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

Whereas many nice video games have been launched to date this yr, akin to Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, Loss of life Stranding 2: On the Seashore, and Donkey Kong Bananza, I’ve lately discovered myself frequently going again to play older video games on the PlayStation 3 (PS3).

Why, chances are you’ll ask? Again within the late 2000s, I initially had an Xbox 360, so I solely missed out on all the nice video games the PS3 needed to provide, akin to Uncharted, Demon Souls, and Metallic Gear Stable. So, when the PS3 received a system update earlier this yr, regardless of being almost 20 years previous, it sparked a renewed curiosity within the console for me, which made me notice I lastly want to select one up and expertise the whole lot 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 mentioned, with the PS3 having been launched initially in 2006, it’s now not a console you possibly can 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 a couple of completely different choices, with every providing completely different trade-offs. Here is how one can get your fingers on a PS3 in 2025.

GameStop Retro and native sport shops are the only choices

You may get a console that you understand works, and is prone 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 yr, GameStop started converting some of its US locations to GameStop Retro shops, which deal with promoting older consoles and video games. You’ll be able to view their choice of pre-owned PS3s on-line, and have it shipped proper to your entrance door, or you possibly can decide it up in-store if a GameStop Retro has it close to you.

Whereas GameStop Retro might have a better 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 implies it may be returned in the event you run into any points. Contemplating the PS3 is approaching 20 years previous, 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 mentioned, GameStop Retro is not the one choice to get a PS3 in 2025, neither is it essentially the perfect. After I was in search of 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 supplied a 30-day guarantee in case something went incorrect with the console. All of the consoles my native sport retailer offered 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 a neighborhood enterprise, however I additionally received deal and a guaranty.

After all, a significant caveat right here is definitely having a neighborhood 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 may be shocked how shut some retro shops are to you. In case you discover one, I like to recommend trying out their insurance policies to find out how 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

You will discover the perfect costs on websites like eBay and Fb Market

In case you’re on the hunt for the bottom value attainable 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 literally thousands of listings for the PS3 on eBay, with costs various broadly relying on the kind of PS3, space for storing, 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 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 incorrect with the console, chances are 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 all the time finest to ask the vendor beforehand in the event you can take a look at the console rapidly whenever 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

While you’re taking a look at PS3 fashions on-line, you will probably additionally discover that the look and design of the console might range from itemizing to itemizing. It’s because Sony launched three essential 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 will see essentially the most usually. That is the PS3 I opted for, just because it was on sale for the perfect value and supplied essentially the most storage, at 320GB. The Tremendous Slim PS3 can be fairly widespread and essentially 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, one among its benefits is that it is backwards suitable with PS2 video games, whereas the PS3 Slim and PS3 Tremendous Slim will not be. That mentioned, the unique PS3, launched in 2006, can be the rarest, and a few items did undergo from overheating points, making it a riskier and doubtlessly costlier purchase.

Based mostly on my expertise, I like to recommend the PS3 Slim, as there are such a lot of out there, and you may probably get the perfect deal for a PS3 with this mannequin. Whereas it is helpful that the unique “Fats” PS3 can play PS2 video games, I do not assume it is price the additional price and danger related to it. In case you actually wish to play PS2 video games, you can all the time decide 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 sport 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 perfect offers, however they arrive with dangers akin to 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 search out and sometimes essentially the most reasonably priced.