What are the best PS3 games? The PS3 proved to be Sony's awkward middle child, but when all is said and done, its tremendous recovery landed it in the hearts of PlayStation fans as much as its siblings. Launching on 17th November, 2006 in North America and on 23rd March, 2007 in Europe, it was an enormously ambitious console at the time, and it was this pushing of the envelope that led to its early struggles.
Yes, PlayStation 3's faults and missteps have been well documented by now. Its shaky start began before customers had even purchased the console, as they were faced with a premium price tag of $599.99 / £424.99 for the 60GB model. The high cost ultimately came down to a complex (and thus expensive) hardware makeup; PS3 attempted to innovate with the implementation of the Cell processor, a complicated CPU that, in theory, would allow for highly detailed visuals in the console's games. This, in conjunction with the new Blu-ray disc drive, built-in hard drive, and other bells and whistles, meant PS3 was significantly more expensive than its direct competition.
It also meant development was a pain in the arse. PS3's system architecture was so convoluted compared to the Xbox 360 that many multiplatform games were inferior on Sony's console, despite the potential of its fancy Cell processor. A lot of games skipped the PS3 entirely, or released in a very sorry state. It wasn't a very good look, especially when coupled with that eye-watering price point — and, we mustn't forget the PS2, which was still enormously popular.
The thing is, a selection of launch games all sold the high-definition dream wonderfully. The PS3 launched with several super-impressive first-party titles, like MotorStorm and Resistance: Fall of Man, as well as third-party efforts like Ridge Racer 7. Even so, Sony had an uphill battle on its hands to get the console to a good place, and while it took some time, the company really did turn things around.
Eventually — with some price cuts, hardware revisions, and a brilliant run of exclusive software — the PS3 matured into a console Sony could be proud of. That tricky hardware still made development tough on studios, but after a few years, the Cell unit's potential began to reveal itself with better (and better made) games cropping up from all sides.
The console really did end up with a fantastic selection of software. It was this generation that gave us Uncharted and The Last of Us, the epic finale to Kratos' Greek trilogy with God of War III, and other first-party favourites like Resistance, inFAMOUS, LittleBigPlanet, and many more. Things turned out very well outside of PlayStation's own studios, too; Dark Souls, Grand Theft Auto IV, Red Dead Redemption, Portal 2, BioShock, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare — there are too many incredible games to name here.
On that subject, then, we're all here to talk about the best PS3 games. There are oodles of amazing games on this machine, so we need your help to whittle it down to the absolute top drawer stuff. Based entirely on your ratings, we've put together this list, and it's one that will evolve over time.
Using the above search function, you and your fellow readers can directly influence the games that appear in this feature. Rate all your favourites, mark down the games you didn't like — it all counts towards the user ratings on each title, and in turn, their ranking on this list. If you want to have your say on the best PS3 games, get your ratings in.
It's important to note that games will only appear on this list once they have at least 50 ratings, so be sure to make yourselves heard by voting for all your obscure favourites above.
Best PlayStation Games by Platform
- Best PS Plus Games
- Best PS5 Games
- Best PS4 Games
- Best PSVR Games
- Best PS Vita Games
- Best PSP Games
- Best PSVR2 Games
Right! Enough chit-chat — let's get into the best PS3 games, as ranked and rated by you.
60. Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare (PS3)
Almost as beloved as the original Red Dead Redemption is this zombie-infested spin-off, Undead Nightmare. Taking place in an alternate timeline, it sees John Marston roaming the open world in search of a cure for his infected wife and child. As it so happens, hundreds of zombies stand in his way, turning the western into a spooky survival title. It's a fully fleshed out experience that stands apart from the base game, even offering its own multiplayer modes. A cracking alternative take on Rockstar's PS3 classic.
59. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (PS3)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is the game that catapulted Bethesda into mainstream popularity. The high fantasy RPG didn't have the uniquely imaginative setting of Morrowind, its predecessor, but it did give players a genre-defining open world to explore, which was absolutely peppered with cities, settlements, and dungeons — an incredible achievement at the time. Objectively speaking, Oblivion hasn't aged especially well — its visuals are far too bloomy, its combat is super-jank, and its voice acting is a meme — but there's simply no denying its wonky charm. Perfect if you're looking for a laugh to go along with your role-playing.
58. Far Cry 3 (PS3)
For some, the series peaked with Far Cry 3. This open world shooter takes place on a beautiful tropical island, but it happens to also be home to some extremely unfriendly people. With his friends captured and possibly dead, you play as Jason Brody, who gradually turns from a scared rich kid into a revenge-fuelled killing machine. The addictive loop of taking down enemies and animals and upgrading Jason's abilities and arsenal makes this a super compelling game. So successful is the formula that, multiple sequels later, the series has yet to really move on.
