Thanks to PlayStation Plus Premium, we can now access all of Sony’s classic PlayStation 3 catalog on the PS5. All for the price of 18 dollars a month. Now, that’s a lot of games. So here’s some of the PS3 gems you might want to check out:
25. Sid Meier's Civilization Revolution
We open this list with a 2008 classic. This is a little less complex than its big brothers like Civ IV, V, and VI, given that it’s a console only experience. You can revisit this game if you’re checking to see how the series has evolved over the years, or maybe to learn a thing or two about history.
24. Siren: Blood Curse
Resident Evil and Silent Hill aren’t the only survival horrors that dominated the PS3 era of games. There was also this one from Japan Studios. This is a reimagining of the 2002 PS2 classic. While it didn’t reinvent the genre that much, it was still a terrifying experience from start to finish.
23. Batman Arkham Origins
The only Arkham game that didn’t receive the Remastered treatment for new-gen consoles. Coming from a different studio, this is not a Rocksteady developed Batman game. Origins is stuck with its vanilla form with all its flaws in WB’s vaults. It’s a shame because this was considered by many as an underrated classic.
22. Resistance 3
Insomniac’s final chapter of their post-apocalyptic shooter. Resistance 3 was the series’ swan song. They went all out with their mix of an intriguing main story and a horror-like experience that will leave you at the edge of your seats. It’s a shame they didn’t remaster this for the new-gen, but one could hope!
21. Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition
There was a time where everyone was gushing over a new crossover fighting game, but they weren’t expecting one with your favorite DC characters throwing punches at each other. This Ultimate Edition is a fighting game classic and it contains everything from DLC characters, story and more.
20. Bionic Commando Rearmed
If you’re itching to play a 2D shooter akin to the good ol’ days of Contra or Metal Slug, this was CAPCOM’s answer. It’s fully remade from the ground up and it looks far different from its 1987 original. It’s still a testosterone-powered trip where you shoot guns and blow things up.
19. Devil May Cry HD Collection
Dante and Vergil’s sibling rivalry is sitting at your PlayStation Plus Premium catalog. This HD collection contains all 3 of CAPCOM’s iconic hack and slash series. It’s the perfect game to look back on the series’ growth, leading to its fourth and fifth major entries.
18. The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
The classic point and click adventure from LucasArts is available to play on your PS5. Before we get our hands on that inevitable sequel, this first entry was a gem during its time. Taking place in a fictional Caribbean, the adventure is just a button press away.
17. Tokyo Jungle
Before the massive influx of survival games, there was this PlayStation 3 classic that had weird all over it. Find your own pack and survive the war between the animal kingdom in a world where humans no longer exist. Tokyo Jungle’s animal filled streets fighting for supremacy was a pitch that could only work in its time.
16. BlazBlue: Continuum Shift
Arc System Works’ BlazBlue fighting series evolved over the years and Continuum Shift was the start of it all. The revamped Burst system now remains a blueprint for the future titles and the characters, art style and its fluid fighting game combat will never get old.
15. Tales From Space: Mutant Blobs Attack
If you ever feel like playing a mutated blob, you’d enjoy this DrinkBox classic. It’s a casual platformer where you navigate around its topsy-turvy levels with timing and a bit of luck. Use the power of science and make it through its relaxing puzzles.
14. Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness
The Disgaea series has etched itself in the JRPG realm as a cult classic. It’s not as popular as Square’s FF titles, nor Monolith’s Xenoblade, but it does offer a great story with some quirky characters in between. A Brighter Darkness requires you to play the first title from the PS2 era, but if you just want to hop in and enjoy the ride to hell, it welcomes you with open arms.
13. Warriors Orochi 3 Ultimate
If you’re looking for some good ol’ musou titles, why not play from the series that started them all? Koei Tecmo’s Warriors Orochi 3 offers non-stop hacking and slashing against hundreds of enemies on screen. The PS3 version lacks some of the bonus content from the Definitive Edition, so we’re gonna have to stick to the base roster.
12. Saints Row 2
The latest one might’ve drawn criticism, but nothing could beat the classics. Saints Row 2 was the first in the series to put players into a true open world experience. It rivaled Grand Theft Auto when it comes to environmental mayhem, so fans are praying for an eventual remake in the future.
11. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
If the Arkham games are too dark and brooding for your taste, LEGO Batman 2 takes you to a more bite-sized open world adventure in Gotham City. Stop Joker and Lex Luthor’s plans with the help of your loyal sidekicks. It’s a great game to revisit if you’re looking for some classic LEGO Batman goofiness.
10. Fallout 3
Bethesda’s first person shooter RPG opened the floodgates of Todd Howard’s ambitions. Fallout 3 paved the way to future Bethesda titles with its well-written story, branching choices, and a world rife with detail. A Remaster would be great.
9. BIT.TRIP Presents: Runner 2 - Future Legend of Rhythm Alien
A rhythm game where you make it through its fever-dream like levels doing fancy moves as well as jamming to its music. It has over 120 levels of sensory overload and its selection of boss fights are unique. It’s the kind of game you’d play casually, but you’re welcome to beat your own record if you want to.
8. XCOM: Enemy Within
The expansion for Firaxis’ turn-based tactical game, Enemy Unknown. You don’t need to worry about buying the base game since it’s already in the PS Plus catalog. This massive expansion added new content to freshen up your base game experience. If you’re looking to revisit this classic, you must prepare yourself for hours and hours of brain-teasing fun.
7. Darkstalkers Resurrection
There’s always a reason to revisit Darkstalkers despite the many choices of fighting games out there. There’s just that certain kind of charm to it, notably with its old-school controls and fascinating set of characters. This compilation is a much needed rest from all the competitive pressure of modern fighting games.
6. The Sly Collection
Sucker Punch hasn’t forgotten their beloved Sly cooper games and now’s the perfect time to play through the classics. Enjoy three of the iconic Sly cooper titles in one package. This thieving raccoon is still relevant and it’s only a matter of time before they make a Remake or Remaster.
5. inFAMOUS 2
Speaking of Sucker Punch, of course there’s always the ‘famous’ inFAMOUS series to check out on the PS Plus Premium catalog. This open-world action game is a power fantasy. It’s like GTA on steroids. We get to explore its world using superpowered traversal mechanics. The first 2 games are PS3 exclusives and Second Son is up for grabs on PS Plus Essential.
4. God of War Collection
It’s not a PlayStation list without the one and only Kratos. This is a Collection worth revisiting if you plan to play all the games in the series. Despite being soft rebooted, there’s still a lot of things to check out with these old titles. It’s brutal, chaotic and a major spectacle for its day and age.
3. Puppeteer
Developed by Japan Studios, this is a 2D platformer that combines classic mechanics with modern design. As a puppet, the world is dangerous enough to navigate. Make it through its inventive levels by swapping heads and gaining new abilities. It’s creative and sometimes weird, but for its time, it was a platformer that could rival even Nintendo’s.
2. Resident Evil 4 HD
CAPCOM’s survival horror series is growing bigger and bigger with each passing title. RE 4 was the spark that ignited the series’ rise to mainstream. This HD version may not be as impressive as the upcoming Remake, but its terrifying atmosphere and challenging level designs make the RE4 experience memorable.
1. Red Dead Redemption
Rockstar Games’ open-world wild west was something we never knew we needed until we wore the boots of John Marston. Its detailed open world may not be as impressive as its sequel, but it was a much needed entry to perfect the genre and Rockstar’s talent for open-world and story-driven design. There’s no other way to play this game on your PS5s if you can’t get the PS Plus subscription!