Sony recently confirmed that the digital storefronts for the PlayStation 3, PSP, and PlayStation Vita will all be shutting down starting this summer, with the PS3 store disconnecting on July 2, 2021. We all knew this would happen eventually, but it’s still alarming considering how many games are still only available on Sony’s third home console. With the threat of many of these games disappearing forever, I’ve compiled a list of 15 digital only PS3 exclusives that you need to buy before the store is shuttered for good. While this isn’t an all-inclusive catalog, each of these games aren’t available in another format, and most all can only be obtained through the PlayStation 3’s digital storefront. Hopefully, this guide will assist you in ensuring you claim the titles you want before Sony shutters them for an indefinite time.
NOTE: This list is subject to future updates.
- Calling All Cars!
Developed by: Incognito Entertainment
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Price: $9.99 (USD)
Directed by David Jaffe, the creator of the Twisted Metal and God of War franchises, this car combat game casts players as a bounty hunter who must retrieve escaped convicts while batting it out with three other hunters. The game stands out with its top down perspective and cel-shaded graphics, though that can clash with its violent game play. While Calling All Cars! lacks a lot of extra features and content, it offers a fun time considering it was one of the very first PlayStation Store titles. If you’re looking for a fun, competitive, couch co-op game, this one should satisfy.
- Class of Heroes 2G
Developed by: Zero Div
Published by: Atlus
Price: $44.99 (USD)
The Class of Heroes series is a dungeon crawler that has players attending a school for monster hunting. This expanded port of a PSP exclusive adds more dungeons, skills, party members, as well as full voice acting. The game actually did receive a physical release in North America, but it is extremely limited, made only available to those that preordered in advance, thus you’re best sticking to the digital version if possible.
- Comet Crash
Developed by: Pelfast
Published by: Pelfast
Price: $3.99 (USD)
Comet Crash is an addictive tower defense game with the goal of defending a comet that has been besieged by the enemy. The game borrows from the real time strategy genre in that it forces players to mine for minerals, and then use those minerals to construct production centers that supply you with units. It also offers two player co-op and versus modes, making this a no brainer for the price.
- Eat Them!
Developed by: Fluffy Logic
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Price: $9.99 (USD)
This spiritual successor to the classic arcade title Rampage has players battling as monsters and giant mechs in a one-on-one melee in a crowded city. Devour citizens and destroy the city to gain strength, and then unleash your power against your opponent. While short on content, anyone that enjoys kaiju movies is going to have a god time with Eat Them!
- Echochrome 2
Developed by: Japan Studio
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Price: $14.99 (USD)
This puzzle game uses the PlayStation Move motion controller and the PlayStation Eye camera to rotate levels and control light and shadows. Players must manipulate their environment to create a path for their mannequin avatar to reach their goal. It’s an inventive concept that anyone that still has the PlayStation Move hardware should add to their collection.
- inFamous: Festival of Blood
Developed by: Sucker Punch
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Price: $4.99 (USD)
This non-canonical retelling of Infamous 2 has the electrified protagonist of the game turned into a blood thirsty vampire. The game gives Cole many new abilities to go along with his vampiric state, and a whole new story to go along with it. This spin-off leans heavily into the “evil” side of inFamous, so those that enjoy playing as a heroic vigilante rather than a supervillain may be a tad disappointed. Still, at under five bucks, it’s no wonder that this is one of the most downloaded games on the PlayStation Store.
- Puppeteer
Developed by: Japan Studio
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Puppeteer is an endearing 2D platformer, where the player is a young boy who has been changed into a wooden puppet. As a puppet, you are able to switch heads, each one with their own abilities. The game was one of the few on the PS3 to be designed with 3D television in mind, although it still looks and plays great on standard HD TVs. It also supports the PlayStation Move, should you be looking for a fun game for your motion accessory.
- Rain
Developed by: Acquire, Japan Studio
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Price: $14.99 (USD)
In this puzzle/adventure title, both the player and the enemies are invisible, and only become visible in the pouring rain. Gamers must guide a young, transparent girl through the wet streets of Paris while avoiding menacing, unseen monsters. The game is noteworthy for its beautiful soundtrack, namely the unique arrangement of “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy. If you like games such as Ico, Rain will offer plenty of enjoyment.
- Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty
Developed by: Insomniac Games
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Price: $14.99 (USD)
This side adventure in the Ratchet & Clank Future series is set between Tools of Destruction and A Crack in Time, and has the Lombax Ratchet rescuing his partner Clank from space pirates. Although an incredibly short adventure, only about three hours or so in length, the game is made with the same degree of high quality that the series is known for. If you are a fan of the franchise and never played this, then Quest for Booty is an adventure worth having.
- Siren: Blood Curse
Developed by: Japan Studio
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Price: $19.99 (USD)
This episodic horror game was released as 12 individual chapters, and is available as a collection or in packs of 4. Blood Curse is a “reimagining” of the first Siren game for the PS2, and has players controlling a diverse cast of characters as they try to escape a cursed village in Japan. The franchise is one of the most inventive and horrifying games in the genre, and is must play for all fans of terror.
- The House of the Dead 4
Developed by: Wow Entertainment
Published by: Sega
Price: $9.99 (USD)
This fourth installment in Sega’s popular light gun series also released as an arcade cabinet, but the PS3 is the only place to experience it at home. The House of the Dead 4 arms players with submachine guns as opposed to semi-automatic pistols, and features branching paths, providing loads of replay value. The game is best experienced with the PlayStation Move controller, so if you have that there is no reason to not nab this excellent shooter.
- The Last Guy
Developed by: Japan Studio
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Price: $9.99 (USD)
This early PlayStation Store title tasks players with guiding their character through cities overrun by “zombies” and leading survivors to safety. This game is presented from a top down perspective, and uses high resolution satellite imagery from Google Earth to present the cities you need to navigate. The Last Guy sports game play that’s easy to pick up and is addictive once you get going. No PlayStation 3 library should go without it.
- Tokyo Jungle
Developed by: Crispy’s!, Japan Studio
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Price: $14.99 (USD)
Tokyo Jungle is a bizarre game, which makes it all the more appealing to most gamers. After a world ending event has caused humankind to go extinct, animals are left to fend for themselves. This survival title allows players to take control of a large array of beasts, from tigers and crocodiles, to deer and even Pomeranians. Dozens of hours can easily be spent completing a campaign with each unique animal and unlocking all of its content. The game is available in physical form as part of the Best of PlayStation Network Vol. 1, but the collection is difficult to find so your best bet may be the digital version.
- Trash Panic
Developed by: Japan Studio
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Price: $4.99 (USD)
Trash Panic is a distinctive puzzle game that can best be described as Tetris but with everyday objects rather than geometric blocks. Garbage carried by a conveyor belt is slowly dumped into a container, and you must arrange the objects so that they fit without the trash overflowing. It’s admittedly zany, but that just adds to the charm. You won’t find many puzzle games that are more fun for the price.
- Wipeout HD
Developed by: Studio Liverpool
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Price: $7.99 (USD)
Wipeout HD and it’s expansion pack Wipeout HD Fury both offer intense gravity defying racing at break neck speeds. The game was best experienced online where you could compete against foes from across the globe. Alas, the servers were shut down in 2018. Still, for the price you won’t find many more exciting racing games where you can race against computer and couch co-op opponents.
And there you have it! Again, while there are other games that are only available digitally on the PlayStation 3 Store, these games are worthy of being added to most any collection. Are there any I missed that you would recommend? Please, let us know below!
Source for photos: PlayStation.
Leave a Reply