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

I have been a lifelong gamer, and one in all my greatest regrets has at all times been lacking out on the PlayStation 3 (PS3) era and a few 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 will admit that this was primarily on account of Halo 3, however due to that call, I saved my 360 all through that total console technology, 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 currently — whether or not via its latest official update from Sony or the emulators now showing on Android — it obtained me considering quite a bit concerning 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 wish 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 will get one on-line or from an area retro recreation retailer

General, for the PS3 console, a legit controller, and eight video games, I paid lower than $150 for every little thing, and I used to be fairly happy with that. I may have discovered one thing cheaper on Fb Market or eBay, however I wished to help my native retro recreation retailer, and so they provide a very good guarantee choice in case I run into any points. That stated, should you’re fascinated by additionally getting a PS3 in 2025, there is a good probability you may get every little thing you want for round $100.

After I advised my pal I obtained 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 conclusion he was proper. I lately picked up The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for the Nintendo Swap 2, which retails for $80. In case you look on eBay, you’ll find loads of PS3s for across the similar value. What a time we reside in.

After all, acquiring the precise console is simply the primary a part of the expertise. Essentially the most gratifying half is the video games. I’ve chosen just a few titles to start with, and I plan to purchase many extra within the close to future to assist construct my assortment.

To begin, I picked up Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, Uncharted 2: Amongst Thieves, and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. I do know you’ll find remastered variations of those on PS4/PS5, however I wished 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 Dangerous Firm, I noticed this as a terrific probability to attempt it out on PS3.

Earlier this yr, I performed The Final of Us: Half One, however I used to be curious concerning the unique PS3 model. So, I additionally purchased a replica of it, together with Medal of Honor, Lego Star Wars: The Full Saga, and Skyrim. Every of those video games price me about $5-10, so it is arduous 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 attempt on the PS3 was truly 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 enjoying a basic shooter once more.

Subsequent up, I popped in Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. I’ve at all times liked 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 appeared on the PS3. Clearly, it seems 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 discovered that the PlayStation Retailer on the PS3 continues to be up and working. Xbox shut down its retailer on the 360, so I assumed PlayStation had in all probability accomplished the identical for the PS3 in spite of everything these years. However to my shock, it stays lively. I used to be capable of purchase Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, one in all 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 virtually twenty years.

Though the PS3 on-line retailer not options each PS3 recreation digitally — seemingly on account of licensing points — it is nonetheless nice to see many titles stay accessible. 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 may’t add your bank card to it. You want to 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 liked about enjoying the PS3 was how rapidly I may begin a brand new recreation. As of late, even with a disc model, you typically have to attend for it to obtain. However with the PS3, I simply popped in a disc, perhaps downloaded a small replace, and was enjoying inside a minute. I had forgotten how easy gaming was, and it made me miss the previous days. None of this Game-Key card nonsense or ready for 100GBs to obtain.

The PS3 continues to be value enjoying in 2025

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

If you have not owned a PS3 earlier than, I strongly suggest getting one at a low value and attempting it out. I’ve actually loved enjoying it lately, and it has introduced again a very good variety of joyful childhood gaming reminiscences.

Whereas I at present have solely a handful of video games for it, I am excited to select 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 Stable 4: Weapons of the Patriots, Notorious, and LittleBigPlanet. I am certain there are lots of video games I have never 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, enjoying video games on it nonetheless stays simply as enjoyable now as it will’ve been again in 2006 or 2013. In case you’re in search of a blast to the previous and an affordable approach 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 enjoying it much more this yr and into the longer term as I accumulate extra video games for it.