Dig into a massive library of hit games and huge franchises for the PlayStation 3
Riding on a huge wave of success in the wake of the PlayStation 2, Sony initially stumbled out of the gate when it released the PlayStation 3 console. A few poor decisions at launch allowed the competition to gain back much of the market share Sony had secured during the PlayStation 2 generation. Still, with hard work and dedication, Sony managed to recover and turn the PlayStation 3 console into a massive success, largely due to a library of huge PlayStation 3 exclusive titles such as the Uncharted franchise, The LittleBigPlanet series, and The Last of Us.
Genres of PlayStation 3 games
The PlayStation 3 library spans every popular genre in gaming. Here are a few of the most popular categories of games.
Action/Adventure
Action/Adventure games are typically third-person experiences with a strong focus on combat and exploration. Sony really dominated much of the PlayStation 3 generation with big-selling exclusive action/adventure titles. This included four new games from Naughty Dog Studios—Uncharted, Uncharted 2, Uncharted 3, and The Last of Us. Not to mention another new IP in the form of the Infamous franchise, as well as a new God of War game in God of War III.
First-person shooters (FPS)
FPS has quickly become the most dominant genre in gaming, and the PlayStation 3 has been right there on the front line of the FPS revolution. These games revolve around well-crafted gunplay from a first-person perspective. Major FPS franchises with multiple entries on the PlayStation 3 include Call of Duty, Borderlands, Bioshock, and Far Cry.
Role-playing games (RPGs)
Traditional RPG’s tend to feature character-driven stories in an open and immersive world. They often take place in a fantasy setting, and include elements of inventory management, character levelling, and open-world exploration. The PlayStation 3 is known for being home to both “Western” RPGs such as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 3 as well as “Japanese” or “JRPGs” such as Persona 5 and Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.
Sports/Racing
Sports and Racing titles are among the most popular games for PlayStation 3. Everyone is familiar with sports such as football, hockey, basketball, and motorsports outside of video games, which make them easy for players to pick up. Sony’s Gran Turismo franchise is considered one of the premier racing sim experiences. The PlayStation 3 is also not only home to major sports franchises such as Madden (football), NHL (hockey), and FIFA (soccer/football), but it even has its own exclusive MLB (baseball) franchise with The Show, which is developed by its own internal Sony San Diego Studio.
Strategy/Puzzle
Strategy/Puzzle games are best suited for players who enjoy problem solving and analytical thinking. There are real-time strategy games such as Plants vs. Zombies, turn-based strategy and simulation experiences such as Civilization Revolution, or even simple, relaxing puzzle games such as Tetris or Peggle.
Platformer/Arcade
Platformers and arcade titles on the PlayStation 3 often build on the side-scrolling action of earlier video games in new and modern ways. Sony developed its own massively successful exclusive platforming franchise for PlayStation 3 with the LittleBigPlanet series, which also encouraged players to build and share their own user-created levels. Other critically acclaimed platformer/arcade titles for PlayStation 3 include Braid, Rayman Legends, and The Puppeteer.
Backwards compatibility with PlayStation 4
Currently the only way to play PlayStation 3 games on the PlayStation 4 console is through Sony’s streaming service, PlayStation Now. With a subscription to PlayStation Now, players can stream a pre-determined selection of PlayStation 3 games (as well as PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 4 games) directly through their PlayStation 4 console or PC. To date Sony has not made any announcements or commitment to make PlayStation 3 discs or digital purchases compatible with the PlayStation 4 console.
Games for the whole family
The PlayStation 3 library features a huge selection of games that are appropriate for all ages, including many that have co-operative and multiplayer experiences. The LEGO franchise is a perfect example of kid-friendly games where co-op gameplay means siblings and friends can get in on the action together. There are also a host of licensed games from companies like Disney and Pixar that feature all your favourite characters from the biggest cartoons and animated films.
PlayStation games and consoles on sale
One of the best reasons to consider the PlayStation 3 library of games today is their price and accessibility. With a massive selection of games to choose from, it’s so easy to go back and pick out the highlights of the PlayStation 3’s lifetime—and since these are no longer new releases, you can pick up so many more titles for a much smaller investment. Players may even want to consider picking up new PlayStation 3 hardware just to experience the now-historic back catalogue of PlayStation 3 games available.