Just buy cheapest ps5. Older ps games are available on their psplus service i think its called.

Ps plus has lots of PS3 games but you can't play the discs. I have the digital and regret it because I have to be VERY careful about what games I buy because if they suck, I'm stuck with them. If I buy a disc, at least I can sell it

The digital PS5 can only play games bought off the PS Store, whereas the disc PS5 can so both. However, unfortunately, the PS5 doesn't recognise PS3 discs, so whilst you can play PS3 games on the PS5 (I'll let you know how in a sec), you can't use your PS3 discs.

However, there is good news! You CAN play PS3 games on PS5 via the PS Store. They have a catalogue of games available to download. Unfortunately, you'll have to be subscribed to a relevant PS Plus plan for that, though.

You can also play PS4 games (Physical Disc or Digitally) on PS5 too, which is nice. I definitely recommend getting a PS5 and skipping over the PS4 console entirely, but you can still play PS4 games that have previously released, and more good news is that most of them are a low price now.

The PS5 is a good upgrade from the PS4 in terms of hardware, and it's a very smooth experience, though you may be slightly overwhelmed at first, coming from a PS3. I also recommend keeping your PS3, though, as there's only a selection of PS3 games available on the catalogue. But the amount of great games on both PS4 and PS5 will ensure you don't leave your house for a while 😅

Last but not least, if there is a PS4 & PS5 version of a game, buy the PS5 version if you can, upgraded graphics, stability, frame rates, it's just overall better.

if you can afford it, the leap to ps5 is very nice. but I think for the price, a ps4 would definitely be a fun experience as well. you can usually find a cheap used one on facebook marketplace or somewhere else

[removed]

The greatest leap for me is not PS5 graphics, but load times. It’s so fast that it greatly improves the gaming experience.

Straight into games in under a minute. Jump to another gene for 10 and back almost instantly.

I went digital only as I hate discs. I hate swapping them, putting them back in the box. I hate keeping them clean.

Emmy personal recommendation would be Digital only PS5, with PSN subscription to get access to hundreds of classic ps3 and 4 games.

I recommend keeping your PS3 in good shape and keeping it. I've never sold any of my systems going back to the first Nintendo. I can't walk away from some games, and not all games are available.

The digital is a little cheaper, but then the only ways to acquire games is either a PS Plus subscription or by buying games on the PS store. The disc version costs $100 more, so you might save money in the long run as used games go cheaper faster than digital discounts.

You can't put PS3 discs in, but the PS Plus Premium subscription has a lot of PS3 games you can play via cloud. It costs $17.99 per month (and not really worth it in my opinion).

Yeah, the jump to PS5 is worth it. It includes the entire PS4 library, but with many improvements to the games like framerate and loading times.

There are also a couple PS3 games in the store.

You can get PS+ for $60 a year (or $30 on sale) and it gets you 2-3 free games a month. Very worth it.

Are there games on the ps5 you want to play? If not I'd just wait.

I'm 57, so your generation :) I have the PS5 UHD drive version. The big advantages of that version there is a UHD (4K Blu-ray) drive for watching 4K movies /Blu-Ray /DVD (or having the option if you have a 4K TV later) or buying used games or physical games from any resellerother than Sony directly. The other PS5 you can buy is the digital version which requires an internet connection and you have to buy everything directly from Sony's Digital Store which requires you to download the game from Sony, but it is cheaper. If you do not have a good broadband internet connection the digital version may not be for you. If you are new to the digital store and have some patience that we get as we get older you can save a lot of money because most games will go on sale for like 30% off after a few months after release. Edit: It may be obvious, but if you have the UHD drive version, you can still buy games form the Sony Playstation store.

Thank you for the breakdown. Definitely things to consider!

A lot of info to digest and consider! Thank you for taking the time to educate me😊

I have been watching those sales too!

Thank you for the information. Looks like I definitely need a PSN subscription. An added cost I wasn’t planning on, but can figure out for sure!

I truly wish I had all of my systems still!

Wow. I didn’t know it would be that much a month. I’ll have to decide if that’s the route I want to take.

Oh! I was wondering what the PS+ gave you and if it was worth it - thanks!!

There’s barely anything I want to play (new to me) on the PS3, I don’t know what I would wait for?

Thanks!

I'm just thinking that I wouldn't be upgrading to ps5 is there wasn't anything I wanted to play on it. Don't buy a console just to buy a console, maybe look up some games first and see if there is even anything you want before buying a console.

Panda makes some good points. PS5 w/ PS4 library is ideal. Huge number of superb 10-15 dollar games. Ps plus is probably a waste, until you're burning through multiple games each month. Definitely keep the ps3 tho.

You raise a valid point. I need to research games more before making a decision!

I would suggest saving up a bit and upgrading to a ps5 disc edition with ps plus premium. That way, you'll have access to the ps5 and ps4 library, and the ps+ premium tier gives you full access to a digital/cloud streaming backlog of games from ps1-ps3. I would normally say just go ps4, but in terms of long term support, backwards compatibility, and the streaming/downloadable catalog, the ps5 will give you far more bang for your buck at this point in the game.

So much info! Does the ps+ charge per game or is just a flat rate to play older games? I’ve got research I need to do!

Flat rate for access to the "classics catalogue" as well as the standard ps+ benefits. It's 120 a year, but a once per year payment for access to a huge library of games. I rationalize it as way less than I spend on Netflix annually for a more useful service.

That’s not a bad fee at all for access to a library of games. I can work that into my budget. Thanks very much for the info, want to be sure I make the right decision!

No problem! One last thing - while you can download the games for PS1, PS2, PS4, and PS5, the PS3 games on the service are streaming only (I... don't really know why), so if you're in a bad area or have a spotty internet provider, that can be a barrier for that specific generation with the package. Other than that, it is a great value. I use it to expose my 5 year old to the games I played as a kid (he's fond of ape escape).

That’s interesting with the PS3 games. I’m guessing that I will find plenty of other games to entertain myself either the library you’ve described. I so appreciate your help!

[removed]