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

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

Why, it’s possible you’ll 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 supply, reminiscent of Uncharted, Demon Souls, and Steel Gear Stable. So, when the PS3 received a system update earlier this 12 months, regardless of being practically 20 years outdated, it sparked a renewed curiosity within the console for me, which made me notice I lastly want to select one up and expertise every little thing I missed out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 now 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 troublesome, however there are a couple of totally different choices, with every providing totally different trade-offs. Here is how one can get your palms on a PS3 in 2025.

GameStop Retro and native sport shops are the best choices

You will get a console that you already know 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 case you’re unfamiliar with it, final 12 months, 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 number of pre-owned PS3s on-line, and have it shipped proper to your entrance door, or you’ll be able to decide it up in-store if a GameStop Retro has it close to you.

Whereas GameStop Retro might have the next 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 Contemplating the PS3 is approaching 20 years outdated, there are doubtlessly points that might come up with any given console, so the added peace of thoughts could also be price it to you.

That stated, GameStop Retro is not the one choice to get a PS3 in 2025, neither is it essentially the perfect. After I was on the lookout for a PS3 myself, I selected to purchase one from my native retro sport retailer. The worth was really decrease than at GameStop, and so they provided a 30-day guarantee in case something went flawed with the console. All of the consoles my native sport retailer bought have 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 an area enterprise, however I additionally acquired deal and a guaranty.

In fact, a serious caveat right here is definitely having an area 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 stunned how shut some retro shops are to you. In case 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 supply any guarantee. 30-day or 60-day warranties are preferable.

On-line marketplaces are nonetheless a viable possibility

You’ll find the perfect costs on websites like eBay and Fb Market

In case 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 price 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. After I additionally checked Fb Market in my metropolis, I noticed a dozen or so listings that have been additionally fairly tempting and cheaper than GameStop Retro.

The most important threat related to shopping for a console from Fb Market, eBay, Craigslist, or every other on-line market is that there is no such thing as a guarantee, and if one thing goes flawed with the console, it’s possible you’ll be out of luck. Though eBay does have an “eBay Cash Again Assure” course of in case a difficulty arises.

In case you determine to go down a route like Fb Market, it is at all times greatest to ask the vendor beforehand when you can take a look at the console rapidly if you decide it as much as see if it boots and hundreds up a sport okay.

There are three PS3 fashions

The PS3 Slim is the most typical

Once you’re taking a look at PS3 fashions on-line, you may possible additionally discover that the look and design of the console might differ from itemizing to itemizing. It’s because Sony launched three fundamental 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 perfect 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 identify implies, it’s a bigger model in comparison with the PS3 Slim and Tremendous Slim. Nevertheless, one in every of 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 items did endure from overheating points, making it a riskier and doubtlessly dearer purchase.

Primarily based on my expertise, I like to recommend the PS3 Slim, as there are such a lot of accessible, and you may possible get the perfect 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 price the additional value and threat related to it. In case you actually wish to play PS2 video games, you possibly can at all times decide up an affordable 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 supply the perfect offers, however they arrive with dangers reminiscent of 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 seek out and sometimes probably the most inexpensive.