The best ps3 games of all time as a virtual roadmap for the course of modern gaming. The console stumbled out of the gate, but once developers found their footing on this remarkably powerful system, they began delivering true classics.
The PS3: that’s where Sony Interactive Entertainment cemented its place as the home of modern blockbusters, hatched the Soulslike and gave smaller adventures a new dimension. Let’s face it: without it, we wouldn’t have half the exciting new titles coming out for the PS5 or our more fancy new consoles like the PS5 Pro.
Not only was the PS3 influential, but you can still play a few of its games via the cloud PS5-there’s a list you’ll want to check as part of the PS Plus Premium games, to see what’s available. Put simply, there’s no shortage of fantastic experiences here. So keep reading to find our pick of the 25 best PS3 games of all time!
1. Heavy Rain
Developer: Quantic Dream
Released: 2010
In simple terms, Heavy Rain is one of the best mystery games the generation has ever seen. Heavy Rain is a slow-burn whodunnit delivered by Quantic Dream, and its focus lies within the smart character-building in an incredibly atmospheric world. Indeed, it’s an adventurous journey using mere points of interaction to nudge several characters through an intertwining narrative.
It’s shocking, sad, and at times compassionate – an experience where it truly does feel like you hold the outcome of the story in your hands. Whether you played it in 2010 or are thinking of going back today, Heavy Rain remains one of the most important PS3 games ever made.
It’s shocking, sad, and at times compassionate – an experience where it truly does feel like you hold the outcome of the story in your hands. Whether you played it in 2010 or are thinking of going back today, Heavy Rain remains one of the most important PS3 games ever made.
2. LittleBigPlanet 2
Developer: Media Molecule
Released: 2011
Perhaps apart from Minecraft, no other console game instills its players with creative souls like LittleBigPlanet 2. User-content-creation tools in the first game were the revolution of the concept of player freedom, and the sequel not only refines these choices but opens them up to the possibilities of letting you – yes, you – create not only fresh levels but whole new stories, worlds, and even games. And the stuff that the community has made is unbelievable.
LittleBigPlanet 2 does without such advanced platforming as the Marios and Raymans of this world (it’s still a barrel of laughs, though), but to judge the game on these terms is as blinkered as dismissing War and Peace because you don’t like the font it’s printed in. This is one of the most important, relevant, and fun games on any PlayStation.
3. Hotline Miami
Developer: Dennaton Games
Released: 2013
Hotline Miami is that video game your parents warned you about when you were a kid in the 1980s, this game was out of an alternate universe where Reagan became Forever President and The Running Man was a show you could watch on television. Basic itch really; this is a stylish surrealist experience you are going to remember for the rest of your gaming days, with one of the best video game soundtracks around, so get ready for tunes.
Stalk one of dozens of pixelated murder carnivals as a rubber animal mask-clad killing machine, slaughtering every poor mook in sight as background colors flush in time with that way-too-cool-for-you synth-wave soundtrack in Hotline Miami. Raw, punk fury, it’s a mesmerizing display of hyperviolence a step away from pure, unadulterated anarchy. Just don’t tell your parents.
4. Batman: Arkham City
Developer: Rocksteady Games
Released: 2011
What does one do to make the greatest superhero game ever made even better? Add a whole lot more of it, and drop all of that into one of the best realized open-world cities ever seen in a game. Chastely choosing fidelity, personality, and meaningful design over sheer scale for scale’s sake, Rocksteady’s quarantined chunk of Gotham is one of the most striking, affecting, and altogether purposeful environments seen in an entire generation.
Letting the empowering yet perfectly balanced mechanics of the first game fly, literally and figuratively, Arkham City’s structure is an equally grand victory in both gameplay and aesthetic terms.
5. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Developer: Eidos Montreal
Released: 2011
It should have been a near-certain failure. It should never have been attempted. It should have been some neutered, watered-down, lite-RPG cyberpunk shooter with a familiar name slapped on. And yet Eidos Montreal’s Deus Ex: Human Revolution is the real deal layered, complex, entirely player-driven action RPG with freedom, creative thinking, and choice at the center of its every element.
In effect, whatever game you might want it to be, it’s all the more remarkable that DE: HR manages so much customization of experience with such cohesion. Its dense story of conspiracy and philosophical tension – both global and personal – will drag you along whatever you choose your character’s stance to be, and the cohesive, lived-in nature of its world-building is without peer.
