100 Underrated/Hidden Gem PS3 Games

While we are all familiar with the PS3 big hitters like the Grand Theft Auto series and the Naughty Dog games, there are many, many other titles that fell through the cracks. In this video, we examine 100 titles that deserved better receptions/sales than they actually received.
Some of these titles are genuinely brilliant, but just didn't have the marketing budget; some were great games, but just me-too products released into an over-saturated market; some of them were flawed in one way or another, but still hid a great gameplay experience beneath a rough surface; and some of them were decently regarded at the time, but have just plain faded from memory. Most of these have committed cult followings from passionate gamers who just know a good game when they see one!
If you are new to the PS3 - or just don't know much about its library, please sit back and enjoy this video. Hopefully a few games will jump out and grab your attention.
A personal pet peeve I have is a game that gets unfairly critically mauled which then leads to a pile-on from ignorant gamers who have never touched it. All I can say is this: if you haven't played it, then you probably don't have a valid opinion on it - so please keep it to yourself, thanks. It's because of people like you that I don't have my Splatterhouse sequel. Jerks.
And as usual, for our Patreon subscribers, here is a Steam Key!
MNPJ4-2PE5P-T6BLE
If you like this video and would like to help support us, please consider becoming a patron! www.patreon.com/garyretrogamer?fan_landing=true
COMPLETE GAME LIST:
1. 3D Dot Game Heroes
2. Afro Samurai
3. After Burner Climax
4. Alice Madness Returns
5. Anarchy Reigns
6. Asura's Wrath
7. Binary Domain
8. Bionic Commando
9. Bladestorm
10. Blood Knights
11. Bloodrayne Betrayal
12. Blur
13. Bourne Conspiracy, The
14. Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
15. Bulletstorm
16. Bureau, The: X-Com Declassified
17. Call of Juarez Gunslinger
18. Child of Eden
19. Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Athena
20. Condemned 2
21. Dante's Inferno
22. Darkness, The
23. Darkness 2, The
24. Dark Sector
25. Dead Nation
26. Deadpool
27. Dead Rising 2: Off the Record
28. Dead Space Extraction
29. Deathspank
30. Deception IV: Blood Ties
31. Def Jam ICON
32. Drankengard 3
33. Dungeon Siege III
34. Earth Defence Force Insect Armageddon
35. El Shaddai: Ascent of the Metatron
36. Enslaved: Odyssey To the West
37. Eternal Sonata
38. Fist of the North Star: Ken's Rage
39. Far Cry: Blood Dragon
40. FEAR 3
41. Folklore
42. Fuse
43. Genji: Dawn of the Blade
44. GoldenEye 007: Reloaded
45. Hard Corp Uprising
46. House of the Dead: Overkill
47. Hunted: The Demon's Forge
48. James Bond: 007 Bloodstone
49. Joe Danger
50. JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: All Star Battle
51. Killer is Dead
52. Knights Contract
53. Last Guy, The
54. Lollipop Chainsaw
55. Lost Planet 3
56. Maijin and the Forsaken Kingdom
57. Mini Ninjas
58. Naughty Bear
59. Noby Noby Boy
60. No More Heroes: Heroes Paradise
61. Outland
62. Painkiller: Hell and Damnation
63. Prince of Persia
64. Prototype 2
65. Puppeteer
66. Quantum Theory
67. Rage
68. Rain
69. Red Faction: Armageddon
70. Renegade Ops
71. Resonance of Fate
72. Ruse
73. Saboteur, The
74. Shadows of the Damned
75. Shank
76. Sine Mora
77. Siren Blood Curse
78. Spec Ops: The Line
79. Spider Man Shattered Dimensions
80. Splatterhouse
81. Split Second
82. Stranglehold
83. Syndicate
84. Thunder Wolves
85. Tokyo Jungle
86. Tornado Outbreak
87. Transformers: War for Cybertron
88. Turok
89. Unreal Tournament 3
90. Viking Battle of Asgard
91. Warhammer 40: Space Marine
92. Way of the Samurai 4
93. Wet
94. Wheelman
95. White Knight Chronicles
96. Wizardry Labyrinth of Lost Souls
97. Wolfenstein
98. Wolf of the Battlefield
99. WWE All Stars
100. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
101. Yakuza Dead Souls

[@GaryRetroGamer]

NOTE: Game title #32 should be "Drakengard 3". Thanks @Sebastian Farcas for pointing this out!

