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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →To use RPCS3, install the emulator, install official PS3 system software from Sony through RPCS3’s firmware menu, then add your legally obtained game using the workflow for its source: a dumped Blu-ray disc or digital PSN content. Check the exact game in RPCS3’s live compatibility list before expecting it to run. RPCS3 is emulator software; it does not supply games or Sony firmware.
1. Install RPCS3 for your computer
Download RPCS3 from the official RPCS3 project site. The project supports Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD; follow its current Quickstart guide for the installation steps, system requirements, and any platform-specific dependencies. Requirements depend on the operating system and hardware, so use that living guide rather than relying on older minimum-spec lists. On Windows, the project README calls out the Visual C++ Redistributable; also keep your graphics drivers current. RPCS3’s README describes the project as a free, open-source PlayStation 3 emulator and debugger.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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God of War: Saga - Dual Pack | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Call of Duty: Black Ops - Playstation 3 (Renewed) | $14.92 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 - Playstation 3 (Renewed) | $9.62 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Call of Duty: Black Ops II - PlayStation 3 (Renewed) | $14.34 | Buy on Amazon |
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2. Install official PS3 firmware in RPCS3
RPCS3 needs PS3 system software. Download the official update file from Sony’s PS3 system software page, then in RPCS3 choose File > Install Firmware and select the downloaded update file. RPCS3’s Quickstart directs users to obtain firmware from Sony rather than from the emulator project.
Sony’s support page lists system software version 4.93, as of October 7, 2026; check the page for the current version when you download it. Sony also lists a minimum of 200 MB of free space for downloading the update to a PS3 hard drive or removable media. Those details describe Sony’s update information, not a separate RPCS3 storage requirement.
#1 Best Overall
- Includes
- God of War collections 1 and 2
- God of War 3
- God of War Collection (Chain of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta)
Do not confuse RPCS3 firmware installation with updating a PS3 console
Sony’s computer-to-console update procedure uses a FAT32 USB drive containing the folders PS3/UPDATE, with the update file named PS3UPDAT.PUP. That is for updating a physical console. In RPCS3, use File > Install Firmware; a USB drive is not a universal requirement for this menu operation.
3. Add the game according to its source
Disc dumps and digital PSN content are different formats and use different procedures. Follow RPCS3’s current Quickstart instructions for the source you have. Use games you obtained legally; requirements for making personal copies vary by jurisdiction, and this guide is not legal advice.
Rank #2
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
| Game source | What the workflow involves | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Blu-ray disc | Dump your own disc according to RPCS3’s current guide, then add the resulting title data. The Quickstart describes a title folder containing PS3_GAME and PS3_DISC.SFB. |
Use the current guide for dumping and supported file handling; do not assume a raw disc image or arbitrary downloaded files will work. |
| Digital PSN content | The Quickstart describes a workflow involving a PS3 system backup and extraction with ps3xport, including game data and licenses. | Check the live guide for current prerequisites and extraction steps. A package file by itself does not necessarily provide a usable, properly licensed game. |
Boot a disc title
If the title does not appear in RPCS3’s game list after you add its data, the Quickstart says you can choose File > Boot Game and select the title. Follow the live guide for the current way to locate and add the dumped game folder.
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Handle digital content separately
Do not treat a digital PSN game as if it were a disc folder. Follow the backup, license, and extraction steps in the current RPCS3 guide. The exact process may change, so use the instructions there rather than relying on a package file alone.
Rank #3
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
4. Check whether your particular game is supported
Search for the exact title in RPCS3’s compatibility list and read its current entry and linked game notes. Compatibility is title-specific and changes over time:
- Playable: listed as completable with playable performance and no game-breaking glitches.
- Ingame, Intro, Loadable, or Nothing: indicate progressively more limited outcomes; do not read them as a promise that the game can be completed.
The list’s status data changes frequently. A result for one title—or an older compatibility summary—does not establish how another game will run.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- This renewed game may come repackaged in a generic case. It has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
What you may need—and what you may not
- A PS3 console: may be needed for a particular disc-dumping or system-backup workflow, but the guide does not make a console necessary for every user or every source of game files.
- A physical game disc: is relevant if you are following the disc-dump path; it is not a substitute for checking applicable rules about copying games.
- A FAT32 USB drive: is specified by Sony for its physical-console update procedure and may be useful for some transfer or backup workflows, but it is not required for every RPCS3 firmware installation.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
