The Best PS3 Game For Each Year Of The Console's Life (2024)

You know you're getting old when you can honestly say that the PlayStation 3 era is a nostalgic one. Maybe you're in the same boat, looking back at a console that feels recent, even though it was released in 2006. Or maybe you're younger, and the system is the essence of nostalgia because it was your first console and the reason you became a gamer.

And though the PS3 has received some relatively new entries from the indie industry, the console's life went from 2006 to 2017, when it was discontinued. With so many classics, we made a list of our favorite picks from each year. We apologize in advance if your favorite didn't make the cut.

12 Resistance: Fall Of Man (2006)

A Classic FPS

Usually, it takes a while for a new console to have a bunch of cool games. Luckily, Resistance was right there at the beginning, offering a great reason to start being a gamer. Or a good option to get a few years later, after the PS3 became more affordable.

Either way, Resistance and its sequels became an amazing series, even if it's not one of the most popular ones out there, and they all hold up pretty well. It's a great pick for shooter fans.

11 BioShock (2007)

Another Classic FPS

Another excellent example of an FPS series with a great first entry is BioShock, which you probably have heard of before. It has some intense horror vibes, a beautiful narrative, and quite a plot twist — one we won't spoil.

We recommend giving the series a go if you haven't already, and then proceed to the other entries if you enjoy the first one, as it's a great time from start to finish.

10 Grand Theft Auto 4 (2008)

Let's Go Bowling

GTA is a series that requires no introductions at this point, where even non-gamers have some notion of what it is about. GTA 4 was a big hit thanks to its characters, story, and, well, all the main traits that make GTA memorable.

Though its scenes aren't as cinematic as its sequel, the core gameplay holds up extremely well, making GTA 4 a great purchase to this day.

9 Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009)

Beating Many Along The Way

This is the year a lot of heavy hitters were released, making our job of picking one significantly harder. Between the original Batman Arkham, Assassin's Creed 2, Mortal Kombat's reboot, and many others, this is where the PS3 began to truly shine.

The prize here still goes to Uncharted 2 for masterfully improving everything from its prequel, which was already a great game. And it's the game that made Naughty Dog famous for its movie-like games.

8 God Of War 3 (2010)

My Vengeance Ends Now

Speaking of a year full of classics, we also had many great titles in 2010. However, they had to compete against the end of the God of War series — until they decided to change mythologies and make more.

God of War 3 is also a great example of improving upon already great games. The third installment — not counting prequels or in-between titles — improves the already fantastic gameplay from before and culminates Kratos' journey of becoming a true monster.

7 Batman: Arkham City (2011)

Feat Catwoman

The PS3 may have a pattern of sequels improving previous work, but that's good for us. This time, Batman is the one getting improvements, with a better world map to explore, a better story, and smoother gameplay — things that were already great in Asylum.

Not only did this game consolidate the series as a true classic, but it also turned this version of Batman into the definitive version for many fans of The Dark Knight — this writer included.

6 Far Cry 3 (2012)

The Definition Of Insanity

We're not done with sequels just yet because Far Cry 3 is responsible for making the whole series a classic. Along with improving everything from before and creating new stuff, the story also became a hit here.

And you can put a lot of its success on the charisma of Vaas Montenegro, a character who's not even the main villain and still became the face of the game. He's also the reason Far Cry games invest heavily in villains from this point onward.

5 The Last Of Us (2013)

Fear The Fungus

Sorry if you were expecting GTA 5, but when it comes to the identity of the PS3, few games have had a similar impact to The Last of Us, which used all the tricks Naughty Dog learned from Uncharted, but now in a darker story.

This might even be the best game on this list, at least on a technical point, with things such as level design, narrative, and gameplay. Very few titles reach this level of quality, and those that do are usually also made by the same company.

4 Dark Souls 2 (2014)

Time To Die

Going back to sequels, we now have Dark Souls 2. Though Dark Souls, or rather Demon's Souls, is far from being FromSoftware's first game, this series is what made them famous for creating challenging experiences with their gameplay and bosses — creating the soulslike genre in the process.

Dark Souls 2 was a game-changer for the series, and how big of a fanbase the sequels would get. It holds up exceptionally well, a mark of their excellent game design.

A Hideo Kojima Game

Made by the Martin Scorsese of the gaming industry, Metal Gear Solid is always a good pick for your console, and Phantom Pain is no exception. If you enjoy shooters and a compelling narrative — though starting here can be confusing — this is an excellent pick.

For those unaware, this game also focuses on stealth, meaning you can't just go guns blazing on everybody without big consequences, which is part of the fun. Still, you can always try.

2 Persona 5 (2016)

The OG Metaverse

By now, the PS4 was already consolidating itself, with some of the previous entries already being available on it as well. Persona 5 is no exception, being one of those games that get released in two generations of consoles.

Still, ending a console cycle with a game as great as this one is a nice way to go out with a bang. Persona is one of the most beautiful RPGs out there, and that's just part of what makes it great.

1 Just Dance 2018 (2017)

The Year Confused Us, Too

In its last definitive year, not many games came out on the PS3. You can still enjoy Just Dance, a casual series of dancing games that are a great opportunity to create silly moments with friends.

Also like previous entries, this also came out for the PS4, which makes it easier to obtain nowadays in case your consoles are updated.