[@trueneese8080]

Thanks for the video, nicely done

[@ianlee2840]

Where was that one game where the Main character slays robots in prison I don’t know the name of the game tho

[@southplaq2887]

Fun fact: Rage was actually going to be a PS3 exclusive in the early stages of development. Bethesda coming in and buying-out id Software put an end to exclusivity talks, but this is the main reason why Rage is so well optimized on the PS3, as it was the primary platform of development for the game.

[@rsplayz7777]

Having Carmack on lead didnt hurt either :D

[@pepomega]

@@rsplayz7777 on ps3 /x360 era, nearly all multiplatfform games ran better on 360.

[@gregwilliams4926]

Seeing games like these make me think that game hunting and collecting ended in the PS3 era. All these can fit in your console and hardly any of this is on PS4, most of these are fun and not broken to shit. Hell, once quarantine was over I specifically hunted down PS3 games and I loved every single one of them. Mirror's Edge, Binary Domain, Xmen Origins, Ratchet & Clank HD collection, Transformers War for Cybertron, Max Payne 3, Black Ops, Smackdown VS Raw 2011, Unreal Tournament 3 and Lost Planet 2. I have over 200 PS3 games while PS4 is just under 40 and it uses 1 1/2 TB of storage. To me, the Ps4 era is a massive let down and from here on out it'll just get worse and worse. All big named developers swapped to this greedy business practice, game development is harder and can't make underrated games people want to see back like Viewtiful Joe. 4K Gaming is making your storage even more cluttered, most of the damn library is last gen but sprinkled with 1080p 60fps with hardly any content changed or added, for god's sake why do we need another Spider-Man PS4, GTAV and DMC5 when they're already backwards compatible???

[@duke3250]

My man needs a gaming pc

[@Livingtree32]

"Once quarantine was over" Where do you live? In my country it's still going on

[@vrubayka]

Because greed, they could have easily made patches for the backwards compatible versions like they did for ghost of tsushima and days gone

[@localdude2979]

So this is what they call, a gamer, i just like a couple of games, infamous and prototype to name my fave of all time, followed by gta and then god of war franchise is somwthing i like but gameplaywise when it comes to the map it sucks

[@wb6930]

And that's why cloud gaming is becomung increasingly popular, check out XCloud and Stadia

[@Nicomanism]

Puppeteer is a super hidden platforner gem . The direction in that game is unique .

[@atheismcrew1524]

Not hidden with the many reviews of it online.

[@Nicomanism]

@@atheismcrew1524 ...well duh.

[@GrumpyCat97]

PS2 and PS3 era were peak, i miss those times

[@sfc3439]

PS2, PSX then PS3

[@mistayuto]

Gary I don't comment very often on your videos but rest assured I use them as reference for when I buy games on the older systems. Thank you for your videos mate.

[@DanceMan1995]

Great selection, for the second part with another 100 games hopefully include Remember Me, Vanquish, Venetica, X-Blades and Blades Of Time.

[@gabrielcastejon7914]

Vanquish too underated

[@DanceMan1995]

Also include Amy and Onechanbara Z Kagura with Nonono

[@stefanchernev4996]

@@gabrielcastejon7914 It was quite repeаtative. Otherwise it was nice.

[@localdude2979]

@@stefanchernev4996 agree, ive played that shit and it was quite fun

[@ihreMaskeSitztNichtRichtig]

Vanquish what a funbeast

[@AyaneOfDeath]

Great List. I played nearly every Title on it. There are really underrated Gems like Binary Domain or Asuras Wrath.

[@AsaBigthumb]

Ones I like Spec ops 15:27 Shank 14:50 Majin and the forsaken kingdom 11:02 Dante’s eferno 4:03 Bullit storm 2:49 Alice’s madness returns 0:40 X men orgins wolverine 19:50

[@alistairstewart9975]

Great list and well made video. Lots of games for me to track down now.

