I purchased a PS3 in 2025 and this is ho...

Whereas many nice video games have been launched to this point this yr, comparable to Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, Dying Stranding 2: On the Seaside, and Donkey Kong Bananza, I’ve lately discovered myself regularly going again to play older video games on the PlayStation 3 (PS3).

Why, you might ask? Again within the late 2000s, I initially had an Xbox 360, so I totally missed out on all the good video games the PS3 needed to provide, comparable to Uncharted, Demon Souls, and Metallic Gear Strong. So, when the PS3 received a system update earlier this yr, regardless of being almost 20 years outdated, it sparked a renewed curiosity within the console for me, which made me notice I lastly want to select one up and expertise every thing I missed out on.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’ll be able to merely stroll into any retailer and purchase these days. If you wish to purchase a PS3 in 2025, it is not tough, however there are just a few totally different choices, with every providing totally different trade-offs. This is how one can get your arms on a PS3 in 2025.

GameStop Retro and native recreation shops are the best choices

You will get a console that you realize works, and is more likely 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 yr, GameStop started converting some of its US locations to GameStop Retro shops, which concentrate on 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’ll be able to choose it up in-store if a GameStop Retro has it close to you.

Whereas GameStop Retro could have the next value than, say, utilizing a website 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 implies it may be returned in the event 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 Contemplating the PS3 is approaching 20 years outdated, there are doubtlessly points that might come up with any given console, so the added peace of thoughts could also be value it to you.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 the most effective. Once I was in search of a PS3 myself, I selected to purchase one from my native retro recreation retailer. The worth was really decrease than at GameStop, they usually provided a 30-day guarantee in case something went fallacious with the console. All of the consoles my native recreation retailer bought had been additionally refurbished, cleaned, and examined in-house, so I knew the PS3 I used to be shopping for would really work. So not solely was I in a position to help a neighborhood enterprise, however I additionally bought an excellent deal and a guaranty.

After all, a serious caveat right here is definitely having a neighborhood retro recreation retailer close by. I discovered one close to me that I did not even know existed simply by Googling “retro recreation retailer close to me.” Who is aware of, you could be stunned how shut some retro shops are to you. In the event you discover one, I like to recommend testing their insurance policies to learn the way 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 possibility

Yow will discover the most effective costs on websites like eBay and Fb Market

In the event you’re on the hunt for the bottom value doable 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 millions 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 most important danger related to shopping for a console from Fb Market, eBay, Craigslist, or another on-line market is that there is no such thing as a guarantee, and if one thing goes fallacious with the console, you might 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 finest to ask the vendor beforehand in the event you can take a look at the console shortly once you choose it as much as see if it boots and hundreds up a recreation okay.

There are three PS3 fashions

The PS3 Slim is the commonest

If you’re PS3 fashions on-line, you may possible additionally discover that the look and design of the console could fluctuate from itemizing to itemizing. It is because Sony launched three primary 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 usually. That is the PS3 I opted for, just because it was on sale for the most effective value and provided probably the most storage, at 320GB. The Tremendous Slim PS3 can be fairly frequent 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 title implies, it’s a bigger model in comparison with the PS3 Slim and Tremendous Slim. Nonetheless, certainly one of its benefits is that it is backwards suitable with PS2 video games, whereas the PS3 Slim and PS3 Tremendous Slim usually are not. 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 dearer purchase.

Based mostly on my expertise, I like to recommend the PS3 Slim, as there are such a lot of obtainable, and you’ll possible get the most effective deal for a PS3 with this mannequin. Whereas it is useful that the unique “Fats” PS3 can play PS2 video games, I do not suppose it is value the additional value and danger related to it. In the event you actually wish to play PS2 video games, you can at all times choose up an inexpensive PS2 or check out emulation.

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