57. South Park: The Stick of Truth (PS3)
56. inFAMOUS (PS3)
A fan favourite first-party franchise is inFAMOUS, starting life on PS3. Like some of Sony's other studios, this was a step into more mature territory for Sucker Punch Productions, following its run of Sly Cooper titles with a pulpy, open world superhero game. Playing as Cole MacGrath, who gains electrical abilities after a disastrous explosion, you can follow the route of good or evil as you jet about on telephone wires, blast baddies with lightning, and scale buildings in a flash. While it has its flaws, this first entry's entertaining story and fun superpowers laid the groundwork for a series that fans are still campaigning to return.
55. Grand Theft Auto IV (PS3)
Acclaimed at the time, but remembered less fondly, GTA 4 encapsulates the PS3 era: its muted colour palette, jittery framerate, and woolly controls all make it hard to return to in modern times. However, the story of immigrant Niko, arriving in Liberty City in search of the American dream, sets up some hilariously cynical writing and plenty of bombastic set-pieces. Sandwiched between the sunny settings of San Andreas and GTA 5, the game can feel a little cold – but this was Rockstar at its rawest.
54. MotorStorm: Pacific Rift (PS3)
MotorStorm: Pacific Rift is an incredible arcade off-road racing game. While the original was great in its own right, Pacific Rift took the mixed vehicle class chaos and put it into a more tropical setting, resulting in much more varied tracks. The action is fast and frantic, with each vehicle type offering its own pros and cons. With shortcuts to discover, challenging AI to race, and of course, online competition to keep you going, this is among PS3's most entertaining exclusives.
53. Killzone 2 (PS3)
While Sony drew ire for its absurdly good-looking target render, Killzone 2 released and looked almost as good anyway. However, this sci-fi FPS is more than just its stunning visuals. It features a brutal campaign, with great enemy AI and uniquely weighty, punchy gunplay. And while the online multiplayer is no more, it was a fantastic competitive shooter too. For us, this is the peak of the series.
52. Mass Effect 3 (PS3)
Even though Mass Effect 3's ending — and by extension, the whole trilogy's ending — remains controversial to this day, there's no denying that the third instalment in Commander Shepard's galaxy-hopping adventure is a thrill ride. With the Reapers, er, reaping havoc across all civilisation, the stakes skyrocket from the start, and so many character-driven stories are wrapped up in this largely unforgettable final act. What's more, the series' gameplay reaches its peak in Mass Effect 3, with much tighter shooting mechanics and redefined combat styles. It's also worth noting that the game's three expansions — Leviathan, Omega, and Citadel — do an outstanding job of elevating the overall experience.
51. LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3)
The original LittleBigPlanet was a resounding success, with millions of levels created and shared by its community of players. LittleBigPlanet 2 followed this up brilliantly, with backwards compatibility allowing all the levels from the first game to be played and edited in the sequel. Featuring new ways to create, the game also came packaged with a wonderful story mode, narrated by Stephen Fry, and is just as charming and inspiring as the original LBP.
Comments 70
Glad to see Dead Space made the cut. An absolute masterpiece of survival horror.
Reminder that these are voted for by our readers. Please direct your hate towards the Push Square peasant masses.
(They've got pretty good taste to be fair.)
We'll also be expanding this list on a reasonably regular basis, so keep an eye out. The plan is to have a full top 50 sometime soonish.
Interesting top 15, few of them I wouldn't have put in there but that's my opinion. Definitely last of us no 1 think that was a given tbh. Would have thought that resistance would have made it though.
All wonderful games but it's Uncharted 2 for me.
@HUMPERDOO Agreed.
Shame we haven't heard anymore about the remake lately.
My favourite console (maybe tied with game boy and possible switch depending on how its final few years go).
Pretty good list, some of my top picks missing but overall nothing too scary.
@hypnotoad i agree 100% i think in my opinion uncharted 2 was way better than 3
List is pretty fair.
Red Dead Redemption is my personal favourite. The first game I really got lost in with its story and side quests. The most laughs I’ve had playing multiplayer too. Absolute 10/10
A reminder that franchises wear thin. Sure, you can’t kill Michael Myers but GTA should just die already even the great Dead Space was looking tired by 3 but alas time pass .. I would snap a xenomorph limb off for another. Seems a fair compromise
@HUMPERDOO hoping they add the first 2 to ps now never played the dead space games
I take ni no kuni over portal any day.word up son
Borderlands 2 and infamous and sly cooper thieves in time.resistance fall of man.sleeping dogs.dragon dogma .killzone 2.pupeteer.metal gear rising revengeance.etc.word up son
@ShogunRok any plans to do a Playstation (PS1) list? That'd be fun.