[@mitchbradley4828]

This brought back so many memories when I was younger ! 🥲 i played 56 of these games Alice madness returns was such a great game I remember

[@jameboston]

Going through the RPCS 3 now and it runs flawlessly. I also love the list of games you've got here - thanks mate.

[@Great_Watt]

Hard Corps: Uprising is the last great Contra game. It IS a Contra game (it's set in the Contra universe and you play as characters from that universe), so I have no idea why they didn't include the Contra name in the title, but it's essentially a refined version of the classic gameplay, with updated Anime style graphics and a progression mode where you earn XP and level up your character (or you can just play the classic, hard-as-heck arcade mode). They should release another of these.

[@kemouse]

Loved Alice Madness Returns. Played through twice.

[@Ooo0990]

Condemned2,chronicles of riddick,bulletstorm,bourne,the saboteur,stranglehold and dead rising are all instant classics for me

[@OreVsWorld]

These games are true hidden gems. Great video

[@mikejenkins4924]

I find it ironic though that at the time of release, a lot of these were poorly received, or just got middling reviews.

[@superduperjew]

everything looks good compared to a lot of the trash being pushed out the door today

[@frenchskuxx]

Ps3 games were not appreciated enough

[@CrazyFriendlyGamerAlex]

Nice list, Gary) Sadly I don't own PS3 anymore but I can always dream^^

[@koosa6289]

Great list. I'd personally also add Deadly Premonition, Worms Ultimate Mayhem, Singularity and Silent Hill Downpour.

[@SteveMassart]

Singularity definitely 👍🏼

[@Rachel-96]

@Limited Infinity Downpour and homecoming were horrible

[@Bole_ZG]

Lot of good games, but some are must play. Like Binary Domain,3D Dot Heroes,a lot of games from Starbreeze,Grasshopper (Suda 51) games. I miss those mid tier/AA games from big publishers like Singularity or Darkness when they didn't spend much money on promotion of game, you know if game is good from word of mouth etc. Now we have indies and AAA,ok we get few mid tier games, but far less than PS3/PS2 era.

[@lorenzoalvarez8867]

As always, your lists are very awesome

[@alcatrazdunhill8895]

Blur deserves sequel or remake, it is satisfying

[@kbuck42]

What a great video! I love my PS3 and was happy to see such an awesome list of games. Some I had, some I'm gonna check out. Thank you for putting this together. Subbed.

[@condaos2dani]

Finalmente uma lista de verdade. Parabéns pelo vídeo.

[@dranimations7902]

I agree with most games on this list - Condemned 2 is great especially the bit where the huge killer bear is after you - also Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom is a wonderful game. I would also say Eat Lead The return of Matt Hazard is better than people think - not the best game but it has some brilliant moments. Monster Madness also.

[@joelsterling3735]

I can confirm Dante's Inferno is legit. I loved that game so much I played it about 4 times all the way through.

[@robertg6339]

Dantes inferno was great. Coming from a catholic background I think added to it. For me at least.

[@The_Cooler_Will]

I remember reading about Folklore on a magazine way back in 2006. The game was going to have another name, and was would be a horror game but somehow they ended up making an action rpg lol... Good times.

[@kiskeangel2760]

Great video. My fav one of the list is Eternal Sonata,such a great story and soundtrack (the game is about one of the best composers of all time,Frederic Chopin).It's an amazing action rpg with charming characters,for sure one of the best games I've ever played.

[@solusludum]

Very nice video, a lot of games hot as hell, big thanks for that kind of work! Excellent video I would say! BIG THX MAN!

[@dmitryrama]

0:41 Alice Madness returns is one of my favourite game, The symbolism in this game is so vivid. The dolls with the gaping holes at the place of their mouths and crotch emphasizes the horror of sexual abuse of children. I also loved the visual design, musical score, tone and voice acting of the game. Each aspect reinforces the message and ambiance of the game so masterfully. How blessed are we to have experienced this piece of art!

[@moriahterry2106]

Thanks for always making these lists.

[@wastelandwanderer2693]

A lot of these games are on Xbox 360 as well so thanks to backwards compatibility on Xbox One, I was always able to play a good chunk of the games on this list. It's a shame Sony made the PS3 so weird because the PS4 and now PS5 can't play any of these games, unless you have PS Now, but it depends on if you have good internet to stream those games.

