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

Whereas many nice video games have been launched to date this yr, corresponding to Clair Obscure: Expedition 33, Demise Stranding 2: On the Seashore, and Donkey Kong Bananza, I’ve not too long ago 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 totally missed out on all the good video games the PS3 needed to supply, corresponding to Uncharted, Demon Souls, and Steel Gear Stable. So, when the PS3 received a system update earlier this yr, regardless of being practically 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 every part 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 a couple of completely different choices, with every providing completely different trade-offs. Here 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. Should 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 may 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 could have a better worth 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 in the event you run into any points. Contemplating the PS3 is approaching 20 years previous, there are probably points that might come up with any given console, so the added peace of thoughts could also be value 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 searching for a PS3 myself, I selected to purchase one from my native retro sport retailer. The worth was really 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 had 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 capable of help an area enterprise, however I additionally bought deal and a guaranty.

After all, a significant 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 perhaps stunned how shut some retro shops are to you. Should 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 supply any guarantee. 30-day or 60-day warranties are preferable.

On-line marketplaces are nonetheless a viable possibility

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

Should you’re on the hunt for the bottom worth potential and are not overly involved about warranties, shopping for a PS3 from a web-based market like eBay or Fb Market might be value contemplating over native shops.

On the time of writing, there are millions of listings for the PS3 on eBay, with costs various extensively relying on the kind of PS3, cupboard space, 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 had 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 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 difficulty arises.

Should you resolve to go down a route like Fb Market, it is all the time finest to ask the vendor beforehand in the event you can check the console shortly whenever you choose it as much as see if it boots and hundreds up a sport okay.

There are three PS3 fashions

The PS3 Slim is the commonest

If you’re PS3 fashions on-line, you will doubtless additionally discover that the look and design of the console could differ from itemizing to itemizing. It is because Sony launched three important 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 typically. That is the PS3 I opted for, just because it was on sale for one of the best worth and supplied essentially the most storage, at 320GB. The Tremendous Slim PS3 can also 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. Nevertheless, one in all its benefits is that it is backwards appropriate with PS2 video games, whereas the PS3 Slim and PS3 Tremendous Slim are usually not. That mentioned, the unique PS3, launched in 2006, can also be the rarest, and a few items did endure from overheating points, making it a riskier and probably dearer purchase.

Based mostly on my expertise, I like to recommend the PS3 Slim, as there are such a lot of obtainable, and you’ll doubtless get one of the best deal for a PS3 with this mannequin. Whereas it is helpful that the unique “Fats” PS3 can play PS2 video games, I do not suppose it is value the additional value and danger related to it. Should you actually wish to play PS2 video games, you could possibly all the time choose up an affordable 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 in all probability 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 corresponding to receiving a console that may not work or missing guarantee. When selecting the kind of PS3, the PS3 Slim and Tremendous Slim are usually the best to search out and usually essentially the most inexpensive.