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

Whereas many nice video games have been launched thus far this yr, akin to Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, Demise Stranding 2: On the Seashore, and Donkey Kong Bananza, I’ve just lately discovered myself regularly 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 fully missed out on all the good video games the PS3 needed to supply, 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 So, when the PS3 received a system update earlier this yr, regardless of being almost 20 years outdated, it sparked a renewed curiosity within the console for me, which made me notice I lastly want to select one up and expertise all the things I missed out on.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 may merely stroll into any retailer and purchase these days. If you wish to purchase a PS3 in 2025, it isn’t troublesome, however there are just a few totally different choices, with every providing totally different trade-offs. This is how one can get your palms on a PS3 in 2025.

GameStop Retro and native sport shops are the only choices

You may get a console that you recognize works, and is more likely to include a guaranty

One of many best methods to purchase a PS3 in 2025 is thru GameStop Retro. If you happen to’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’ll be able to view their collection of pre-owned PS3s on-line, and have it shipped proper to your entrance door, or you may choose it up in-store if a GameStop Retro has it close to you.

Whereas GameStop Retro might have the next worth 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 Contemplating the PS3 is approaching 20 years outdated, there are probably points that would come up with any given console, so the added peace of thoughts could also be price it to you.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 one of the best. Once I was on the lookout for a PS3 myself, I selected to purchase one from my native retro sport retailer. The worth was truly decrease than at GameStop, they usually supplied a 30-day guarantee in case something went improper 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 truly work. So not solely was I in a position to help an area enterprise, however I additionally acquired a superb 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. If you happen to 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 choice

Yow will discover one of the best costs on websites like eBay and Fb Market

If you happen to’re on the hunt for the bottom worth doable and are not overly involved about warranties, shopping for a PS3 from an internet 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. Once 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 another on-line market is that there is no such thing as a guarantee, and if one thing goes improper 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 problem arises.

If you happen to determine to go down a route like Fb Market, it is all the time greatest to ask the vendor beforehand in the event you can check the console rapidly whenever you choose it as much as see if it boots and masses up a sport okay.

There are three PS3 fashions

The PS3 Slim is the most typical

Whenever you’re PS3 fashions on-line, you may probably additionally discover that the look and design of the console might fluctuate from itemizing to itemizing. It is because Sony launched three foremost 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 one of the best worth and supplied probably the most storage, at 320GB. The Tremendous Slim PS3 can also be fairly widespread 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. Nevertheless, one in every of its benefits is that it is backwards appropriate with PS2 video games, whereas the PS3 Slim and PS3 Tremendous Slim will not be. That mentioned, the unique PS3, launched in 2006, can also be the rarest, and a few models did endure from overheating points, making it a riskier and probably dearer purchase.

Primarily based on my expertise, I like to recommend the PS3 Slim, as there are such a lot of obtainable, and you may probably get one of the best 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. If you happen to actually wish to play PS2 video games, you might all the time 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 sport shops are most likely the most secure and most handy choices for most individuals. On-line marketplaces like eBay and Fb Market can supply one of the best offers, however they arrive with dangers akin to receiving a console which may not work or missing guarantee. When selecting the kind of PS3, the PS3 Slim and Tremendous Slim are usually the best to seek out and usually probably the most reasonably priced.