I hold my PS3 plugged in for one essential motive

The PS3 could have been launched all the best way again in 2006, an absolute relic in expertise phrases, however it’s nonetheless a console that many look again upon fondly. It had a tough launch due to its $600 price ticket, however when the value got here down, the PS3 managed to make up a ton of floor in its competitors with the Xbox 360.

That top worth was a troublesome tablet to swallow, however it’s not prefer it wasn’t considerably justified. For starters, it was the primary sport console to return geared up with a Blu-ray participant, primarily as a result of PS3 video games had been printed on Blu-ray discs. This additionally meant it was a superb choice for individuals trying to get into the then-new Blu-ray format.

Through the years, I’ve amassed fairly a big physical media assortment, and whereas I’ve largely moved on to 4K, I nonetheless choose up a Blu-ray disc right here and there. I do most of my watching on my Sony 4K Blu-ray participant, however I nonetheless hold my PS3 plugged in simply in case I wish to pop in a daily Blu-ray. Positive, I might use my 4K participant, however generally I really feel like watching someplace aside from my front room. I even have the additional advantage of my PS3 having the ability to hook up to a CRT TV.

The Blu-ray participant remains to be good in 2025

A really underrated facet

Blu-ray gamers are fairly low cost these days, particularly in the event you’re searching for one which’s strictly for Blu-rays and never their 4K counterparts, however none of them have the power to play video games. A PS3 is not too tough to trace down, even 20 years after its launch, and in the event you’re affected person sufficient, yow will discover one for round $50. I grabbed mine years after its launch so I might play the Metallic Gear Strong assortment, however what I did not know was how lengthy I would proceed to make use of it after I ended taking part in the video games.

The Blu-ray participant nonetheless works, and I am undecided if it’s going to ever give out. All electronics fail ultimately, so it is certain to occur, however it does not look like it’ll be any time quickly. My PS2 can nonetheless play CDs and DVDs, however I do know the clock is ticking there, for the reason that disc drive tends to be a weak level on the console. As for my PS3, it has proven no indicators of slowing down, and a part of which may be due to how little I exploit it. Regardless of shifting 3 times now since shopping for it, I nonetheless get it arrange and able to play films. It does not have any fancy bells and whistles such as you’d see in a contemporary Blu-ray participant, however I can not actually anticipate that from a sport console that is near 20 years previous now.

I do not know when, or if, Sony plans on dropping help for the PS3. It acquired an replace in 2025 to update the Blu-ray encryption key to make sure discs proceed to play, and it looks as if these updates will proceed to occur periodically so long as the corporate needs to maintain it working. When you’re fortunate sufficient to nonetheless have a purposeful PS3, I like to recommend giving its Blu-ray participant a attempt as a result of it is nonetheless a strong machine for that motive alone. It is largely been outclassed by dedicated players, however it’s nonetheless a powerhouse.

Your PS3 performs video games, too

And it does it fairly properly

I do know I have been occurring and on about how good of a Blu-ray participant the PS3 is, however it’s additionally a sport console. The primary factor working in opposition to the PS3 as we speak is most of the console’s finest video games — The Final of Us, Demon’s Souls, Shadow of the Colossus, and lots of extra — are higher performed on newer consoles. If you do not have entry to a PS4 or PS5, then the PS3 variations of those video games work simply high quality. It is the primary (and solely) approach I’ve performed The Final of Us, and regardless of higher variations being obtainable, I have not given them a attempt.

One other benefit of moving into the PS3 in 2025 is you’ll be able to choose up video games for reasonable. I discovered that the Xbox 360 and PS3 generations have not seen a giant enhance in sport costs, so it’s best to have the ability to hit a used sport retailer or eBay and choose up fairly a bit with out breaking the financial institution. The PS3 retailer remains to be open as properly, so you should purchase video games digitally, one thing I can not say in regards to the Xbox 360.

I would not say it’s best to exit and purchase a PS3 instantly, however in case you are all in favour of a number of the video games that have not been remastered for the PS4 or PS5, then I would say it is price grabbing. When you’re shopping for it for its Blu-ray capabilities alone, I might say to get a standalone participant or a PS4 or PS5. Each of these latter consoles can play 4K Blu-rays together with common Blu-rays, so there’s extra versatility.

A part of why I like utilizing the PS3 for its Blu-ray participant is one half nostalgia, and one half is it is simply easy to arrange and takes up no house. It additionally helps that I have already got one in good situation. My Xbox One may be very cumbersome and has that energy brick that takes up extra space than it ought to. The PS3 slim suits in properly on a shelf and has a daily energy wire that does not take up a lot room.

When you’ve got the house for it, I do not see any motive to not hold yours plugged in, as a result of it truly is a flexible little machine that continues to obtain updates. It does not have the graphical prowess of your PS5 or Xbox Collection X, however it’s not anticipated to be. All I need out of mine is the power to play Blu-ray discs every so often, and if I really feel like popping within the God of Warfare assortment, then I need it plugged in and able to go. All these years later, the PS3 nonetheless has a spot in my dwelling, one thing I can not say for a lot of of my older consoles. So long as it retains receiving updates to maintain the Blu-ray participant purposeful, I would simply hold utilizing it till it breaks.