Shopping for PS3 video games in 2026 is simpler than you suppose

Again within the late 2000s, I selected an Xbox 360 over a PS3, largely as a result of all my mates have been getting 360s and I needed to play Halo 3 with them. After that, I skipped the following two Xbox generations in favor of the PS4 and PS5, because of 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 yr, I mounted that by choosing one up from my native retro recreation 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 received 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, they usually’re not loopy costly both.

So, should you’re fascinated with 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 simpler than you may anticipate. And with recreation 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 just a few totally different locations I’m going to

You may get video games from a neighborhood recreation retailer and even brand-new ones from Amazon

The primary place I tracked down PS3 video games was at my native retro recreation retailer. From my expertise, there are tons of retro recreation shops within the US, Canada, and the UK (and different nations, I am certain), so should you’re trying to get your palms 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 correct path, as that is how I discovered the shop I go to incessantly to get PS3 video games.

After all, there are downsides to native recreation shops, one being that stock vastly varies, as a variety of these shops rely upon trade-ins, so it may not all the time be the best place to search 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, price can fluctuate, 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 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 least expensive place to search 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 recreation is out there 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 typically examine for PS3 video games is eBay. I normally flip to eBay once I’m looking for harder-to-find titles, since there is a good probability somebody someplace is making an attempt to promote a replica. Moreover, I have never personally used it, however just a few of my mates have additionally had luck discovering low cost used PS3 video games on Fb Market — although your mileage will fluctuate relying on what’s out there in your space.

PS3 PlayStation Retailer

You possibly can 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.

In the event you’re targeted 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 incredible useful resource. Having the ability to purchase a recreation and begin enjoying it the identical day can be an enormous plus.

One recreation I not too long ago picked up this fashion was Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith. It was initially launched on PS2, nevertheless 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 recreation is out there digitally, however there are nonetheless loads of stable choices, together with The Sly Assortment, LittleBigPlanet, Murderer’s Creed, God of Struggle HD, Crimson Lifeless Redemption, and Grand Theft Auto 4.

There may be 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 by way of the PlayStation Store website, since you may not use a bank card straight on the console. I am undecided why it really works this fashion — it simply does. Nonetheless, if that is the value of having the ability to maintain shopping for PS3 video games digitally in 2026, I can stay with it.

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