6. Burnout Paradise
Developer: Criterion Games
Released: 2008
When Burnout Paradise arrived, the conventional wisdom was that multiplatform games were always better on the Xbox 360. Criterion, meanwhile, had shown unparalleled excellence on the PlayStation 2 and produced a masterpiece with PS3’s Burnout Paradise-it looks amazing to this day.
This game redrew the Burnout franchise, offering expansive open-world city paired with breathtaking countryside, making it one of the best games ever created in the racing genre. It’s so meticulous; mastering the handbrake turn into a parking space-complete with grading-to the thrilling run down the mountain and landing perfectly without wrecking your car-it’s all over thrill.
The downloadable content also successfully addressed the small, pesky annoyances that existed when the game initially released, making it a holy haven for fans of the Burnout series. And of course, fantastic soundtrack consists of high-speed action that makes the whole experience unforgettable.
7. Resistance 3
Developer: Insomniac Games
Released: 2011
While the Resistance franchise changed from a respectable launch title for the life of the PS3 to an underwhelming sequel and ultimately ended in an FPS masterpiece, it is undeniably unfortunate that it concluded with Resistance 3, the highest point in the series. R3 has undeniable brilliance. This game is set apart by its alternate-reality ’50s setting, combined with exhilarating, innovative alien weaponry and a deeply moving narrative centered around a father’s determination to protect his family.
Every chapter is masterfully done, with few, if any, weak spots and the combat is every bit as fluid and enjoyable as ever. In the very instant, you are sure you have the game down pat, the storyline brings some surprises that force you to alter your plans and appreciate the game’s unthinkable range even more. You’ll be able to warmly welcome your way to the thrilling ending of Joe Capelli’s touching yet uplifting story.
8. Yakuza 5
Developer: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio
Released: 2012
While many games lay claim to big, very few can hold a candle to the sheer scope of entertaining and bizarre activities contained in the greatest Yakuza games. Yakuza 5 skillfully integrates a somber storyline centered around the criminal underbelly of Japan with electrifying action: evil characters and heroic figures who leap into extreme hand-to-hand combat. It is much more than just a brawler; it also delivers an exhilarating taxi-driving experience, thrilling hunting adventures, and a full-packed pop idol simulation complete with electrifying dance battles.
Besides the storyline, Yakuza 5 is full of exciting minigames, ranging from baseball, and cooking ramen, to stand-up comedy. The arcade sector contains near-complete versions of such classics as Virtua Fighter 2 and much, much more. Each activity in this game is masterly designed to attract players, so Yakuza 5 proves to be a dazzling fusion of grim crime drama and outrageous fun. Far from being the most easily accessible source of entrainment for new readers, it unmistakably delivers an impressive range of content that ensures entertainment for whoever happens to take it in.
9. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Developer: Infinity Ward
Released: 2007
Modern Warfare marks a defining point in the history of video games. It successfully revitalized the FPS genre and matured the Call of Duty franchise from a generic shooter to an established title. Not only did this game set new standards for multiplayer, but it also offered a reasonably engrossing 8-hour narrative experience rarely equaled to this day. Certain key moments, for instance, the ghillie suit stage, the opening scenes on the tanker, and the powerful conclusion make it a memorable one. However, its quality and appeal have proven to be long-lived.
While later installments in the Call of Duty series try their best to grow from the ground level that Modern Warfare built by solely focusing more on elaborately dramatic action sequences, this stands out for its focus on streamlined and focused entertainment. It provides a smooth FPS experience that continues to outshine others, making it stand as one of the most respected online games in the history of the medium.
10. Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Developer: Kojima Productions
Released: 2008
Where Old Snake is concerned, there isn’t much physical decline, but he can still showcase his considerable abilities. Metal Gear Solid 4 remains a technological showpiece for the PlayStation 3 and stands as one of the greatest stealth games ever, similar to when Metal Gear Solid 2 was for the PlayStation 2. Most importantly, it does use new technology to fully improve the gameplay mechanics. Above all, the camouflage suit is perhaps an interesting feature and a very practical one in the highly intense stealth scenarios found throughout the game.
