The PlayStation 3 had a rough start. The price was high, and there weren’t all that many great games compared to the best Xbox 360 games. However, Sony stuck with it and eventually managed to turn things around, leading to one of the most important generations in terms of new IP. Since that time, video game graphics and gameplay have only gotten more realistic with the best PS4 games and even better with the best PS5 games.
Despite all the advancements and new consoles, you may sometimes be in the mood to revisit some of your favorite games that you played as a kid or teenager. Sifting through all the old PS3 games can feel overwhelming, but if you’re trying to figure out which games are still worth your time, we’ve compiled a list of recommendations. We’ve also gathered a list of the best PS1 games and best PS2 games for the sake of nostalgia.
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Action
Grand Theft Auto V
90%
Platforms
PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S
Release
June15, 2022
The latest installment of Grand Theft Auto, at least until we get GTA 6 and it takes its place as the best GTA game, is a benchmark in terms of open-world design and narrative. The gorgeous, bustling streets and back roads of Los Santos are chock-full of stuff to do, while the title’s unprecedented three-protagonist system propels you through a gripping story lined with superb, multilayered heists and unforgettable sequences that owe as much to the voice acting as they do the tight vehicular handling. There are even quite a few Grand Theft Auto mods you can use to make it one of the best PC games.
Red Dead Redemption
89%
Platforms
PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Rockstar North, Rockstar San Diego
Publisher
Rockstar Games, Take-Two Interactive
Release
May18, 2010
Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemptionremains the undisputed sleeper hit of 2010. It’s essentially a GTA title set in the Wild West and built on all manners of Western cliches. The deserted region you traverse as former outlaw John Marston is vast, peppered with memorable characters and a variety of optional activities, including everything from racing and roping to poker and hunting. The accompanying story and its melange of staggered climaxes are just as sublime, so much so that you often forget there’s an entire multiplayer component with a host of classic options to explore.
Red Dead Redemption Debut Trailer
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
88%
Platforms
PlayStation 3
Genre
Shooter, Tactical, Adventure
Developer
Kojima Productions
Publisher
Konami
Release
June12, 2008
Playing as going-on-senior-citizen Solid Snake could have easily been a disaster, but Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots took the series in a brilliant direction with the use of gadgets like the camouflage suit, a buddy robot, and the innovative Psyche Meter. From a technical perspective, MGS4 was one of the best Metal Gear games, from visuals to gameplay to cinematics.
The story, like the games in the series before it, twisted and turned and amused and befuddled. With a movie-length cutscene sequence at the end, MGS4 ended with a startling bang. MGS4 was a more than worthy addition into the Metal Gear library and is commonly viewed as one of the greatest stealth games of all time.
METAL GEAR SOLID 4 trailer E3 2006
Dark Souls
87%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
FromSoftware
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment
Release
September22, 2011
The Souls series gained a reputation as the standard for challenging games. Demon Souls kicked off the From Software series, but it was Dark Souls that brought the punishing franchise to the mainstream, and for good reason. Though Dark Souls is an open-world game with a dizzying number of tangents and secrets, it can be aptly described as an epic boss rush.
You had to master the methodical combat and learn the tendencies of its diabolical bosses to come out on top. Even early bosses felt like an immense hurdle, which made each victory sweeter than the last. Dark Souls is also known for its bugs and inconsistencies. Rather than diminishing the experience, however, the strange occurrences and dips in performances contributed to its novel charm.
Dark Souls Prepare to Die Edition trailer - GGD
Dead Space
73%
Platforms
Android, iOS
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
IronMonkey Studios
Publisher
Electronic Arts
Release
January25, 2011
Dead Space felt like the perfect combination of horror and action. Developed by the now-defunct Visceral Games, Dead Space followed spaceship engineer Isaac Clarke’s repair mission on the USG Ishimura. Naturally, things quickly went south when Clarke realized the crew had been slaughtered and turned into terrifying creatures called Necromorphs.
Dead Space stood out for its haunting atmosphere and brilliant action gameplay that saw players dismembering the Necromorphs limb by limb with technological gadgets. With brilliant pacing and expert design, Dead Space kicked off one of the best horror game series of the era.
Dead Space Official Trailer - iPhone & iPad
Action-adventure
The Last of Us
93%
Platforms
PlayStation 3
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Naughty Dog
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment
Release
June14, 2013
Despite an unevencombat system and a lack of multiplayer content, Naughty Dog’sThe Last of Uscame away as one of the most alluring console titles of any generation. Its fantastic visual design, rich voice acting, and choice-based gameplay blend together in support of incredible, mature storytelling. The compelling relationship between Joel and Ellie as they fend for themselves in the post-apocalyptic United States is memorable, to say the least — so much so the game was quickly remastered for the PlayStation 4 and then remade for PS5. It’s truly a cinematic masterpiece.