Time to start negging the games I don't like.
EDIT: And down goes Portal 2 ( ﾟヮﾟ)/
Wow! this list improved a lot in 5 minutes. R&C can eat dirt. Batman and MGS4 are much better!!!
Quite frankly MGS4 should be in the top 5.
I don’t feel like Uncharted 3 belongs here as I actually think it’s the weakest of the PS3 trilogy. I also think I’d give the nod to Arkham Asylum over City. Personally, Id also bump Ratchet and Clank Collection and Metal Gear Solid Collection. They are incredible games for sure, but it’s hard for me to consider them true PS3 games. XCOM Enemy Unknown is my all-time favorite PS3 game, so that would definitely make the cut, and I’d slot in Spec Ops The Line, Dark Souls, and Valkyria Chronicles into my own personal list
Pretty accurate I'd say. Surprised that Okami didn't get a mention though have to say. And maybe ffx.
I've always considered Mass Effect 2 as the best PS3 game, and this list confirms that. Uncharted 2 and TLOU are good but basic and can't compare to the scale of Mass Effect 2.
@nookie_egg Okami is a PS2 game, and my favorite on that console.
So glad Dead space made the cut! Dead Space 2 is my personal favorite of the series. Sucks DS2 didn't make the top 15. If refines all the ruff edges of the original and is a masterpiece of survival horror the pinnacle of the series in my opinion.
@nookie_egg they're both PS2 games sure, they had remasters on the PS3 but they weren't particularly notable as remasters go
Edit: did okami have a PS3 remaster? I think it did but I'm doubting myself now. I know it's on pretty much everything now and I first played it on the Wii, I'm not sure if it hit PS3 or not..
@Cornaboyzzz Literally one of my favourite games of all time, awesome little thing.
@danlk1ng It got a ps3 remaster (and I think again on 4?) and it was a delight. No different than the R&C collection making an appearance on this list surely. I always see Okami as a highly rated amd much loved game, just no one ever thinks of it in their top lists.
@nookie_egg I guess the R&C and MGS collections are only on PS3 ? Maybe that's that.
But yeah, Okami is one of the best games ever made, no doubt. Maybe there will be a PS2 games list here too, I hope to see it on top.
@nookie_egg yeah it's on PS4 - I also have it on Steam. IMO the Wii was the best Okami port of that generation. The Wii didn't have particularly good graphics but the control scheme (pointing a the stick-like controller at the TV and using it as a brush) was better
@Cornaboyzzz Think both made there way to the vita (as well as mgs going to xbox I think?) but it was a gimped version that didn't have peace walker if I remember correctly? But yeah I'd imagine that is right. Yeah awesome game.
@danlk1ng Yeah I'd heard the wii version was cool with the motion controls, never owned or played it though. I think I'm right in saying that the ps2 version was originally rendered in 4k or something stupid and it was just downscaled, so the wii must have been even more watered down.
A shame 3d dot game heroes didn't get here. It probably wasn't played by enough people but what a game.
I'm happy Metal Gear Solid #4 made the top 15
Yeah, can't argue with much of that although where the Holy Hell is Skyrim?!
I did play it on the 360 but surely it wasn't that bad on the PS3?
GTA V should be higher, a lot higher and no AC Creed game either? Very strange.
Overall though a very good list.
@ThomasHL Me too.
My 2nd fave PS3 game.
@Col_McCafferty Honestly, for better or worse, Skyrim is probably the best game of the generation in my eyes. This generation was the era of Bethesda and Rockstar.
And I hate to be that guy at the party, but seriously Last of Us is so… overrated. Sorry, it’s a good game, it deserves to be in the list, great story, but c’mon, the top spot? Uncharted is Naughty Dog’s magnum opus series so far. Uncharted 2 > Last of Us.
@somnambulance I agree that Skyrim is a legendary game and it's absence is really surprising but The Last of Us is a great game, I replayed it only a couple of months ago and apart from the lengthy Pittsburgh segment I enjoyed every second of it.
Everything is overrated to someone, if you didn't think it was that great that's fine but maybe it just didn't 'click' with you when you played it.
😛
I too thought it was 'just' an 8/10 game the first time I played it but after my second play through I realise I was wrong. It's better than that.
Part II is even better imo but that's a debate for the Best PS4 games list.
😉
Skyrim though, what a wonderful adventure and gaming escapism at it's very best.