While some would likely complain that Hideo Kojima and his team told too complex or cinematic of a story—especially regarding the length of cutscenes—there’s just no getting around the quality of the characters and bosses, as well as how the game wraps up. Keep in mind, however, that if one scene had played out the other way, the game may have been perfect. Still, it is a must-have for PlayStation 3 owners.
11. Dead Space 2
Developer: Visceral Games
Released: 2011
Few games can match the disquieting ethical dilemmas set forth by Dead Space 2. While players are driven to explore the intricately designed and hauntingly beautiful Sprawl, a sense of anxiety lurks within – with the suspicion that an evil presence is watching them. By most standards, Dead Space 2 brings the relentless scares of the first game into a more complex combat system.
Although the threats are more tangible now, the protagonist, Isaac, is far better prepared to face these challenges head-on. Even though this shift might alleviate the sense of hopelessness to some extent, it does lead to a better gaming experience in a more comprehensive way. Moreover, the Necromorphs of the sequel represent all that is grotesque, making them one of the finest video game monsters ever created, and they indeed provide some frightfully jarring moments. Dead Space 2 remains among the best horror games in the market even so.
12. Journey
Developer: ThatGameCompany
Released: 2012
No dialogue, no expository narrative, no conflict, and no potential death. Yet has any game ever lived so fully, stuffed to the gunwales with such agonized frightful low points and such elated, dizzying high points? Well, yes, but not nearly so many of them.
That game company’s Journey is a work of abstract storytelling, emotion through play, and exquisitely beautiful world-building. Free-form exploration and platform-puzzling are great, of course, but every single element of Journey-from its visuals through to its sound design to the very feel of control-is precisely designed to evoke deep and affecting meaning every step of the way. And then there’s that anonymous cooperative multiplayer, where you’ll never have felt so attached to another player in a video game. Not ever.
13. XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Developer: Firaxis Games
Released: 2012
XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a true leader of the strategy genre on PlayStation 3, marrying enthralling gameplay perfectly with impressive strategic depth. This provides a truly exceptional gaming experience that cuts through many high-profile competitors for what it boldly sets out to do-removing any need for action in real-time through turning-based mechanics. Its user-friendly design makes it accessible to newcomers to easily step into, yet simultaneously it also holds layers of complexity for those who seek to master advanced strategies following an efficient learning phase.
Though quite similar at first glance to a more traditional board game, the skirmishes and battles played out within it are carried out with amazing intensity, making for unforgettable moments equal to some major cinematic works. Players can understand the basics in a mere 20 minutes; still, the game’s intriguing nature will surely captivate them for hours on end. To summarize, XCOM: Enemy Unknown is truly an excellent title that reconfirms its title as a genre icon of strategy games.
14. Wolfenstein: The New Order
Developer: MachineGames
Released: 2014
From the very opening sequence of gameplay, it is clear that Wolfenstein: The New Order demands attention with its unrelenting intensity and transparent purpose. Not surprisingly, the series has never been complicated, and this iteration is no exception: you are BJ Blazkowicz, the greatest Nazi Hunter, and you show unmatched efficiency in your work.
What might pass off as an ordinary shooter turns out to be a story on the deeper implications of the all-time war and the socio-political burden of fascism, that is, thanks to the talented team at MachineGames – great action, combined with great storytelling. While players are going to be sucked in by the frenzy of wielding MP-40s and classical gameplay, they’ll find themselves completely immersed in this exciting narrative and always-well-developed characters. And let’s make one thing clear – fighting Nazis on the moon is a seriously epic highlight that firmly puts Wolfenstein: The New Order into the ranks of the best first-person shooters of its generation.
15. The Walking Dead
Developer: Telltale Games
Released: 2012
Although an obvious trope for horror gaming, zombies very seldom make up for lacking real scares by instead being more bore-signs to shoot at than living, breathing threats. The Walking Dead flips that script on its head by really focusing on the emotional heart that marks the truly iconic horror: great human drama against the apocalypse.
That is exceptional writing and character development, putting the player through intense moral dilemmas. Rather than presenting a road to sainthood, the game puts you in positions where you will cause as much minimum harm in a depressed reality. Every choice does have weight, leading to a game without clear heroes; it’s all survival. What makes this depth and emotional resonation so good is what makes The Walking Dead one of the greatest single-player games ever made.
