I purchased a PS3 and it was the very best factor I’ve accomplished 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 among 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 as a consequence of Halo 3, however due to that call, I stored my 360 all through that whole console technology, and consequently, I missed out on the expertise of proudly owning a PS3.

In 2025, almost 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 obtained me pondering lots 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 pondering? 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 simple

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

Total, for the PS3 console, a legit controller, and eight video games, I paid lower than $150 for all the things, and I used to be fairly happy with that. I might have discovered one thing cheaper on Fb Market or eBay, however I wished to assist my native retro recreation retailer, they usually provide a very good guarantee possibility in case I run into any points. That mentioned, in case you’re inquisitive about additionally getting a PS3 in 2025, there is a good probability you may get all the things you want for round $100.

After I advised my good friend I obtained a PS3, he in contrast the price of getting it to selecting up a Change 2 recreation, which I used to be baffled by once I got here to the conclusion he was proper. I not too long ago picked up The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for the Nintendo Change 2, which retails for $80. In case you look on eBay, you could find loads of PS3s for across the identical worth. What a time we stay in.

In fact, acquiring the precise console is simply the primary a part of the expertise. Essentially the most pleasing 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 begin, 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 wished the true PS3 expertise. I additionally purchased Battlefield: Bad Company. I am actually trying ahead to Battlefield 6, and since I’ve by no means performed Dangerous Firm, I noticed this as an incredible probability to strive it out on PS3.

Earlier this 12 months, I performed The Final of Us: Half One, however I used to be curious concerning 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 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 all the time beloved 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 very best 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 in all probability accomplished the identical for the PS3 in any case these years. However to my shock, it stays energetic. I used to be in a position to 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 not options each PS3 recreation digitally — probably as a consequence 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 which you can’t add your bank card to it. You might 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 beloved about enjoying the PS3 was how rapidly I might begin a brand new recreation. Nowadays, 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 remains to be value enjoying in 2025

The graphics will not be fairly as gorgeous because the PS5, however the expertise stays pleasing

If you have not owned a PS3 earlier than, I strongly advocate getting one at a low worth and attempting it out. I’ve actually loved enjoying it not too long ago, and it has introduced again a very good variety of joyful childhood gaming recollections.

Whereas I at present 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 need to check out, together with the unique Demon Souls, Steel Gear Strong 4: Weapons of the Patriots, Notorious, and LittleBigPlanet. I am positive there are various video games I have never even heard of that I would like to take a look at as effectively.

Total, 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 on the lookout for a blast to the previous and an inexpensive solution to play a lot of totally different video games, then selecting up the PS3 in 2025 could also be worthwhile for you. I’ve zero regrets about selecting one up, and I am trying ahead to enjoying it much more this 12 months and into the longer term as I acquire extra video games for it.