Shopping for PS3 video games in 2026 is less complicated than you assume

Again within the late 2000s, I selected an Xbox 360 over a PS3, principally as a result of all my pals have been getting 360s and I wished to play Halo 3 with them. After that, I skipped the subsequent two Xbox generations in favor of the PS4 and PS5, due to video games like Spider-Man and God of Conflict. However even all these years later, I nonetheless regretted by no means proudly owning a PS3. So final yr, I mounted that by choosing one up from my native retro sport retailer, a journey I wrote about right here on Pocket-lint.

I went with a PS3 Slim, and it has been unbelievable for revisiting classics I by no means acquired to play of their authentic kind, like The Sly Cooper Assortment, the Uncharted trilogy, and Steel Gear Strong 4: Weapons of the Patriots.

One of many largest surprises for me, although, was simply how straightforward it nonetheless is to purchase PS3 games — even in 2026. Each new and used titles are on the market, they usually’re not loopy costly both.

So, should you’re serious about choosing up a PS3 — or if you have already got one and need to begin constructing your assortment once more — discovering the video games you need is less complicated than you would possibly anticipate. And with sport costs lately skyrocketing ( you, $80 Change 2 titles), an affordable journey down reminiscence lane is perhaps precisely what you want. Here is how I began constructing my very own PS3 assortment from scratch and the way you are able to do the identical.

There are a couple of completely different locations I am going to

You may get video games from an area sport retailer and even brand-new ones from Amazon

The primary place I tracked down PS3 video games was at my native retro sport retailer. From my expertise, there are tons of retro sport shops within the US, Canada, and the UK (and different international locations, I am positive), so should you’re seeking to get your palms on each a console and a few video games simply, this can be a great way to take action and help native companies. If you do not know if there are any shops round you, a fast Google search ought to level you in the best path, as that is how I discovered the shop I go to regularly to get PS3 video games.

After all, there are downsides to native sport shops, one being that stock drastically varies, as a variety of these shops depend upon trade-ins, so it may not all the time be the simplest place to seek out the precise video games you are in search of, particularly if it is a title that occurs to be extra in-demand or uncommon. Additionally, price can range, too, so maintain that in thoughts.

The second place I have been capable of reliably get video games from is none aside from Amazon itself. I’ve not too long ago began enjoying via all of the Steel Gear Strong video games, and after I was in search of a duplicate of MGS4: Weapons of the Patriots, Amazon was the simplest and least expensive place to seek out it. I used to be capable of get a sealed, brand-new copy for simply $20 (it wasn’t offered by Amazon, simply shipped by Amazon). Not each PS3 sport is obtainable on Amazon these days, however there are tons you will discover new for cheap costs, such because the Ratchet & Clank Collection, the Jak & Daxter Collection, Red Dead Redemption, Borderlands 2, and The Sly Collection, so it is value a glance to see if there are video games of curiosity to you on Amazon at costs you are okay with.

One other place I usually test for PS3 video games is eBay. I normally flip to eBay after I’m trying to find harder-to-find titles, since there is a good likelihood somebody someplace is making an attempt to promote a duplicate. Moreover, I have never personally used it, however a couple of of my pals have additionally had luck discovering low-cost used PS3 video games on Fb Market — although your mileage will range relying on what’s out there in your space.

PS3 PlayStation Retailer

You’ll be able to nonetheless purchase PS3 video games digitially

One actually superior factor about proudly owning a PS3 in 2026 is that the PlayStation Retailer remains to be surprisingly up and operating. Not like Microsoft, which shut down the Xbox 360 Market in 2024, Sony has stored the PS3 PlayStation Retailer alive, and you’ll nonetheless purchase video games and DLC digitally.

If you happen to’re centered on constructing a bodily assortment, the web retailer will not be fairly as helpful. However for video games I do not actually care about proudly owning a bodily copy of, it has been an ideal useful resource. With the ability to purchase a sport and begin enjoying it the identical day can be an enormous plus.

One sport I not too long ago picked up this manner was Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith. It was initially launched on PS2, however it’s additionally out there on PS3 via the PlayStation Retailer, so I jumped on the likelihood to replay it.

Not each PS3 sport is obtainable digitally, however there are nonetheless loads of strong choices, together with The Sly Assortment, LittleBigPlanet, Murderer’s Creed, God of Conflict HD, Pink Lifeless Redemption, and Grand Theft Auto 4.

There’s one caveat value mentioning, although. To purchase video games on the PS3 PlayStation Retailer, you first have so as to add funds to your PlayStation account via the PlayStation Store website, since you’ll be able to not use a bank card immediately on the console. I am undecided why it really works this manner — it simply does. Nonetheless, if that is the value of with the ability to maintain shopping for PS3 video games digitally in 2026, I can reside with it.

General, should you’re serious about enjoying the PS3 once more in 2026 (or for the primary time) and constructing a sport library, you’ve got acquired a number of choices, every with its personal professionals and cons. Personally, I all the time begin with my native retro sport retailer, then test Amazon, and use the PS3 PlayStation Retailer as a final resort if what I am in search of is there.