The PlayStation 3 had so many great and memorable games across various genres that anyone who owned or played it has their absolute faves. Most PS3 classics have since received remasters for the PS4, meaning they are also playable on the PS5 thanks to its backwards compatibility.
These games were not only great back then but can also hold their own against most new games currently releasing on the platform. It’s not just nostalgia; many of these were console-defining games and were the best entries in a series or developer’s entire catalogue, and we’ve listed eight of the very best here.
8Skyrim
Metascore: 96
Skyrim is a game where you can lose yourself for hours on end. Although some fan opinions have shifted a bit on the game since it was released, the first time you play it remains a magical and unforgettable experience.
Sure, Bethesda’s habit of re-releasing the game became a meme at one point, but there’s a reason it keeps doing it: the game isthatgood. The game’s magic hasn’t worn off yet. It set a high bar foropen-world RPG games with that much flexibility and non-linearity, and even a decade and a half later, it holds up extremely well.
The first Dishonored remains an underrated game. It’s set in the plague-ridden city of Dunwall, and you play as Corvo Attan, who has both supernatural powers and various weapons and gadgets to take down enemies with.
While Dishonored 2 expanded on the first game with better gameplay and some impressive mechanics, as seen in levels like The Clockwork Mansion and A Crack in the Slab, the original had a much better story, characters, and overall narrative. The darker, grittier vibe of Dunwall gives the game an eerie charm that really stands out.
It’s hard to pick just one game from the trilogy, and fans all have their favorites. Yes, even Mass Effect 3, which was otherwise a great game despite its rushed ending. The entire trilogy was remastered and released in one package as part of the Legendary Edition in 2021, which also included every non-multiplayer DLC and story expansion.
The series makes you feel like you’re in space, interacting with aliens and creatures from different planets. You play as Commander Shepard, making tough decisions that shape the story in noticeable ways across all three games, with many of your choices carrying over and having consequences. The impeccable writing remains a highlight, and it’s easy to see why this remainsBioWare’s magnum opus.
Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag and Assassin’s Creed 2 are usually tied as fans' favorite games in the franchise, but Black Flag’s naval combat and island exploration give it a slight edge. Very few games since have captured the same vibe of being a pirate, coupled with strong storytelling.
The game took a step away from the typical, grounded assassin storyline and threw players into open waters asthe pirate Edward Kenway. The mix of ship battles and the older Assassin’s Creed combat (before the switch to the newer, RPG-focused combat systems) made this game stand out from the rest of the series.
Although Uncharted 2 and 3are much betterthan Uncharted 1, this series is best enjoyed as a trilogy. Not only do you get one of gaming’s most iconic protagonists, Nathan Drake, but he’s also joined by a cast of solid supporting characters such as Elena, Chloe, and Victor.
The trilogy takes players through treasure hunts and ancient ruins all over the world, with a great blockbuster vibe thanks to its set pieces and action sequences. The mix of shooting, platforming, and puzzle-solving always kept the gameplay loop fresh, and the banter between characters added a lot of charm. The trilogy was remastered by Bluepoint Games as part of The Nathan Drake Collection for the PS4 in 2015.
The third entry in the original God of War series received a remaster for the PS4 in 2015, with the first two entries being neglected for some reason. It’s a great contrast to the newer, rebooted God of War titles, and the original trilogy remains a very inspiring game in the genre for other games that followed it.
Taking place in Greek mythology, Kratos takes on the gods of Olympus in his quest for revenge. The game is filled with high-scale boss battles, some puzzle-solving, quick-time events, and combat that feels satisfying.
Heavy Rain is arguably Quantic Dream’s best game, and it perfectly balances its movie inspirations in a gaming medium. It’s a dark, gritty mystery where you control four characters trying to uncover the identity of the Origami Killer. The gameplay focuses on gameplay choices and QTE events that affect the narrative.
The rain itself plays a big role, setting a dark and gloomy mood for its mature storytelling. For its time, and even probably now, the game stood out from others with its style of game design. Not just Quantic Dream’s own Detroit: Become Human, but even games from other developers like Supermassive Games’ Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology series owe a lot to the groundwork laid with Heavy Rain.
Although Arkham City has better combat and more exploration freedom, thanks to its open-world design, Arkham Asylum is very linear, which leads to a far more focused experience. The game is shockingly good for a first entry in a franchise, especially given that this was Rocksteady Studios’ second game, and they had never made anything like this before.
It knocked it out of the park with its characterization of Batman characters, a lot of which became immediately iconic. The only real downside is the final Joker boss fight, and we don’t talk about that.
