The PlayStation 3, abbreviated as PS3, is a video game console created by Sony. Together with the Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360, it is a seventh-generation console. It was released in November 2006 in Japan, the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The European release, however, was delayed until March 2007. All models are compatible with original PlayStation games; and certain early models are also compatible with PlayStation 2 games (see below). It was the first console with access to the PlayStation Network.
As of May 29, 2017, the console has been formally discontinued in New Zealand. North America, and Japan,[1] and other parts of the world on March 8, 2019. It was succeeded by the PlayStation 4 in 2013 in all territories. As of May 2021, PlayStation Network services remain operational for this console.
Hardware revisions[]
The initial models of the PlayStation 3 released in 2006 (retroactively referred to in the gaming community as the "fat" or "Spider-Man" models) were not well-received due to high price points, low storage, and limited third-party game support. Nonetheless, these models were perhaps the most complete in the series, as they included PlayStation 2 support through their discontinuation in late 2007. The first two North American models (CECHA and CECHB) included the PS2's main processors on the motherboard itself to achieve complete backward compatibility. The next two models, the European CECHC and the North American CECHE, removed the PS2 main CPU and transferred its roles to software emulation. By late 2007, all PS2 compatibility was dropped.
On September 1, 2009, the "slim" model of PlayStation 3 was released. The PS3 Slim was 32% smaller than the original and consumed 34% less power. In 2010, Sony silently launched new revisions of the Slim console (CECH-210x) featuring both a smaller CPU and a smaller GPU than original models, which led to another 22% reduction in power consumption, lower heat output, noise reduction and 7-ounce (200g) weight reduction. CECH-210x consoles started to appear in Japan in March, in North America in May, and in Europe in June.
In mid-2012, a third "superslim" model (CECH-4xxx) was launched worldwide, slashing the power requirements by 15-20% versus the 2009 models and further reducing the size and weight of the console itself. It also replaced the automatic slot-load disc mechanism with a fixed manual-open tray. The base model included an integrated 12 GB solid-state drive (SSD).
Final Fantasy titles for PS3[]
| Game | Release Date | Metascore | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Japan
|
 North America
|
 Europe
| ||
| Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster | December 26, 2013 | March 18, 2014 | March 21, 2014 | 85 |
| Final Fantasy XIII | December 17, 2009 | March 9, 2010 | March 9, 2010 | 83 |
| Final Fantasy XIII-2 | December 15, 2011 | January 31, 2012 | February 3, 2012 | 79 |
| Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII | November 21, 2013 | February 11, 2014 | February 14, 2014 | 66 |
| Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn*Discontinued | August 27, 2013 | August 27, 2013 | August 27, 2013 | 78 |
| Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward*Discontinued | June 23, 2015 | June 23, 2015 | June 23, 2015 | N/A |
PS3-compatible PlayStation Network titles[]
| Game | Release Date | Metascore | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan
|
North America
|
Europe
| ||
| Final Fantasy Origins | June 24, 2009 | January 10, 2011 | N/A | 79 |
| Final Fantasy IV | June 27, 2012 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Final Fantasy V | April 6, 2011 | November 22, 2011 | May 4, 2011 | 80 |
| Final Fantasy VI | April 20, 2011 | December 6, 2011 | June 2, 2011 | 80 |
| Final Fantasy VII | April 9, 2009 | June 2, 2009 | June 4, 2009 | 92 |
| Final Fantasy VIII | September 24, 2009 | December 17, 2009 | February 4, 2010 | 90 |
| Final Fantasy IX | May 20, 2010 | June 15, 2010 | February 26, 2010 | 94 |
| Final Fantasy Tactics | May 13, 2009 | September 17, 2009 | N/A | 83 |
| Vagrant Story | August 12, 2009 | March 1, 2011 | December 22, 2009 | 92 |
| Chocobo no Fushigina Dungeon | August 25, 2009 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Chocobo's Dungeon 2 | August 25, 2009 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Chocobo Racing | February 10, 2009 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Crystal Defenders | March 11, 2009 | August 6, 2009 | July 23, 2009 | 63 |
Announced but never released[]
Final Fantasy Versus XIII was initially announced for PlayStation 3, but as of E3 2013 it was re-announced as Final Fantasy XV, a PlayStation 4 and Xbox One game.
Demos[]
- Final Fantasy XIII-2 demo
- Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII demo
- Crystal Defenders demo
Related titles for PS3[]
- Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 ReMIX (2013)
- Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 ReMIX (2014)
Limited editions[]
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children Complete[]
This bundle was released in Japan along with Advent Children Complete and a copy of the Final Fantasy XIII demo. It prominently features Cloud Strife's Fenrir badge.
Final Fantasy XIII[]
This bundle was released on December 17, 2009 for the release of Final Fantasy XIII. It is a ceramic white 250GB PS3 slim with a pink image of the character Lightning on the surface. It also includes a white controller, as well as the limited edition version with Lightning on the cover of the game. This bundle was only available in Japan.
A similarly themed PlayStation 3 controller was also sold with the Chinese edition of Final Fantasy XIII upon that edition's release. The bundle included a ceramic white controller with a pink image of Lightning on the bottom right, the Chinese edition of the game, and a special PlayStation Network card for an avatar download.
Final Fantasy XIII-2[]
This bundle was released in Japan on December 15, 2011 for the release of Final Fantasy XIII-2. It is a black 320GB PS3 slim with a white image of Lightning from a promotional poster, with hot-pink accents.
A special edition Mog PlayStation 3 was available for prize winners of the Word to your Moogle tour.
Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII[]
A special controller for Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII was announced. It was manufactured by HORI, sports the logo for the game and comes with a special cleaning cloth. It does not support wireless gameplay as it is a cabled controller. It was released on November 21, 2013.[2]
Another limited-edition controller was provided as a Gamestop exclusive, sporting a lightning decal throughout the controller while also featuring an image of the game's internal clock.
Gallery[]
External links[]
- Wikipedia's entry on PlayStation 3
- American PlayStation 3 Site
- Official Australian PS3 site
- Official European PlayStation 3 Site