I purchased a PS3 and it was one of the best factor I’ve achieved in 2025

I have been a lifelong gamer, and one in all my largest 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 am going to admit that this was primarily attributable to Halo 3, however due to that call, I saved my 360 all through that total console era, 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 by way of its latest official update from Sony or the emulators now showing on Android — it acquired me considering loads 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 prefer to play the unique PS3 and full my PlayStation assortment, I drove to my native retro sport 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 affordable and straightforward

You may get one on-line or from an area retro sport 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 might have discovered one thing cheaper on Fb Market or eBay, however I needed to help my native retro sport retailer, they usually provide a superb guarantee choice in case I run into any points. That stated, for those who’re occupied with additionally getting a PS3 in 2025, there is a good probability you will get the whole lot you want for round $100.

After I advised my good friend I acquired a PS3, he in contrast the price of getting it to choosing up a Swap 2 sport, which I used to be baffled by once I got here to the belief he was proper. I just lately 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 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 pleasurable 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 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 Dangerous Firm, I noticed this as a terrific 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 replica 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 exhausting to argue with that worth.

Discovering the magic of the PS3

The PlayStation Retailer on the PS3 nonetheless works

The primary sport 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 sport I performed on the PS3 was additionally the primary sport 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 traditional shooter once more.

Subsequent up, I popped in Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. I’ve at all times 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 seemed on the PS3. Clearly, it appears to be like higher on the PS4 and PS5, however for the $5 I paid, I can not complain. I nonetheless have to complete it, however I am excited to maneuver on to the second sport, Amongst Thieves, which I’ve heard is one of the best one.

Whereas exploring extra video games to play on the PS3, I additionally discovered 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 achieved the identical for the PS3 in spite of everything these years. However to my shock, it stays lively. I used to be in a position to 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 sport in virtually twenty years.

Though the PS3 on-line retailer now not options each PS3 sport digitally — doubtless attributable to 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 sport. The one caveat with the PlayStation Retailer on PS3 is that you could’t add your bank card to it. You might want to add funds to your PlayStation account by way of 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 sport. Today, even with a disc model, you usually have to attend for it to obtain. However with the PS3, I simply popped in a disc, possibly 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 is probably not fairly as beautiful because the PS5, however the expertise stays pleasurable

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 just lately, and it has introduced again a superb variety of joyful childhood gaming reminiscences.

Whereas I presently have solely a handful of video games for it, I am excited to choose up much more quickly from eBay and my native sport 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 various video games I have never even heard of that I want 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 the event you’re in search of a blast to the previous and an affordable solution to play plenty of completely 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 12 months and into the longer term as I gather extra video games for it.