16. Super Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition
Developer: Capcom
Released: 2011
There is a ton to love about Street Fighter 4. It seamlessly blends deep gameplay you can discover for ages with super-easy, pick-up-and-play controls. It’s also properly balanced, with 39 fighters, all of which feel both fair and unique.
The game has such great humor in its animation and character designs, which fit the style of each fighter. Plus, the addition of the Focus Attack and dash-cancel system gives some neat strategic layers. But honestly, what makes Street Fighter 4 shine—and it doesn’t get mentioned enough—is just how much fun it is to play. No doubt about it, it’s the best fighting game of its generation.”
17. Persona 5
Developer: Atlus
Released: 2016
Persona 5 was initially being developed as a PlayStation 3 title with a planned release date in 2015. Even though it generated much interest following its 2017 launch on the PlayStation 4, a copy of the game remains available for the PlayStation 3. The game is actually on the established molds of the previous ones but takes out the gamers and submerges them in the stylized context of the average Japanese high school student, who unexpectedly receives demon-busting superpowers.
Players navigate through the complexities of daily life, part-time employment, finding friends, and developing relationships that strengthen them in combat within the Metaverse: an alternate reality created by the darker desires of those in Japan. Among all the facets that define Persona 5, it is perhaps its narrative that draws much from contemporary issues, and the fact that its antagonists are inspired by real persons in Japan. Despite cultural differences, these themes resonate universally as well as reflect current global political dynamics. Overall, Persona 5 presents a profoundly relevant experience that allows gamers a power fantasy beyond what many video games set expectations for.
18. Red Dead Redemption
Developer: Rockstar North
Released: 2010
Is Red Dead Redemption better than GTA 5? Absolutely. While GTA: San Andreas certainly offers a richly detailed world, Red Dead steals the show with its brilliant concept and effective narrative. The game sets an unmatched level of time and place, where every action and interaction not only makes sense but becomes vital against its fantastic landscapes. John Marston’s story of injustice and loss reaches its climax as one of the greatest endings in gaming.
Now, let’s come to the point: playing as a Clint Eastwood-style outlaw is a real joy ride. Be it shooting hostile cowboys, lassoing criminals, or riding through the wilderness on horseback, it immerses you in an interactive Sergio Leone film. Set pieces are truly inspired by classic Westerns, and the understated soundtrack puts the nail in the coffin to capture the essence of the action. Red Dead is truly the complete package and must be considered one of best Rockstar’s game greatest achievements.
19. BioShock
Developer: Irrational Games
Released: 2008
It was well worth the wait to see BioShock on the PS3. The game set a new standard for AAA gaming, reaching unprecedented levels on the scale of gameplay depth, world-building, atmosphere, and storytelling. From that unforgettable opening scene, it’s evident that BioShock is something special.
Not an easy task, the creation of a world like Rapture. How it gamifies towards its perfect juncture of RPG and shooter makes it even more believable and immersive. And then there is the soundtrack, which is beautiful: combining beautiful orchestral sounds with old recordings to fit perfectly into the mood.
It is truly and noticeably a vision in games, with a fantastic storyline and thoughtful action- BioShock. It has left an indelible mark and rewritten the minds of those who consider interactive entertainment.
20. Uncharted 2
Developer: Naughty Dog
Released: 2009
Uncharted 2 is arguably the best adventure game ever in the history of interactive entertainment. The title, in many ways, is a culmination of Indiana Jones, James Bond, and Lara Croft features, making for an unmatched gaming experience. The second installment manages to achieve the best balance of action, puzzles, platforming, and witty dialogue while its successor, Uncharted 3, has an even more incredible set of set pieces. The narrative runs as a classic treatment of betrayal, violence, and romantic rivalry, with each character effectively building the dramatic arc. Remarkably, every feature of the game is designed to maximize enjoyment.
The gameplay can be carried out in myriad adrenaline-soaked activities, such as zip-lining across rooftops in a mountain village, tank fire evasion, and intricate statue-based puzzle solving, to ensure the gameplay is consistently engaging. The wide-ranging interaction and distinctive set pieces, along with traversal through stunningly beautiful environments, ensures that Uncharted 2 never gets dull, the multiplayer mode, however, although rarely used and only accessible to a tiny fraction of players, promises significant entertainment in every match. This is well complemented by an agile control system and stunning graphics that have yet to lose their magic all these years since the game’s first release, more than four years ago.
