Proper, I’ll make no bones about it: the PS3 is my favourite Sony system of all-time. Why? As a result of, personally, I imagine it stays the golden age of the Japanese firm’s most artistic and ingenious period so far. The embryonic beginnings of downloadable video games was starting to take form with the appearance of PSN, an {industry} in flux was on the cusp of its huge shift to on-line gaming, and as soon as the cutting-edge tech of the cell structure lastly began hitting its stride, we had been blessed with some bonafide classics within the type of Heavy Rain, Uncharted 2, The Final of Us, and plenty of extra.
In the course of the PS3’s tenure, loads of big video games launched, however the fascinating factor is, lots of the system’s rarer titles are largely not superb video games. Certain, there are one or two exceptions to that rule (I’m taking a look at you Ni No Kuni!), however lots of the extra fascinating and worthwhile video games within the PS3’s library are often uncommon for a motive.
So, we’ve put collectively an inventory of 10 of the rarest PS3 video games in the marketplace proper now to your studying pleasure. Earlier than we get into the nitty-gritty particulars, do observe that each one the costs proven on this checklist are taken from PriceCharting in July 2023 and have the CIB (Full In Field) listings of current purchases by collectors. With that out of the best way, let’s get straight into it, lets?
Godzilla – $116-131
Coming in scorching, now we have 2014’s mediocre film tie-in starring everybody’s favourite skyscraper-munching prehistoric reptile. Sadly, it wasn’t significantly well-regarded: the PS3 port boasts zero critic opinions over on Metacritic, although the superior PS4 model totes a lowly 38 p.c vital ranking.
Most not too long ago, a disc-only model of the sport offered for a surprisingly excessive asking worth of $66 on eBay. In the meantime, a CIB providing offered for $123 solely final month from the identical public sale home. What makes Godzilla on PS3 significantly uncommon are various elements.
Firstly, the sport was de-listed from the PSN Retailer again in 2017, which probably made bodily copies extra fascinating. Moreover, the quantity of bodily discs that had been pressed was fairly restricted because it’s fairly a distinct segment style. That being mentioned, Godzilla as a model remains to be alive and kicking right now. The truth is, not solely does the monster boast a big cult following, however a brand new film is formally on its means, too, which additionally could contribute to its desirability issue.
Asura’s Wrath (Restricted Version) – $120-140
Chances are you’ll’ve heard of the God of Struggle, however have you ever ever heard of his lengthy misplaced cousin… Wrath? Alright, they’re not really associated per se, however they’re each gods, and so they’re each super-powered badasses, okay? Particularly, you assume the position of the titular God of Wrath on his path for revenge as he takes on the various deities which have wronged him. Sounds fairly acquainted, proper?
Described as a “hidden gem” by many collectors, this action-packed anime journey is pretty unusual to come back throughout in brick-and-mortar retailers. Whereas normal variations of the sport will fetch you round $40, the true money cow is the e-Capcom Restricted Version of the sport, which comes with two distinctive artwork books, and an Asura’s Nirvana DVD.
This restricted version model of the sport sells for round $140 on-line, and as bodily copies grow to be more and more uncommon, it’ll solely get extra valuable as time goes by.
Lollipop Chainsaw (Japanese Valentine Version) – $145
Suda51 and James Gunn’s zombie-slicing motion opus is equally bonkers as it’s a fun-packed thrill-ride. Not solely do you step into the dainty footwear of San Romero cheerleading captain, Juliet Starling, however you’ll even be handled to some fairly hilarious banter between her and her decapitated boyfriend, Nick.
Whereas the usual model of the sport will web you round $60, the golden goose is undoubtedly the Valentine version, which presently sells for round $145 on-line. This particular version includes a distinctive Blissful Valentine Disc, which accommodates a desktop Juliet clock, some wallpapers and plenty of snapshots of official cosplay fashions. As well as, it additionally features a Premium Film Disc filled with trailers and vids, in addition to a particular manga and a few unlock codes.
Not like lots of the different relatively middling video games on this checklist, Lollipop Chainsaw is a real gem, and is completely price testing should you haven’t performed so already. Plus, there’s even a remake within the works, which is able to probably improve curiosity and desirability of the unique title.
Afrika – $150
Ever wished to be a photographer within the wilds of the Mom Continent however don’t fancy the round-the-world journey? Boy, have we bought the sport for you. Sure, Rhino Studios’ snap ’em up throws you into the center of the Sahara as you traverse the pure habitats of a plethora of harmful wildlife.
Fortunately, there’s no actual loss of life within the sport (you’ll simply be teleported again to your base should you get too near, say, a lion or rhino) so should you had been hoping for a grisly, horrifying expertise, this isn’t it. As an alternative, it’s extra of a chill, enjoyable pictures sim, with some actually dope music from acclaimed composer, Wataru Hokoyama.
Often known as “Hakuna Matata” in elements of Asia, the Japanese model of the sport sells for a paltry $15-20 on eBay. Nevertheless, should you’re one of many fortunate few who owns the US model, you’ll be happy to listen to that you simply’ll have the ability nab round $148 if it’s in good situation.
Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch (Wizard’s Version) – $215
The PS3 was house to a ton of top-tier JRPGs, although it’s truthful to say that Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch was undoubtedly top-of-the-line, proper? Mixing the creature-collecting and turn-based fight from Pokemon with the painterly, anime visuals of Spirited Away, the touchingly poignant story of Oliver, Drippy, and co. is an actual tear-jerker.
Amazingly, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Degree-5 and Studio Ghibli, which is the place a lot of its aesthetic comparisons come from. At its core, Oliver and his wee companion Drippy should embark on a quest to place an finish to the darkish djinn, Shadar, in a bid to save lots of his mother.
In the event you personal the usual version of the sport, you’ll probably solely snag some pocket change for it proper now. As an alternative, the important thing to netting a heap of moolah is should you’re one of many fortunate few who pulled the set off on the Wizard’s Version, which features a stunningly illustrated Wizard’s Companion ebook, a brilliant cute Drippy plush, and a flashy case. If that’s the case… cha-ching!
Painkiller: Hell & Damnation – $270-400
Rising from the ashes of the cavalcade of gloomy Doom-likes from the noughties, Painkiller: Hell & Damnation is the quintessential throwback FPS replete with buckets of blood, excessive gore, and hellish flesh-eating monstrosities that need to nibble your face off.
Due to all of the violence, nevertheless, the sport was hit by a number of roadblocks attributable to censorship points. German censors even branded the title as “too evil” to be launched within the ugly state it was in.
In consequence, getting your mitts on a bodily PS3 copy of Painkiller: Hell & Damnation isn’t any simple process. Certainly, this extremely sought-after sport is recurrently described as one of many “holy grails” on the PS3, and infrequently fetches a relatively tidy $300 on-line.
The Final Man – $300
One of many main downloadable indie video games that arguably kicked off the industry-shattering digital revolution on PS3 is Japan Studio’s weird and quirky isometric puzzler, The Final Man.
It’s the top of the world as you understand it, and to save lots of the day, gamers need to maneuver an increasingly-growing conga line of survivors to the secure zone. Circling round buildings is a surefire means of rescuing huge teams of survivors and even offers you bonus factors. Assume the ol’ Snake sport in your very first cell phone, mix that idea with an assortment of photographs from Google Maps, and throw in some killer extraterrestrials and also you’re just about there.
What makes the rarity of The Final Man so fascinating is that most individuals most likely don’t even realise {that a} bodily copy of the sport even exists, because of the ubiquity of the digital model of the title. Nonetheless, there are laborious copies on the market, and because of the Hong Kong and Taiwan editions being the one English installments, these can fetch a reasonably penny from collectors.
Syberia: Full Assortment – $370
The Syberia collection includes a quadrilogy of steampunk point-and-click journey video games, although they’re largely the sufferer of the regulation of diminishing returns. Whereas the 2002 debut is a stable puzzler and a love letter to the graphic journey titles of yesteryear, its first couple of sequels step by step bought worse and worse with weak writing and repetitive puzzles.
Including insult to harm, the console ports — like this PS3 model — had been poorly executed as properly, leading to clunky controls and loads of frustration. Apparently, because the Syberia: Full Assortment launched in 2016, and the threequel launched in 2017, this assortment really solely options the primary two video games within the trilogy.
Nonetheless, the PS3 assortment nonetheless manages to promote for round $400 due to the very restricted amount of bodily copies that had been pressed.
Aquanaut’s Vacation: Hidden Reminiscences (English Model) – $470
Aquanaut’s Vacation is a calming, quasi wildlife documentary expertise that locations gamers into the position of a journalist investigating the disappearance of a lacking oceanographer, William Glover. It’s largely an journey sport, with an emphasis on free-roaming exploration.
The principle motive why the sport is so costly nowadays is as a result of it didn’t obtain a correct launch within the west. Nevertheless, it was re-released with a unfastened English localization in China and South Korea, and it’s these particular copies which might be price some huge cash.
The truth is, over on eBay, there’s presently a duplicate of the a lot wanted title for $675. So, should you’ve ever wished to move to the underside of the ocean, this can be the most affordable and most secure means to take action.
NBA Elite 11 – $3,650
And at last now we have the rarest of the uncommon and the rarest sport on the PS3, bar none. Sure, discovering a duplicate of NBA Elite 11 is far akin to stumbling upon a dodo’s egg. Atop of a unicorn. Throughout a photo voltaic eclipse.
Why’s this EA basketball title so laborious to seek out? Properly, it’s primarily as a result of it’s not meant to have been launched within the first place. See, NBA Elite 11 was all set to launch again in 2010, and even had a demo on PSN.
Nevertheless, earlier than the sport launched, gamers skilled a bunch of horrible bugs and game-breaking glitches that pressured EA to drag the sport from its scheduled launch and cancel the title wholesale. However for a handful of copies, it was too late, as they’d already entered circulation.
Apparently, the final recorded sale of NBA Elite 11 was for six sealed copies of the sport and so they offered for a staggering $30,000. That’s 5 grand a bit, of us! Holy moly.
Now, should you’ll excuse me, I’ve an attic to rummage by…
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