The Last of Us - Teaser (Official)
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
89%
Platforms
PlayStation 3
Genre
Shooter, Platform, Adventure
Developer
Naughty Dog
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment
Release
October13, 2009
Uncharted 2 doesn’t really deviate from the first title in Naughty Dog’s smash series,and that’s fine by us. It once again stars world-class treasure hunter Nathan Drake and an entourage of familiar faces. Like its predecessor, it seamlessly blends platforming and shooting with a riveting storyline and deep levels of exploration. The competitive multiplayer and bundled game modes add to the fun, offering up an attractive perk system designed to keep you engaged beyond the 10-hour campaign. Now, if only the cover system worked better in tight spaces.
UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves - E3 2009 Trailer (HD)
Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag
83%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher
Ubisoft Entertainment
Release
October29, 2013
Assassin’s Creed V: Unityseemed awful, but largelybecause Black Flag was so mesmerizing. It features all the hallmarks of the series — clever stealth mechanics, high-flying acrobatics, a fluid combat system, et cetera — while introducing a vibrant open world where resounding naval combat and a dynamic progression systems put it near the top of the list of best Assassin’s Creed games. The story revolving around protagonist Edward Kenway is also fascinating, and though it’s a bit formulaic and repetitive, it somehow manages to paint a less dismal portrait of pirates and the sea-faring life than most modern media.
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag - Announcement Trailer
Batman: Arkham City
87%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, OnLive Game System, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure
Developer
Rocksteady Studios
Publisher
WB Games, DC Entertainment
Release
October18, 2011
The crime-ridden, atmospheric metropolis of Gotham has never seemed more appealing than in Arkham City. This title, thought to be the best superhero game, sees you grappling and soaring above the city as the everyone’s favorite superhero, before descending upon the streets and engaging in fast-paced combat with a bevy of notable Batman characters using your fists or a host of iconic gadgets. The story itself is lined with a vast assortment of side missions and nerdtastic lore as well and features standout voice acting from the likes of Batman staples Mark Hamill, Kevin Conroy, and others.
"No Place for a Hero" - Batman: Arkham City
The Ico & Shadow of the Colossus Collection
89%
Platforms
PlayStation 3
Genre
Simulator, Adventure
Developer
Team Ico
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment
Release
September22, 2011
Fumito Ueda’s Shadow of the Colossus was great on the PlayStation 2, sure, but it’s even better remastered on the PS3. The larger-than-life title has you playing as the game’s two heroes, Wander and his horse Argo, shuffling you through a bleak and somber landscape as you work to eradicate a host of enormous colossi and wake your fair maiden from her slumber.
The colossus fights make boss battles in any other game look small and prosaic by comparison. The short story and accompanying score are beautifully orchestrated — as are the updated visuals — but it’s the way the puzzle and action mechanics seamlessly intertwine that makes it unlike anything else.
ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection - Launch Trailer
Journey
86%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, iOS, PlayStation 4
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
ThatGameCompany
Publisher
Annapurna Interactive, Sony Computer Entertainment
Release
March13, 2012
In a nutshell, the evocative Journey is a third-person adventure in which you cross the desert as a red-robed figure on a quest toward a mountain. However, it is just as much a work of artistic expression as it is a video game, reveling in dazzling animation and a highly interpretive story that’s never clearly defined throughout the game’s short length. Nonetheless, it’s a joy to play alone or with any stranger who might wander into your game without notice. Moreover, gliding and sand surfing provides movement that’s as dynamic as the stirring music. We’ve also found the best indie games for the Ps4.
Journey™ Launch Trailer
First-person shooters
BioShock Infinite
86%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Mac
Genre
Shooter, Adventure
Developer
Irrational Games
Publisher
2K Games
Release
February26, 2013
Acclaimed game designer Ken Levine knows how to tell a great story and one of the best FPS games — take BioShock Infinite as proof. The lofted, spirited world of Columbia is a sight to behold on foot or via skyline rail. Like any good story, Infinite can also tug at your emotions through incredible voice work and a mind-blowing plot that will leave your mouth agape when the credits roll. The gameplay can be customizedtoyour preferences, too, with agratifying swath of vigors, weapons, and upgrades to make you feel like more than just a man trying to wash away the sins of his past.
BioShock Infinite Beast of America Trailer
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
84%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Mac
Genre
Shooter, Simulator
Developer
Infinity Ward
Publisher
Activision
Release
November05, 2007
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was a watershed moment for the franchise and first-person shooters in general. First, it brought the traditionally World War II shooter into the modern era with a contemporary single-player campaign that raised the bar for the genre. It remains one of the most affecting and well-crafted campaigns in shooter history. Second, it really kickstarted the Call of Duty multiplayer craze on consoles.
Thanks to finely-tuned mechanics, an addictive class-based system, and wondrously-designed maps, Modern Warfare quickly became the leading example of multiplayer shooters done right. Even more than a decade after its release, fans are still enjoying Modern Warfare thanks to a remake on current-gen consoles as one of the best Call of Duty games.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Trailer
Resistance 3
79%
Platforms
PlayStation 3
Genre
Shooter
Developer
Insomniac Games
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment
Release
September06, 2011
Developed by Insomniac Games, the Resistance series saved its best game for last. Set in a ridiculously cool alternate 1950s reality filled with grotesque aliens, every single mission managed to outdo the previous one. Fast, over-the-top combat made Resistance 3 a constant joy to play, but it was the touching story that brought the trilogy to a great conclusion.
