I purchased a PS3 in 2025 and here is how one can too

Whereas many nice video games have been launched to this point this 12 months, equivalent to Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, Loss of life Stranding 2: On the Seashore, and Donkey Kong Bananza, I’ve just lately discovered myself frequently going again to play older video games on the PlayStation 3 (PS3).

Why, chances are you’ll ask? Again within the late 2000s, I initially had an Xbox 360, so I solely missed out on all the good video games the PS3 needed to provide, equivalent to Uncharted, Demon Souls, and Steel Gear Stable. So, when the PS3 received a system update earlier this 12 months, regardless of being almost 20 years outdated, it sparked a renewed curiosity within the console for me, which made me understand I lastly want to select one up and expertise all the things I missed out on. And most significantly, PS3 consoles and video games are low cost in a time when the price of video games and consoles continues to rise.

That stated, with the PS3 having been launched initially in 2006, it’s not a console you may merely stroll into any retailer and purchase these days. If you wish to purchase a PS3 in 2025, it is not troublesome, however there are a couple of completely different choices, with every providing completely different trade-offs. This is how one can get your palms on a PS3 in 2025.

GameStop Retro and native sport shops are the best choices

You may get a console that you recognize works, and is prone to include a guaranty

One of many best methods to purchase a PS3 in 2025 is thru GameStop Retro. In the event you’re unfamiliar with it, final 12 months, GameStop started converting some of its US locations to GameStop Retro shops, which give attention to promoting older consoles and video games. You possibly can view their collection of pre-owned PS3s on-line, and have it shipped proper to your entrance door, or you may choose it up in-store if a GameStop Retro has it close to you.

Whereas GameStop Retro might have a better value than, say, utilizing a web site like Fb Market or eBay, you are assured to get a console that works, and also you additionally get GameStop’s pre-owned assure, which suggests it may be returned when you run into any points. Contemplating the PS3 is approaching 20 years outdated, there are doubtlessly points that might come up with any given console, so the added peace of thoughts could also be value it to you.

That stated, GameStop Retro is not the one choice to get a PS3 in 2025, neither is it essentially one of the best. Once I was on the lookout for a PS3 myself, I selected to purchase one from my native retro sport retailer. The value was truly decrease than at GameStop, and so they supplied a 30-day guarantee in case something went flawed with the console. All of the consoles my native sport retailer bought had been additionally refurbished, cleaned, and examined in-house, so I knew the PS3 I used to be shopping for would truly work. So not solely was I capable of assist a neighborhood enterprise, however I additionally bought a very good deal and a guaranty.

In fact, a serious caveat right here is definitely having a neighborhood retro sport retailer close by. I discovered one close to me that I did not even know existed simply by Googling “retro sport retailer close to me.” Who is aware of, you is likely to be shocked how shut some retro shops are to you. In the event you discover one, I like to recommend testing their insurance policies to find out how they deal with refurbished consoles and whether or not they provide any guarantee. 30-day or 60-day warranties are preferable.

On-line marketplaces are nonetheless a viable choice

You could find one of the best costs on websites like eBay and Fb Market

In the event you’re on the hunt for the bottom value attainable and are not overly involved about warranties, shopping for a PS3 from a web based market like eBay or Fb Market might be value contemplating over native shops.

On the time of writing, there are literally thousands of listings for the PS3 on eBay, with costs various broadly relying on the kind of PS3, cupboard space, and whether or not any video games or a controller are included. Once I additionally checked Fb Market in my metropolis, I noticed a dozen or so listings that had been additionally fairly tempting and cheaper than GameStop Retro.

The largest danger related to shopping for a console from Fb Market, eBay, Craigslist, or some other on-line market is that there is no such thing as a guarantee, and if one thing goes flawed with the console, chances are you’ll be out of luck. Though eBay does have an “eBay Cash Again Assure” course of in case a problem arises.

In the event you determine to go down a route like Fb Market, it is at all times greatest to ask the vendor beforehand when you can check the console rapidly once you choose it as much as see if it boots and masses up a sport okay.

There are three PS3 fashions

The PS3 Slim is the most typical

While you’re taking a look at PS3 fashions on-line, you may doubtless additionally discover that the look and design of the console might differ from itemizing to itemizing. It’s because Sony launched three major fashions of the PS3 throughout its lifespan. The unique PS3, launched in 2006 (generally known as the “Fats” PS3), the PS3 Slim, launched in 2009, and the Tremendous Slim PS3, launched in 2012.

The PS3 Slim is probably going the mannequin you may see probably the most typically. That is the PS3 I opted for, just because it was on sale for one of the best value and supplied probably the most storage, at 320GB. The Tremendous Slim PS3 can be fairly widespread and probably the most compact of the three PS3 fashions. It is pretty priced from most sellers and has a top-loading disc drive.

The unique “Fats” PS3 is the rarest of the three fashions, and because the identify implies, it’s a bigger model in comparison with the PS3 Slim and Tremendous Slim. Nonetheless, one in all its benefits is that it is backwards suitable with PS2 video games, whereas the PS3 Slim and PS3 Tremendous Slim aren’t. That stated, the unique PS3, launched in 2006, can be the rarest, and a few models did undergo from overheating points, making it a riskier and doubtlessly costlier purchase.

Primarily based on my expertise, I like to recommend the PS3 Slim, as there are such a lot of accessible, and you may doubtless get one of the best deal for a PS3 with this mannequin. Whereas it is helpful that the unique “Fats” PS3 can play PS2 video games, I do not assume it is value the additional price and danger related to it. In the event you actually wish to play PS2 video games, you could possibly at all times choose up an inexpensive PS2 or check out emulation.

To sum all of it up, when you’re aiming to purchase a PS3 in 2025, GameStop Retro and native retro sport shops are in all probability the most secure and most handy choices for most individuals. On-line marketplaces like eBay and Fb Market can provide one of the best offers, however they arrive with dangers equivalent to receiving a console that may not work or missing guarantee. When selecting the kind of PS3, the PS3 Slim and Tremendous Slim are sometimes the best to search out and sometimes probably the most inexpensive.