PlayStation 3 game emulation just hit a new milestone, as the developers of the open-source RPCS3 emulator stated that PS3 game discs can now be read directly from a supported disc drive and played within the popular emulator on PC. Though the PS3 never achieved the same success as its predecessors, Sony’s third home console still sold over 87 million units worldwide in its lifespan.
Although the PS3 initially struggled following its 2006 launch, the system was notable for being the first home console to play games and movies that utilize the Blu-ray Disc format. Over time, the price of the PS3 decreased as Sony released console revisions and bundles as a way to bring in new players. Eventually, sales of the PS3 caught up with its chief competitor, the Xbox 360. Though it was discontinued in 2017, the PS3 still receives periodic firmware updates from Sony that improve system security and performance.
PS3 Game Discs Can Now Be Played On PC
PS3 users who still have some game discs in their collections now have a new way to play them. RPCS3 posted on Twitter that a new update to the popular emulator allows users to play their PS3 game discs on PC by plugging in a supported Blu-ray Disc drive. RPCS3 said that two users, Megamouse and digant73, were primarily responsible for this breakthrough. RPCS3 ran a copy of Drakengard 3, also known as Drag-On Dragoon 3, as proof that the emulator can now read and play PS3 game discs. Along with its continued support for Windows 11, RPCS3 disc drive support is also now available on FreeBSD, macOS, and Linux.
However, users have other requirements to bear in mind. A six-core CPU paired with a GPU compatible with Vulkan 1.2 or newer is recommended to run PS3 titles in RPCS3 in a playable state. Additionally, Blu-ray Disc drives from brands like LG and Asus were tested to work with the latest RPCS3 update. In July 2026, RPCS3 reported that it was compatible with 75% of the PS3’s game library. Since over 2,300 titles were released physically and digitally for the PS3, at least 1,700 of those games can be played on the RPCS3 emulator.
GameRant Quiz
Easy (15s)Medium (10s)Hard (5s)
The news of RPCS3’s breakthrough could not be more timely for PS3 owners looking to preserve their game collections. In July 2026, Sony announced it was shutting down the PS3 version of the PlayStation Store in waves, with a complete shutdown by July 2027. Ergo, no new digital purchases of PS3 titles can be made once each country’s storefront has closed. While PS3 games that have already been purchased on the PlayStation Store can still be downloaded and installed past the shutdown, it is unclear how long that will remain possible.
With Sony doubling down on its controversial path toward digital exclusivity, game emulation and preservation remain a prominent point of discussion among gamers. With RPCS3 now including more ways for players to relive some of their favorite titles, time will tell if and when the emulator will achieve 100% compatibility with the PS3’s extensive game list.
Source: GamesRadar+