For a science-fiction series filled with fantastical elements, Resistance 3‘s grounded tale about protecting one’s family was both surprising and moving. Though Insomniac has moved on in the years since the underrated trilogy reached its conclusion, Resistance 3 remains one of its best efforts.
Resistance 3 Campaign Trailer
Platformers
LittleBigPlanet 3
73%
Platforms
PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
Genre
Platform, Adventure
Developer
Sumo Digital
Publisher
Sony Computer Entertainment
Release
November18, 2014
The third installment of LittleBigPlanet is just as quirky and playful as any platformer Sumo Digital has released to date. It shines when it comes to the rabbit-hole of a level editor and the sheer wealth of inventive gadgets if offers, even if its ineffective tutorials and bugs cansometimes interrupt the gameplay. The game’s new characters and items also substantially change the platforming mechanics, giving you a convenient means for flying (Swoop) and scrambling up walls (Odd Sock). And who doesn’t like clean visual designand Pug costumes?
LittleBigPlanet 3 - Announcement Trailer (Official)
Puzzle games
Portal 2
92%
Platforms
Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Mac, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Shooter, Platform, Puzzle, Adventure
Developer
Valve, Valve
Publisher
Valve, Electronic Arts, Valve
Release
April18, 2011
Portal 2 is a wonder to play — that is, assuming you can look past the lengthy load times and general lack of replay value. It features a welcome array of spatial orientation puzzles centered around the portal gun, much like its short predecessor, and includes both a story-driven single-player and a less story-driven two-player mode that is one of the best co-op games you can find.
Either way, the puzzles are more sophisticated and the characters more entertaining than before, the latter of which owes much to the game’s clever writing and Valve’s ability to bring a surprising human element to its cast of spherical robots and ghostly voices, featuring fantastic actors like Stephen Merchant and J.K. Simmons. All-in-all, it sits as one of the best puzzle games of all time.
Portal 2 Coop Trailer HD
Role-playing games
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
86%
Platforms
PlayStation 3, Nintendo Switch
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
LEVEL-5
Publisher
LEVEL-5, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Namco Bandai Games
Release
November17, 2011
The charming Ni no Kuni is a pleasure, described by some as Chrono Trigger crossed withPokémon, in the style of Studio Ghibli, who worked on the game’s animation. It’s a sweeping cartoon adventure revolving around a simple boy named Oliver, who sets out to become a wizard in the hopes of toppling evil and saving his recently departed mother.
The timeless world is rich and inventive, whether it’s the talking scenarios, enemies, characters, or the surrounding locales. And the heartfelt themes and motifs make up fortroublesome leveling mechanics. Drippy is also one of the best fairy sidekicks you ask for, on par with Ocarina of Time‘s Navi.
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Official E3 2012 Trailer
Fallout: New Vegas
87%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
Obsidian Entertainment
Publisher
Bandai Namco Entertainment, 1C/Cenega, Bethesda Softworks
Release
October19, 2010
Occasional disastrous glitches aside,New Vegas expands upon the winning formula Bethesda first forged in Fallout 3, and could be considered the best Fallout game. The role-playing game features an expansive and detailed wasteland strewn with wide-ranging quests, along with a stellar soundtrack and voice work that buoy the prevailing atmosphere to great effect. The deep and flexible leveling and reputation system, the gravity of your choices, and the innate ability to play in either first or third-person allow for a multitude of approaches, too, increasing the game’s replay value.
Fallout: New Vegas Trailer - E3 2010
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
88%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genre
Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Developer
Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher
Bethesda Softworks
Release
November10, 2011
Bethesda’s world conceived for the latest iteration of the Elder Scrolls is incredibly immersive and significant, not just in terms of its massive map and an overwhelming number of quests, but in the fascinating lore and battles themselves. It’s been almost a decade since its initial release, and people still use it as a standard for the scale of open-world RPG games.
Bethesda was smart about marketing this game—they made it accessible on all platforms so anyone can use it. Battling dragons is amazing in itself, but the game’s atmosphere and design are what puts it heads and shoulders above its predecessors. Even though it’s an older game, it’s one of the best single-player gamesout there.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim - Full Trailer
Mass Effect
86%
Platforms
PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Genre
Shooter, Role-playing (RPG)
Developer
BioWare, BioWare Edmonton
Publisher
Microsoft Game Studios, Electronic Arts
Release
November20, 2007
Mass Effect, by Bioware, is widely considered one of the best video game trilogies ever made. Our personal favorite is the original, which was one of the first choice-based role-playing games. Gamers play the game as Commander Shepard, placed in the Milky Way galaxy during the year 2183. Your goal as Shepard is just the small epic quest of saving humanity.
Mass Effect is an incredible world-building platform with excellent writing and plotting. While some newer gamers may find the first Mass Effect to be a bit slow at the start, the ending makes the wait worthwhile. This first game from Mass Effect has long sat near the top of our list of RPGs. We’re sad to say that the sequel, Mass Effect: Andromeda, doesn’t quite live up to the hype.
Mass Effect 1 Trailer
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