PS3s

PS3s refers to the PlayStation 3 family of home video game consoles produced by Sony Computer Entertainment. Released starting in 2006, the PS3 was the third generation of Sony’s PlayStation line and competed with other contemporary systems such as the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii. It combined gaming with multimedia capabilities and online features that expanded over its lifespan.

The PS3 features a custom Cell-based processor and an Nvidia graphics processor, along with built-in Blu-ray Disc playback, which allowed large game data storage and high-capacity movie discs. It offered online connectivity through the PlayStation Network, enabling digital distribution via the PlayStation Store, online multiplayer, streaming services, and media streaming. The console supported various media formats and, in later revisions, HDMI output for high-definition video and audio.

Models and revisions varied across the PS3’s production run. Early hardware units offered broad backward compatibility with PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 1 software, but later revisions dropped most or all PS2 compatibility. Controller design evolved from the Sixaxis to the DualShock 3, which included rumble functionality. The physical design also changed through generations: the original “fat” model, the smaller and more energy-efficient “slim” model, and the later “Super Slim” redesign with a top-loading disc mechanism. Storage options were offered in multiple hard drive capacities and could be expanded by users.

Production of the PS3 ended in 2017, with Sony continuing to support online services for some time thereafter. The PS3 helped popularize Blu-ray as a media format, built a large library of exclusive and cross‑platform titles, and laid groundwork for the subsequent PlayStation 4.