Persevering with in my sequence the place I study the collectability for PlayStation consoles in 2026 right here within the UK, it’s now time to take a look at the PS3. I’ve preciously written on the PS1 and PS2. So, with the inflow of individuals into the pastime and speedy enlargement of the retro online game market, is it nonetheless value it to gather for the PS3 in 2026? Let’s discover out!
The State Of Gaming And The PS3’s Historical past
The very first thing we have to acknowledge is the state of the retro online game market. It doesn’t fairly really feel proper to name the PlayStation 3 “retro,” however the console did launch nearly 20 years in the past, so I’ll reluctantly admit it. The overall scenario is that because of the inflow of individuals into the pastime, demand is growing. In line with commonplace financial idea, which means that market forces are growing the costs of video video games, particularly as provide dwindles.
The PlayStation 3 launched November 11, 2006. It was discontinued on Could 29, 2017. It bought 87.4 million models and is the eighth best-selling console of all time. It presently stands as Sony’s least profitable residence console. It’s definitely proof of the model’s success that the worst promoting PlayStation residence console narrowly averted 90 million gross sales. Many video games are locked to the PS3, primarily due to its bespoke cell processor. When the console was designed, it was made with an unique sort of processor that brought about challenges for builders. This has, in latest time, began to gas demand for the system. Many, like myself, had the PS3 throughout a lot of our youth. Accordingly, among the unique titles and nostalgia itself are making a heightened curiosity within the system.
Availability for the PS3 console is sort of excessive for the time being within the UK. It isn’t solely effectively stocked at most retailers and unbiased retro sport shops, but additionally fairly moderately priced. A Console can price as little as £60. Now, that definitely isn’t extremely low-cost, however the value for the system has not risen very a lot in recent times. That is more than likely influenced by its recency. It’s honest to anticipate a whole lot of value will increase within the close to future, given the developments in the remainder of the market.
Nonetheless, it might be a mistake to maneuver on with out discussing the backwards suitable PS3. That model of the console, which has {hardware} backwards compatibility, ranges from £200-£300 depending on situation. Contemplating this variant of the system has the best failure charge, the provision for this variant is sort of constrained. Additionally, the {hardware} compatibility with three generations of PlayStation makes it a desired selection for a lot of to play these retro programs on a contemporary show with a wi-fi controller. Accordingly, the system is on the entire inexpensive, however there are variants that do command a excessive value.
You will need to acknowledge that regardless of the current availability of consoles, that sooner or later this may change. As beforehand talked about, market forces will result in value rises. That is particularly so, contemplating programs will fail, be misplaced and retained by collectors. This can imply that the quantity of obtainable models will lower over time. We might presently be within the beginnings of this course of.
PS3 Software program And Video games
Now that we now have thought-about the system itself, we subsequent want to take a look at the software program. The PlayStation 3 is in a novel scenario right here due to the arrival of the PlayStation Retailer. Which means there are some digital-only titles. Moreover, as a result of licensing points, some video games are already misplaced to time. Nonetheless, for these video games with each a bodily and digital launch, it’s definitely fascinating to see how this case impacts costs. We are going to check out that later within the characteristic.
The PlayStation 3 bought round a billion models of software program, in line with Sony. There have been round 5,146 titles developed for the system, with round 2,387 accessible in PAL areas. That is really much less titles than the PS2, which had a shorter lifespan.
Now, let’s take a look on the prime 5 promoting video games on the console:
| Rank | Sport | Gross sales |
| 1 | Grand Theft Auto V | 29.52 million |
| 2 | Gran Turismo 5 | 11.95 million |
| 3 | Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception | 9 million |
| 4 | The Final of Us | 8.4 million |
| 5 | Uncharted 2: Amongst Thieves | 6.5 million |
When in comparison with different extra trendy programs, such because the PS5, it definitely appears prime heavy. The perfect-selling PS5 sport is presently Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which launched in 2023 and has 11 million gross sales. Solely two of the highest 5 beat that determine. Grand Theft Auto V, nevertheless, has an outstanding quantity of gross sales. It has an attachment charge of round a 3rd. Accordingly, while the gross sales are fairly modest general, there are at the least some titles which might promote effectively even by trendy requirements.
What this demonstrates is that in comparison with PS2, software program gross sales are decrease general. Which means once we contemplate the unfold of gross sales between areas, and there definitely exists the situations which have typically made different retro gaming libraries costly.
In the end, my argument right here is barely totally different than my earlier options. I’m arguing that costs are rising as a result of market situations, but additionally that we’re approaching a time the place costs will begin to enhance at a a lot sooner charge.
There are different components that may have an effect on this. When Sony determined to shut down the PlayStation Retailer in 2021, it began to gas an increase in costs. Nonetheless, it normalized once they later reversed that call. An identical scenario occurred with one other console of the identical technology, the Xbox 360. When the web retailer closed, costs elevated as provide was affected.
When contemplating earlier generations of consoles nevertheless, the PS3 is extraordinarily inexpensive. Compared even to the PS2, the typical costs of video games are a lot decrease. While the underlying mechanics of the market may have an have an effect on, it’s unlikely that the PS3 will attain the extent of consoles such because the Tremendous Nintendo or Mega Drive for a few years at current. Which means the console might be in direction of the top of its interval the place it’s fairly low-cost, and shifting in direction of an identical scenario to the PS2, the place it’s inexpensive, however not low-cost.
Nonetheless, there are nonetheless some video games which might be fairly costly. Godzilla is mostly the costliest sport on the console. It sells for round £290. Final yr, the sport bought for round £180. One other notable rarity is Dynasty Warriors Gundam Reborn. That sport used to promote for round £50 at first of the last decade. Now it goes for round £190. These costly titles haven’t fairly reached the heights of elusive titles for the PS1 or PS2, however they’re nonetheless undoubtedly costly.
Though, you will need to contemplate that the aforementioned titles are “excessive examples.” I calculate the going charge of my very own assortment. Contemplating the titles I’ve bought from the top of final decade to current, I’ve seen a rise of 70.84%. At first look, that sounds completely alarming. Nonetheless, we have to contemplate that the financial worth represented by this enhance is smaller than that of the extra modest proportion will increase of my PS1 and PS2 collections. What this serves to display is that this assortment is seeing massive value rises statistically as a result of it’s approaching a time the place it turns into extra scarce. After we have a look at the typical I paid for my PS3 video games, it really works out as £6.13. Thus far, the PS3 is clearly the most cost effective console to gather for that we now have thought-about.
In conclusion, it’s nonetheless value it to gather PS3 within the UK in 2026. If something, now could be the time. Market forces and value developments are indicating that a budget and accessible interval of the console available on the market is drawing to a detailed. When you’re within the incredible sport library of an general incredible system, now is a good time to leap in. It is likely one of the most cost-effective programs to gather for for the time being, nevertheless it gained’t be for lengthy.
What do you assume? What’s your prized PS3-era sport? Tell us under!
