Right, I’ll make no bones about it: the PS3 is my favourite Sony system of all-time. Why? Because, personally, I consider it stays the golden age of the Japanese firm’s most artistic and ingenious period up to now. The embryonic beginnings of downloadable video games was starting to take form with the arrival of PSN, an {industry} in flux was on the cusp of its massive 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 Last of Us, and plenty of extra.
During the PS3’s tenure, loads of enormous video games launched, however the fascinating factor is, most of the system’s rarer titles are largely not wonderful video games. Sure, there are one or two exceptions to that rule (I’m you Ni No Kuni!), however most of the extra fascinating and beneficial video games within the PS3’s library are often uncommon for a cause.
So, we’ve put collectively a checklist of 10 of the rarest PS3 video games in the marketplace proper now on your studying pleasure. Before we get into the nitty-gritty particulars, do notice that each one the costs proven on this checklist are taken from PriceCharting in July 2023 and have the CIB (Complete In Box) 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, we now have 2014’s mediocre film tie-in starring everybody’s favourite skyscraper-munching prehistoric reptile. Unfortunately, it wasn’t notably well-regarded: the PS3 port boasts zero critic evaluations over on Metacritic, although the superior PS4 model totes a lowly 38 p.c vital ranking.
Most just lately, a disc-only model of the sport bought for a surprisingly excessive asking worth of $66 on eBay. Meanwhile, a CIB providing bought for $123 solely final month from the identical public sale home. What makes Godzilla on PS3 notably uncommon are a variety of components.
Firstly, the sport was de-listed from the PSN Store again in 2017, which seemingly made bodily copies extra fascinating. Additionally, the quantity of bodily discs that had been pressed was fairly restricted because it’s fairly a area of interest style. That being stated, Godzilla as a model remains to be alive and kicking immediately. In truth, not solely does the monster boast a massive cult following, however a new film is formally on its means, too, which additionally might contribute to its desirability issue.
Asura’s Wrath (Limited Edition) – $120-140
You might’ve heard of the God of War, however have you ever ever heard of his lengthy misplaced cousin… Wrath? Alright, they’re not truly associated per se, however they’re each gods, and so they’re each super-powered badasses, okay? Specifically, 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 return throughout in brick-and-mortar retailers. While normal variations of the sport will fetch you round $40, the actual money cow is the e-Capcom Limited Edition 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 develop into more and more uncommon, it’ll solely get extra valuable as time goes by.
Lollipop Chainsaw (Japanese Valentine Edition) – $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 sneakers 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.
While the usual model of the sport will internet you round $60, the golden goose is undoubtedly the Valentine version, which presently sells for round $145 on-line. This particular version options a distinctive Happy Valentine Disc, which accommodates a desktop Juliet clock, some wallpapers and plenty of snapshots of official cosplay fashions. In addition, it additionally consists of a Premium Movie Disc stuffed with trailers and vids, in addition to a particular manga and a few unlock codes.
Unlike most of the different fairly middling video games on this checklist, Lollipop Chainsaw is a real gem, and is totally price trying out if you happen to haven’t completed so already. Plus, there’s even a remake within the works, which can seemingly enhance curiosity and desirability of the unique title.
Afrika – $150
Ever needed to be a photographer within the wilds of the Mother Continent however don’t fancy the round-the-world journey? Boy, have we bought the sport for you. Yes, 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.
Thankfully, there’s no actual demise within the recreation (you’ll simply be teleported again to your base if you happen to get too near, say, a lion or rhino) so if you happen to had been hoping for a grisly, horrifying expertise, this isn’t it. Instead, it’s extra of a chill, stress-free images sim, with some actually dope music from acclaimed composer, Wataru Hokoyama.
Known as “Hakuna Matata” in elements of Asia, the Japanese model of the sport sells for a paltry $15-20 on eBay. However, if you happen to’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 Edition) – $215
The PS3 was residence to a ton of top-tier JRPGs, although it’s honest to say that Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch was undoubtedly among the finest, proper? Blending 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 a actual tear-jerker.
Amazingly, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Level-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.
If you personal the usual version of the sport, you’ll seemingly solely snag some pocket change for it proper now. Instead, the important thing to netting a heap of moolah is if you happen to’re one of many fortunate few who pulled the set off on the Wizard’s Edition, which incorporates a stunningly illustrated Wizard’s Companion ebook, a tremendous cute Drippy plush, and a flashy case. If so… 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 wish to nibble your face off.
Because of all of the violence, nevertheless, the sport was hit by a number of roadblocks as a consequence of censorship points. German censors even branded the title as “too evil” to be launched within the grotesque state it was in.
As a end result, getting your mitts on a bodily PS3 copy of Painkiller: Hell & Damnation isn’t any simple job. Indeed, this extremely sought-after recreation is commonly described as one of many “holy grails” on the PS3, and sometimes fetches a fairly tidy $300 on-line.
The Last Guy – $300
One of the 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 Last Guy.
It’s the top of the world as you already know it, and to save lots of the day, gamers must maneuver an increasingly-growing conga line of survivors to the secure zone. Circling round buildings is a surefire means of rescuing massive teams of survivors and even offers you bonus factors. Think the ol’ Snake recreation in your very first cell phone, mix that idea with an assortment of photos from Google Maps, and throw in some killer extraterrestrials and also you’re just about there.
What makes the rarity of The Last Guy so fascinating is that most individuals in all probability don’t even realise that a bodily copy of the sport even exists, due to the ubiquity of the digital model of the title. Still, there are exhausting copies on the market, and because of the Hong Kong and Taiwan editions being the one English installments, these can fetch a fairly penny from collectors.
Syberia: Complete Collection – $370
The Syberia collection contains a quadrilogy of steampunk point-and-click journey video games, although they’re largely the sufferer of the legislation of diminishing returns. While the 2002 debut is a strong 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.
Adding insult to harm, the console ports — like this PS3 model — had been poorly executed as properly, leading to clunky controls and loads of frustration. Interestingly, because the Syberia: Complete Collection launched in 2016, and the threequel launched in 2017, this assortment truly solely options the primary two video games within the trilogy.
Nevertheless, 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 Holiday: Hidden Memories (English Version) – $470
Aquanaut’s Holiday is a stress-free, 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 recreation, with an emphasis on free-roaming exploration.
The most important cause why the sport is so costly as of late is as a result of it didn’t obtain a correct launch within the west. However, it was re-released with a unfastened English localization in China and South Korea, and it’s these particular copies which are price a lot of cash.
In truth, over on eBay, there’s presently a copy of the a lot wanted title for $675. So, if you happen to’ve ever needed to go to the underside of the ocean, this can be the most cost effective and most secure means to take action.
NBA Elite 11 – $3,650
And lastly we now have the rarest of the uncommon and the rarest recreation on the PS3, bar none. Yes, discovering a copy of NBA Elite 11 is far akin to stumbling upon a dodo’s egg. Atop of a unicorn. During a photo voltaic eclipse.
Why’s this EA basketball title so exhausting to search out? Well, 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.
However, 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. But for a handful of copies, it was too late, as they’d already entered circulation.
Interestingly, the final recorded sale of NBA Elite 11 was for six sealed copies of the sport and so they bought for a staggering $30,000. That’s 5 grand a piece, of us! Holy moly.
Now, if you happen to’ll excuse me, I’ve an attic to rummage by…
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