2006 · Sony Computer Entertainment · Japan · console
Sony PlayStation 3
Featuring the exotic Cell Broadband Engine supercomputer chip and an internal Blu-ray drive, the PS3 was initially expensive to manufacture ($599) and…
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Featuring the exotic Cell Broadband Engine supercomputer chip and an internal Blu-ray drive, the PS3 was initially expensive to manufacture ($599) and difficult to program. However, Sony’s first-party studios pushed it to become a legendary HD platform.
From the birth of the Soulsborne genre in FromSoftware’s Demon's Souls to Naughty Dog’s cinematic storytelling in Uncharted and The Last of Us, the PS3 pioneered modern prestige gaming narratives.
Under the hood
- CPU
- Cell Broadband Engine (1 Power Processing Element + 7 Synergistic Processing Elements @ 3.2 GHz)
- Sound chip
- Software DSP handling 7.1 LPCM, Dolby TrueHD, and DTS-HD Master Audio
- Graphics
- NVIDIA RSX "Reality Synthesizer" @ 500 MHz with 256 MB GDDR3 VRAM (1080p HDMI)
- Media
- Blu-ray Disc optical drive & Internal 2.5" SATA Hard Drive
Hardware revisions
| Model | Years | What changed |
|---|---|---|
| CECHA01PS3 'Fat' 60GB | 2006 | Only CECHA and CECHB models have full hardware PS2 backward compatibility (real Emotion Engine and Graphics Synthesizer chips onboard).; Known issue: Yellow Light of Death (YLOD) — solder/BGA failures typically 18-24 months after purchase |
| CECHB01PS3 'Fat' 20GB | 2006 | Shares CECHA's full hardware PS2 backward compatibility. |
| CECHE01PS3 'Fat' 80GB | 2007 | Software-emulation PS2 support (same tier as CECHC) |
| CECHG01PS3 'Fat' 40GB | 2007 | No PS2 support at all |
| CECHP01PS3 'Fat' 160GB | 2008 | No PS2 support |
| CECH-2000PS3 Slim | 2009 | Smaller ~10cm cooling fan, significantly slimmer/lighter than the Fat models |
| CECH-4000PS3 Super Slim | 2012 | Top-loading disc drive replaces the slot-loading drive |
| CECH-4300PS3 Super Slim (final revision) | 2014 | Final PS3 hardware revision |
What it cost
only about 9% of a month’s pay in 2009 · about $437 today
| US launch list price ($499 for 20GB, $599 for 60GB) |
$499 (2006)
about 15% of a month’s pay · about $776 in today's money |
|---|---|
| PS3 Slim relaunch price ($299) |
$299 (2009)
Pivotal price cut and redesign that revived system sales. |
| Units sold | 87,400,000 87.4 million units sold worldwide. |
What it's worth now
Accessible $50–100 standard, $150–250+ for the 60 GB PS2-backward-compatible launch model
The early fat models suffer the Yellow Light of Death (a GPU solder failure); the Slim and Super Slim are markedly more reliable.
A guide to collectibility, not a valuation — real prices depend on condition, completeness and demand.
Why it mattered
From the birth of the Soulsborne genre in FromSoftware’s Demon's Souls to Naughty Dog’s cinematic storytelling in Uncharted and The Last of Us, the PS3 pioneered modern prestige gaming narratives.
Emulating it today
| Emulators | RPCS3 |
|---|---|
| Setup effort | Expert only (9 on this site's scale) |
| Controls | A standard modern controller covers the ordinary controls, though unusual accessories may need custom mapping. |
| Runs on a handheld | No — it needs a real machine |
Requires the official Sony PS3 Firmware update file (`PS3UPDAT.PUP`), which is 100% legal and free to download directly from PlayStation.com into RPCS3. The emulator names above are starting points, not a promise that every title or accessory behaves identically. Computer platforms usually add model selection, disk handling and keyboard setup even when CPU emulation itself is mature.
PlayStation 3 System Software (PS3UPDAT.PUP)
RPCS3 requires installing Sony's official system software update file (PS3UPDAT.PUP). The PUP package installs decrypted Cell OS libraries, proprietary media codecs, system fonts, and runtime modules needed to execute PS3 games.
How many files you need: 1. A single official PS3UPDAT.PUP firmware update package installed into RPCS3 via File -> Install Firmware.
Where it stands legally: Sony provides the official PlayStation 3 system software update freely for download on its support website.
Legitimate source: Official Sony PS3 System Software Download
Firmware details checked 2026-08. Emulator requirements change — see RPCS3 Official Quickstart & Firmware Guide for the current list.
Where the software is
Preservation catalogues describe verified dumps; they do not grant permission to download commercial software. A curated, correctly matched set is easier to use than an undifferentiated archive.
Copyright: Commercial software remains copyrighted unless its owner explicitly released or relicensed it. Homebrew, public-domain programs and current reissues should be treated separately from abandoned commercial titles.
This site names preservation projects and explains what they are. It does not link to ROM downloads.
Where to start
- Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots Tactical Espionage Action
Old Snake’s emotional finale, still trapped on PS3 hardware and running gloriously on RPCS3.
- Demon's Souls Action RPG
Hidetaka Miyazaki’s atmospheric dark fantasy masterwork that birthed the Soulsborne phenomenon.
- The Last of Us Cinematic Survival Adventure
Naughty Dog’s landmark emotional journey through a post-pandemic America.
- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves Action Adventure
Set the benchmark for cinematic Hollywood-scale action setpieces and train shootouts.
- Persona 5 JRPG
The Phantom Thieves stealing hearts with stylish acid-jazz visuals and turn-based combat.
- God of War III Action Hack & Slash
Scale of Mount Olympus battle against the Greek pantheon.
- Killzone 2 First-Person Shooter
Weighty gunplay and atmospheric deferred lighting on the planet Helghan.
- Infamous 2 Open World Superhero Action
Electric parkour mobility and karma choice across New Marais.
- LittleBigPlanet 2 Platformer / Creation Sandbox
Media Molecule’s charming user-generated creation suite with Sackboy.
- Gran Turismo 5 / 6 Racing Simulation
Over 1,000 cars with realistic lighting and dynamic weather cycles.
- Infamous
- Folklore 2007 Action role-playing game
The verdict
The Cell Broadband Engine powerhouse that brought true HD gaming and free PSN. Metal Gear Solid 4, The Last of Us, Demon's Souls, Uncharted 2, and Persona 5.
The strongest software can be rewarding, but original controls and setup assumptions may matter more than screenshots suggest.
- Worth it if
- Players curious about sony playstation and willing to learn how the original machine worked.
- Not for
- Anyone who wants a large, instantly accessible library and no model, firmware or control decisions.
Scored 5/5 for fun today and 5/5 for historical importance. Those two scores decide the label at the top — a machine can matter enormously and still be no fun.
Read more & watch
This page is 75% complete against the facts we try to record for every system. Gaps are shown as gaps.