line retailer now not options each PS3 recreation digitally — seemingly because of licensing points — it is nonetheless nice to see many titles stay obtainable. I could not discover a bodily copy of The Sly Cooper Assortment, however the PS3 PlayStation Retailer has it, so I plan to buy it quickly, since I’ve by no means performed the third Sly Cooper recreation. The one caveat with the PlayStation Retailer on PS3 is that you would be able to’t add your bank card to it. That you must add funds to your PlayStation account via the app or web site, then go to the PS3 retailer and buy video games utilizing your added funds.

One other factor I cherished about taking part in the PS3 was how shortly I may begin a brand new recreation. Today, even with a disc model, you typically have to attend for it to obtain. However with the PS3, I simply popped in a disc, possibly downloaded a small replace, and was taking part in inside a minute. I had forgotten how easy gaming was, and it made me miss the outdated days. None of this Game-Key card nonsense or ready for 100GBs to obtain.

The PS3 remains to be value taking part in in 2025

The graphics will not be fairly as beautiful because the PS5, however the expertise stays pleasant

If you have not owned a PS3 earlier than, I strongly advocate getting one at a low worth and making an attempt it out. I’ve actually loved taking part in it not too long ago, and it has introduced again variety of joyful childhood gaming recollections.

Whereas I at the moment have solely a handful of video games for it, I am excited to choose up much more quickly from eBay and my native recreation retailer. There are a number of PS3-exclusive titles I wish to check out, together with the unique Demon Souls, Steel Gear Strong 4: Weapons of the Patriots, Notorious, and LittleBigPlanet. I am certain there are various video games I have not even heard of that I would like to take a look at as effectively.

General, I am glad I made a decision to purchase a PS3 in 2025. Whereas the system is nowhere close to as highly effective because the PS4 and PS5, taking part in video games on it nonetheless stays simply as enjoyable now as it could’ve been again in 2006 or 2013. In the event you’re on the lookout for a blast to the previous and an affordable method to play numerous totally different video games, then choosing up the PS3 in 2025 could also be worthwhile for you. I’ve zero regrets about choosing one up, and I am wanting ahead to taking part in it much more this yr and into the long run as I gather extra video games for it.