21. Mass Effect 2
Developer: BioWare
Released: 2011
Mass Effect 2 is nothing less than a masterclass in gaming. At its onset, it creates an audacious and unforgettable moment: the spectacular death of Shepard and the destruction of Normandy. From there, the stage has been set for a thrilling journey centered on rebuilding and redemption as you gather a crew of unforgettable misfits for a high-stakes suicide mission. The overall narrative pushes the story forward, but the personal arcs that your team members possess tear you in every emotional direction imaginable. Decisions are important on a deeply personal level—do you choose to side with Miranda or Jack? Do you choose to support the Geth or the Quarians? Can you save your crew from the Collectors?
Most games cannot bring this level of investment into the plot. Every choice matters. Mass Effect 2 doesn’t so much as tell a story as presents a rich, self-contained experience that evokes the highs and lows of being a hero. Not only is the RPG and shooter gameplay slickly polished, but it complements the game, which looks stunning and offers impressive scale. Mass Effect 2 is undoubtedly one of the finest best RPGs around, and its unforgettable narrative leaves a mark.
22. Portal 2
Developer: Valve
Released: 2011
The original Portal is a masterfully crafted puzzle game that draws the player in through its unique mechanics and darkly humorous story, all for a compelling experience within a scope of two-to-three hours. Portal 2 takes this great base and proves that a more expansive scope can improve the overall product. It features so much more depth in its storytelling and expands on the lore of Aperture Science, its mysterious experiments, and the wider world outside its walls-all this is done without ever feeling superfluous or forced.
The colorful gels that give the place its flooding have to be infused to find a route forward, challenging the player to use his surroundings creatively and take advantage of his new mobility. However, humor is injected throughout the game in the performance by Stephen Merchant as Wheatley, the inept guide who finds himself catapulted into an unexpected position of authority. Paired with an absorbing two-player cooperative mode, Portal 2 becomes one of the best puzzle games ever.
23. GTA 5
Developer: Rockstar North
Released: 2013
Grand Theft Auto V is a landmark development for the series since its transition to 3D. It upholds these core elements that have defined the series since its inception, takes them apart, and reassembles a far more nuanced and creative design. The addition of three protagonists greatly enhances the gameplay by creating intricate dramatic irony from the three separate storylines, interlocking and conflicting with each other yet still under the player’s control.
The game also promotes a range of play styles without betraying the integrity of its lovingly crafted world. It allows each protagonist- simple but well-meaning Franklin, assertive family man Michael, and unpredictably benevolent Trevor-to appeal to different approaches, so players can all engage with the game in an authentic and meaningful way.
24. Dark Souls
Developer: FromSoftware
Released: 2011
Instead of focusing only on the well-known challenge provided by Dark Souls, it is crucial to remember that the difficulty itself is merely one part of an experience infinitely more meaningful than just mere challenge. The challenge itself marks the entrance to deeply fulfilling relationships and vast depth. Dark Souls does not spoon-feed guidance; instead it gives the world that punishes irresponsible play with swift and severe consequences, all coming from a good place: to enhance the gameplay.
However however tough the challenges are, impeccable combat, remarkable freedom, and intricately designed levels for playable paths ensure that there is always a way forward. But whereas the game is perceived as a mere taskmaster, punishing rather than rewarding, it fundamentally trusts its players and encourages their success. It proactively rewards the player for his accomplishments and consistently provides the tools to do so; it is then up to the player to discern and understand those tools on his own.
25. The Last of Us
Developer: Naughty Dog
Released: 2013
The most outstanding title for the PlayStation 3 was in fact toward the end of its life cycle. It is not only a summation of progress made within AAA games over the previous generation but a masterful blend of strong storytelling and forward-thinking, game-driven narrative. It gets as much emotional resonance as visual excellence as it can using a fully realized and polished console.
It is by submerging players into a carefully crafted, subtle, and convincingly bleak world that *The Last of Us* endows players with essential survival tools while at the same time dutifully withholding any means for a fully empowered counteroffensive.
Every event and the accomplishment in it is heavy. This stems from the fact that players have to interface their instincts and intellect to engage with such a game. It is an exemplary work from a leading developer of Sony, at the absolute peak of its ability, and stands as a must-play experience for any owner of the PlayStation 3. This title marks a definitive conclusion of the generation of gaming experiences.
