Key Takeaways
1. Retro gamers without a PS3 console have limited options, mainly relying on cloud streaming via PS5 or the RPCS3 emulator.
2. The RPCS3 emulator has made significant progress, with 70.94% of PS3 titles now marked as “Playable.”
3. Around 26.19% of titles are “Ingame” but face glitches, while the number of games with no functionality is decreasing.
4. Technical challenges due to the PS3’s unique cell processor affect performance on modern PCs, with Sony exploring solutions alongside retro gaming specialists.
5. The RPCS3 emulator is set to improve graphics for more PS3 games in 2026 and has achieved support for ARM64 devices.
Retro gamers looking for a taste of the PlayStation 3 experience have limited choices. If they don’t have the original console, they must depend on cloud streaming games available on the PS5. Unfortunately, the selection is quite small, which makes the RPCS3 PS3 emulator a tempting choice. The software has reached a new compatibility milestone on systems like Windows and Linux.
Ongoing Improvements
As an open-source project, the emulator is continuously being enhanced by contributors. In a recap video from 2025, it was shared that 70.94% of PS3 titles are now “Playable.” Among the games that have seen significant progress is Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, which is featured in the latest updates.
Challenges Ahead
Another 26.19% of titles are marked as “Ingame,” but they suffer from glitches that prevent complete gameplay. The rest of the library either gets stuck on the starting screens or fails to launch entirely. Still, the number of games that have no functionality at all is gradually decreasing.
Developers have introduced steering wheel support and custom servers for games that lack online multiplayer options. For PS5 users, Sony’s approach to PS3 emulation feels incomplete in comparison. To access the Classics Catalog, players need to sign up for PlayStation Plus Premium. Even then, the cloud experience often doesn’t truly capture the original feel.
Technical Hurdles
The unique cell processor in the PlayStation 3 has created challenges when revisiting its games. Even on today’s PCs, using RPCS3 can be demanding on the CPU, which can limit framerates. Sony is still looking for an official fix but doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to address the issue. Reports suggest they have teamed up with retro gaming specialists Implicit Conversions, which might yield results in the future.
RedoEngine has also made strides with its own PS3 emulator on the PS5. This is not a community-run project and focuses on a narrower range of titles, such as Cloudberry Kingdom. Players can try out the RedoApps method by buying the game from the PlayStation Store.
In 2026, RPCS3 is set to enhance the graphics for more PS3 games across various platforms. Recently, support for ARM64 was achieved, enabling the app to run on devices equipped with Snapdragon X chips.
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