I hold my PS3 plugged in for one essential motive

The PS3 could have been launched all the best way again in 2006, an absolute relic in expertise phrases, however it’s nonetheless a console that many look again upon fondly. It had a tough launch because of its $600 price ticket, however when the worth got here down, the PS3 managed to make up a ton of floor in its competitors with the Xbox 360.

That top worth was a tricky tablet to swallow, however it’s not prefer it wasn’t considerably justified. For starters, it was the primary recreation console to return outfitted with a Blu-ray participant, primarily as a result of PS3 video games had been printed on Blu-ray discs. This additionally meant it was an excellent possibility for individuals seeking to get into the then-new Blu-ray format.

Over time, I’ve amassed fairly a big physical media assortment, and whereas I’ve largely moved on to 4K, I nonetheless choose up a Blu-ray disc right here and there. I do most of my watching on my Sony 4K Blu-ray participant, however I nonetheless hold my PS3 plugged in simply in case I wish to pop in a daily Blu-ray. Positive, I might use my 4K participant, however typically I really feel like watching someplace aside from my lounge. I even have the additional advantage of my PS3 with the ability to hook up to a CRT TV.

The Blu-ray participant remains to be good in 2025

A really underrated side

Blu-ray gamers are fairly low cost these days, particularly in the event you’re searching for one which’s strictly for Blu-rays and never their 4K counterparts, however none of them have the power to play video games. A PS3 is not too tough to trace down, even twenty years after its launch, and in the event you’re affected person sufficient, you’ll find one for round $50. I grabbed mine years after its launch so I might play the Metallic Gear Strong assortment, however what I did not know was how lengthy I might proceed to make use of it after I ended taking part in the video games.

The Blu-ray participant nonetheless works, and I am unsure if it’s going to ever give out. All electronics fail ultimately, so it is sure to occur, however it would not look like it is going to be any time quickly. My PS2 can nonetheless play CDs and DVDs, however I do know the clock is ticking there, for the reason that disc drive tends to be a weak level on the console. As for my PS3, it has proven no indicators of slowing down, and a part of which may be due to how little I exploit it. Regardless of transferring 3 times now since shopping for it, I nonetheless get it arrange and able to play films. It would not have any fancy bells and whistles such as you’d see in a contemporary Blu-ray participant, however I can not actually anticipate that from a recreation console that is near twenty years outdated now.

I do not know when, or if, Sony plans on dropping assist for the PS3. It acquired an replace in 2025 to update the Blu-ray encryption key to make sure discs proceed to play, and it looks like these updates will proceed to occur periodically so long as the corporate desires to maintain it working. If you happen to’re fortunate sufficient to nonetheless have a useful PS3, I like to recommend giving its Blu-ray participant a strive as a result of it is nonetheless a strong machine for that motive alone. It is largely been outclassed by dedicated players, however it’s nonetheless a powerhouse.

Your PS3 performs video games, too

And it does it fairly properly

I do know I have been occurring and on about how good of a Blu-ray participant the PS3 is, however it’s additionally a recreation console. The primary factor working in opposition to the PS3 at present is most of the console’s greatest video games — The Final of Us, Demon’s Souls, Shadow of the Colossus, and plenty of extra — are higher performed on newer consoles. If you do not have entry to a PS4 or PS5, then the PS3 variations of those video games work simply effective. It is the primary (and solely) manner I’ve performed The Final of Us, and regardless of higher variations being out there, I have not given them a strive.

One other advantage of stepping into the PS3 in 2025 is you’ll be able to choose up video games for affordable. I discovered that the Xbox 360 and PS3 generations have not seen an enormous improve in recreation costs, so you must be capable of hit a used recreation retailer or eBay and choose up fairly a bit with out breaking the financial institution. The PS3 retailer remains to be open as properly, so you should buy video games digitally, one thing I can not say concerning the Xbox 360.

I would not say you must exit and purchase a PS3 immediately, however in case you are considering among the video games that have not been remastered for the PS4 or PS5, then I might say it is value grabbing. If you happen to’re shopping for it for its Blu-ray capabilities alone, I’d say to get a standalone participant or a PS4 or PS5. Each of these latter consoles can play 4K Blu-rays together with common Blu-rays, so there’s extra versatility.

A part of why I like utilizing the PS3 for its Blu-ray participant is one half nostalgia, and one half is it is simply easy to arrange and takes up no area. It additionally helps that I have already got one in good situation. My Xbox One may be very cumbersome and has that energy brick that takes up more room than it ought to. The PS3 slim matches in properly on a shelf and has a daily energy wire that does not take up a lot room.

When you have the area for it, I do not see any motive to not hold yours plugged in, as a result of it truly is a flexible little machine that continues to obtain updates. It would not have the graphical prowess of your PS5 or Xbox Sequence X, however it’s not anticipated to be. All I need out of mine is the power to play Blu-ray discs once in a while, and if I really feel like popping within the God of Conflict assortment, then I need it plugged in and able to go. All these years later, the PS3 nonetheless has a spot in my residence, one thing I can not say for a lot of of my older consoles. So long as it retains receiving updates to maintain the Blu-ray participant useful, I’d simply hold utilizing it till it breaks.