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

Again within the late 2000s, I selected an Xbox 360 over a PS3, principally as a result of all my mates had been getting 360s and I wished to play Halo 3 with them. After that, I skipped the following two Xbox generations in favor of the PS4 and PS5, due to video games like Spider-Man and God of Struggle. However even all these years later, I nonetheless regretted by no means proudly owning a PS3. So final 12 months, 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 incredible for revisiting classics I by no means bought to play of their authentic type, like The Sly Cooper Assortment, the Uncharted trilogy, and Metallic Gear Strong 4: Weapons of the Patriots.

One of many greatest 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, and so they’re not loopy costly both.

So, if you happen to’re excited about choosing up a PS3 — or if you have already got one and wish to begin constructing your assortment once more — discovering the video games you need is less complicated than you would possibly count on. And with sport costs today skyrocketing (taking a look at you, $80 Change 2 titles), an inexpensive journey down reminiscence lane may be 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 totally different locations I’m going to

You will get video games from a neighborhood 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 certain), so if you happen to’re trying to get your fingers on each a console and a few video games simply, it is a great way to take action and assist native companies. If you do not know if there are any shops round you, a fast Google search ought to level you in the fitting route, as that is how I discovered the shop I go to incessantly to get PS3 video games.

After all, there are downsides to native sport shops, one being that stock tremendously varies, as a whole lot of these shops rely upon trade-ins, so it won’t all the time be the best place to seek out the precise video games you are searching for, particularly if it is a title that occurs to be extra in-demand or uncommon. Additionally, value can differ, too, so preserve that in thoughts.

The second place I have been capable of reliably get video games from is none apart from Amazon itself. I’ve lately began taking part in by way of all of the Metallic Gear Strong video games, and once I was searching for a replica of MGS4: Weapons of the Patriots, Amazon was the best and most cost-effective 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 accessible on Amazon these days, however there are tons yow 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 price 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 typically examine for PS3 video games is eBay. I normally flip to eBay once I’m trying to find harder-to-find titles, since there is a good probability somebody someplace is making an attempt to promote a replica. Moreover, I have not personally used it, however a couple of of my mates have additionally had luck discovering low cost used PS3 video games on Fb Market — although your mileage will differ 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 continues to be surprisingly up and working. In contrast to 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 a fantastic useful resource. Having the ability to purchase a sport and begin taking part in it the identical day can be a giant plus.

One sport I lately 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 by way of the PlayStation Retailer, so I jumped on the probability to replay it.

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

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

Total, if you happen to’re excited about taking part in the PS3 once more in 2026 (or for the primary time) and constructing a sport library, you’ve got bought a number of choices, every with its personal execs and cons. Personally, I all the time begin with my native retro sport retailer, then examine Amazon, and use the PS3 PlayStation Retailer as a final resort if what I am searching for is there.