Man did the ps3 have some heavy-hitters . this list is a work of art
This list reminds me why seventh-gen almost killed my interest in the medium.
The Portal games are pretty dope, though. Particularly the original. Still replay that every once in a while, since it's the perfect length to enjoy a pleasant evening with from beginning to end.
no infamous, resistance or killzone?
Seeing the last of us that high while tools of destruction not even making it, god of war III only at 7, and no inFamous, Sly 4, and PSASBR really makes me question how many people on this site actually had playstations before 4 lol
the steam game ports really solidify that notion
@Col_McCafferty skyrim was great , but the ps3 version of skyrim wasn't good.
Ouch no Infamous, Killzone, Assassins Creed or Valkyria Chronicles!? I'm not mad but disappointed Push Square community!
What about Persona 5 and the Ico Shadow of the colossus collection?
@Col_McCafferty, @Korgon, @Longondo, @Ultrasmiles - "But what about "x" game?"
If you look at the larger 'list', there are lot of games that are sitting with around the same score just outside the top 15, including all the games you all mentioned (Skyrim, Infamous, AC, Persona, Ico/SotC, Demon's Souls) so if you want the answer to where they are, that's where (and it was mentioned that this list is going to expand, so you'll likely see these games make it in a future list).
On to the actual list, I don't know about the list as a whole (still not sure about remaster collections, especially if the remaster itself is basic, as is the case with a lot of the "HD Collections"), but that top 5 is pretty solid imo, especially the top 3. The Last of Us, Uncharted 2, and Mass Effect 2 really were among the standout titles of the generation imo, ones that really showcased the cinematic potential of the medium and largely still hold up even now.
As far as which ones I'd personally swap around, I'd probably drop the two HD Collections, as well as The Orange Box and replace them with either Arkham Asylum or City, GTA V, and possibly either CoD 4, Infamous or Dark Souls.
Haven't got round to Mass Effect yet, but just replayed the Nathan Drake Trilogy and couldn't believe how well they held up. Even the first one which I had steered clear of because I had heard bad things. Quality stuff though and worth a play through on Crushing!
Wait, shouldn't MGS V be on this list? It's more of a next-gen title I suppose, but if GTA V is on there...
That is not what my list would look like, but it's not completely awful as far as lists go.
Can't believe Arkham city and demon souls/dark souls didn't make the cut. I'd put mass effect 2 over the top two.
@Col_McCafferty Yeah, I suppose Last of Us just didn’t click for me. It’s a great game as a movie, but the gameplay was a little off for me, for some reason. I’ve played it three times and each time, it’s like checking the refrigerator in the middle of the night, hoping that I missed something from last time I checked it for a snack I wanted. Lol. Last of Us 2 was much better, gameplay wise. For me, TLOU 1 is and 8/10 and TLOU2 is maybe a 9/10.
However, Skyrim… I played that last night to give the game cheers on 10 years… and despite having played through the game maybe a dozen times, I still got hooked in for a four hour session, trying what I felt was a new approach. The game is just so open and free and exciting, even ten years on and jank included.
No Persona 5 is the biggest surprise, but being so close to PS3s end probably why it's been missed.
A few awesome choices but everyone’s different. My PS3 gaming life consisted of Motorstorm (all of them), Pixeljunk Monsters (still playing No2), COD Modern Warfare, Uncharted 2 online and Resistance 1 online. The PS3 was my first experience of online gaming and Resistance and Motorstorm were awesome experiences.
Some favourites of mine...
Pac-Man Championship Edition DX+
Ridge Racer 7
Daytona USA
Spelunky
Ultra Street Fighter IV
Peggle
Rayman Origins + Legends
Skate 3
Fight Night Round 4
Guacamelee!
Puppeteer
The Darkness
Mortal Kombat (9)
Zen Pinball 2 (mostly for the sadly departed Plants vs Zombies table)
No Bioshock Infinite love in here?!?!?!?!
PushSquare pros: Can you please compile a list of the top 20 games for PS3 that have NOT been upgraded or ported to newer consoles? There’s no way I’m going to spend time on PS3 playing TLOU when I can play an improved remastered version on PS4 or an even better, more spectacular remake on PS5.
That said, I’d love to go back to the PS3 and play some of those awesome PS3 games, but I want to play the PS3 version knowing that THIS PS3 disc I’m tossing into the machine is the best version of the game I’ll be able to play.
To put it another way, when I play the PS3, I want to play the best game on the PS3 that I CAN’T play on the PS4 or PS5. And that’s the ranked list I need. Thanks for your consideration, kind sirs!
