Sony is set to close the PlayStation Store for the PS3. This announcement is significantly impacting the used game market. Prices for certain titles are skyrocketing on platforms like eBay, particularly for games that were exclusive to the console and had limited success.
Anyone with a collection of old PS3 discs should take a closer look at their inventory. Since Sony’s recent announcement, the prices for some of these games on platforms like eBay have noticeably increased.
The reasoning behind this trend is straightforward: In early July, Sony announced that the PlayStation Store for the PS3 would be shutting down in July 2027. This leaves users with about a year to make any digital purchases, and it also affects the PlayStation Vita store.
While it’s debatable whether these digital platforms were frequently used, the disappointment is palpable, especially with another significant announcement: Sony Interactive Entertainment intends to stop producing physical discs for new releases starting in early 2028.
Prices Soar from $50 to $200
These announcements have led to a notable surge in prices for certain PS3 games. A prime example is the platformer “Puppeteer”, released in 2013 and developed by Japan Studio.
Before Sony’s announcement, complete physical copies were typically sold for about $60 to $70. Now, they are listed on eBay for hundreds of dollars, and there appears to be a willing customer base for these prices. As reported by Comicbook, amounts exceeding $200 have already been observed for certain titles.
While these price jumps don’t always imply causality, the trend is evident. One commercial seller has been offering “Puppeteer” in larger quantities since at least 2025. Previously, in August of last year, the price was recorded at $53.99. Today, it stands at $199.99—likely due to it now being one of the last copies available.
In Germany, prices have remained somewhat more economical. For instance, a sealed USK copy is listed for €119.95 on eBay.
Other PS3 exclusives are also witnessing similar price hikes, according to Comicbook. The early console RPG “Folklore”, published by Sony, was priced around $40 to $50 within 2026. However, it now frequently commands $120 to $150. The retro-inspired action title “3D Dot Game Heroes” from Atlus consistently sells for above $100.
Why Are Prices Increasing?
All the affected games share a common trait: they were exclusive to the PS3 and sold poorly at launch. Titles like “Infamous” and “Infamous 2,” which sold millions of copies, show little price fluctuation. The underlying reason for these stable prices is the sheer number of copies still in circulation.
This means that in addition to the impending store shutdown and the end of physical discs, another factor influencing price development comes into play.
Many PS3 games can still be digitally purchased on the PS3 PlayStation Store for a fraction of the prices listed on eBay. However, for many buyers of disc versions, the motivation may not solely be the gameplay. It often revolves around potential value as an investment, long-term archiving, and a sense of nostalgia. Furthermore, being able to show grandchildren what their grandparents played on long-forgotten consoles is a treasure of its own, even if they might not show much interest.