@jgrangervikings1 It's a fascinating list, seeing the majority which were re-released on PS4/5. I've still got my PS3 connected for a couple of handfuls of games which is slowly being whittled down, but a list of best PS3 exclusives would make for a good read. All those weird little indie titles from the beginning of the console's life, like Trash Panic, Super Rub a Dub, and Katamari Forever. I'd love for Sega to sort out whatever licensing issues are preventing Outrun 2 and Afterburner Climax from being released on modern consoles as well.
I love/loved the skate games
A bit disappointing not to see Bulletstorm, Vanquish, Bayonetta, RESISTANCE: Fall Of Man, RESISTANCE 2, Borderlands 1 or 2, and Crysis 3 not in the top 50. Those games were all miles better than some of the others listed, at least IMHO.
Beyond Two Souls and Heavy Rain were both top 20 for me that generation. Not perfect games but nothing quite like them.
@jgrangervikings1 I'll start you off with
1) Motorstorm: Pacific Rift
2) Motorstorm: Apocalypse
3) Little Big Planet
4) Little Big Planet 2
5) ModNation Racers
6) Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing
7) Sonic and All Stars Racing Transformed
8) Worms Armageddon
6) to 8) are multiplatform titles (XBox, 3DS, Vita?) but Sony have never deemed it worthy to release the other titles on newer x86 hardware.
Folklore and 3D DOT Heroes were great games.
@TJ81 yes i was surprised Heavy rain wasnt in the top 50
sorry but Deus ex human revolution and south park stick of truth should have been in the top 50
For all the talk of the problems with PS3 backwards compatibility there really isn't much on that list that hasn't been made available on the PS4 and PS5.
If Sony could bring over a couple of collections of older games they would basically cover the lot.
good ol ps3 ❤️❤️
best console generation ever
Can’t argue with the top 2!!
I've played all but 2 of them. I KEEP putting off Persona 5 despite buying it and Royal in sales (a 200 hour JRPG is hard to start) and Valkyria Chronicles is also on my list of shame, bought but unplayed.
Not a bad effort though.
@Wheatly It's always this way. The very best games are almost always remastered and don't NEED backwards compatibility, though it's appreciated. It's the other games, especially the 6 or 7/10s that you love and are a personal 9 or 10/10 that always slip the net.
I second @jgrangervikings1 request for a Top 20 PS3 list that haven't been remastered.
Did I miss GTA IV there? Still considered the best of the bunch but not on the list?
All of the games on this list that I played I enjoyed except two. Journey bored me and I never finished it and Skyrim which I did enjoy when I played the PS4 version. I so wish Fallout 3 and New Vegas would have received PS4 versions like with Skyrim.
My list of 50 would have dropped some and added:
The Saboteur
Saints Row 2
Borderlands 2
Far Cry 4
Resident Evil Revelations 2 including its Raid Mode
Resident Evil 5
Mafia 2
In retrospect the PS3 cost more at launch than the 360 did, but had more features. Adding an HD player, wifi dongle, rechargeable batteries and charger could boost the 360 price higher than the $600 priced PS3 that came with a Blue Ray player, hdmi, built in wifi, USB rechargeable controller, web browser, and PS1 and PS2 disc compatibility.
The $300 120 GB Slim model released September 2009 helped to reduce the 360's sales lead with, from one chart, has the PS3 outselling the 360 in 2009-11. Unfortunately the cell processor and divided ram were still problems and some games were thus still better performers on the 360.
My favourite console with only the Nintendo Switch in the runs to beat it.
So many 10/10's in my eyes 😁
My absolute top games (which is hard enough) would be Fallout NV/3, Skyrim, Demons/Dark Souls, Red Read, Dragon Age Origins, Mass Effect Trilogy, COD4, Bad Company 2, Journey, Both Batman's, GOW3, MGS4, Dead Space 1/2, The Ezio Trilogy and Bioshock Trilogy
Just loaded games 40-50. PS3 had itself a good run. Hard to believe our last BioShock was on PS3
@Slippship Rate it and maybe it'll show up
@Quintumply just me won't make much difference. Must have missed the post.
You guys should do a list of the best ps3 games that are stuck on ps3!! this list gets pretty boring when 2/3 of it were ported to ps4/5
GT5 & GT6 aren't even mentioned. I spent more time playing GT than any other games on PS3.
Slippship wrote:
It's a really good game but common consensus seemed to be it was the worst GTA since it went 3D. It just dropped too many things you could do in previous games and imho lost some of the fun tone. That is reflected in it's 8.4 user score here which means it just misses this list. FWIW I gave it a 9.
@sanderson72 That’s a lot of racin’ games. Let’s toss Blur and Driver San Francisco into the mix as well. 👍
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