[@Benger2185]

Microsoft took their time with backwards compatibility because their ports were always developer friendly, regardless of architecture (PowerPc to x86-64) with Sony, they took risks in making custom cpus, for every generation, which always discombobulated compatibility (ps3 with the ps2 chip or ps2 emulator is imo the greatest playstation console ever), which is why they have playstation now, to eliminate errors when running games from previous architecture, since it's running from a server. It's amazing that there is a ps3 emulator, and it's even more amazing that the xbox series can emulate ps2 games through dev mode.

[@billcook4768]

Good stuff as usual. Extra thanks for some Stevie Wonder in the opening.

[@logannottheonefrommarvel9917]

Seeing as how the PS3 store is closing soon, this list is fairly important I'd say

[@diacoiraji5995]

The console itself (ps3) is also uderrated.It had great roster of exclusives and third party games.Good old times.

[@curiousmind_]

Also FREE ONLINE!!

[@CiScOx69]

Really good list of games. I would like to add one hidden gem to your list (Gundam Breaker 2) amazing game must play

[@marcelotorricomendez7723]

I'm gonna buy an hdd, I need all of them!, thanks Gary.

[@marcelotorricomendez7723]

@Armando Lopez hard disk drive

[@nayyarrashid4661]

Dungeon Siege 3 needs another sequel. I played through the first 2 games and was on the expansion to the second game when my laptop was broken. I never got to play the 3rd part even though i bought a PS3 which was the first console i bought but didn't know about the game

[@Frenezy1000]

Great vid

[@distractedgaming4526]

Who else is here in 2021, looking for last minute recommendations before the PS3 and PSvita PSN stores go down for good? :(

[@walkintobrickwallsfordays8756]

Nice

[@aliaselchicho369]

Damn!! ps3 sure has a huge library, this comes handy since I don't own a ps4 yet

[@UKEDNHAT7]

Split second deserves a sequel. Super unique game.

[@mgray6357]

I love that you added jojo all star battle

[@deathman656762]

Alot of these games were popular just not reviewed well by mainstream ign crap , most people know now a days not to trust them . Under-rated is the perfect name for this video . Good list

[@pikkisful]

The darkness games are fucking awesome, I wish they would make a third

[@russianFB7442]

Resonance of fate was great same with spec ops the line

[@trueneese8080]

I like how the sounds completely goes out for Def Jam and then: *Darkengard* 😂

[@trueneese8080]

And I’m not complaining it legitimately just made me laugh

[@felipeangel3267]

Best PlayStation3 compilation video!! Thank you

[@fanolinux]

really cool games, thanks for sharing!

[@muovd]

I was trying to find Shank for the longest time. Couldnt remember the name, but knew that it was the best ps3 game i have ever played (or maybe one of the best). I'm exited that it is op PC too, as i don't have my ps3 anymore and emulating doesn't work as well as playing the game normally on PC. Sad that i missed the steam sale for this game though, 9,99 for a game with such short playtime is a bit much for me. Just compare that to Terraria, which has near infinite playtime for the same price.

[@cptcap7531]

Bionic commando was my first ever PS3 game. I just bought it randomly cause my PS3 didnt include any.

[@HarriHaffi]

Tokyo jungle! Now there’s a game on the ps3 I really wanna play

[@DarkSoulx7]

Yakuza: Dead Souls is by far my favorite from the franchise. I hate that it's not a part of the Yakuza Collection on Steam.

[@chainsawmidnight]

forgot kane and lynch dog days, it wasnt perfect but it was fun.

[@caseykaty7543]

Shaunwhite snowbording is missing in the list i played that game with friends and cousins for many years i truly miss that game and time spent whi will beat score 😢😢

[@BubblyJubbly]

I’d add in Remember Me. Such an epic game.

[@DihStyle69]

a list of this kind without vanquish and singularity lowkey betrays its purpose but yea, not a bad selection of games overall.

[@GaryRetroGamer]

So, as mentioned in a few comments, titles like Singularity, Vanquish, Deadly Premonitions and Valkyria Chronicles are good candidates for the list. However, they were specifically omitted because those titles actually showed up in a the "Top 100 PS3 Games according to User Votes" video on this channel kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2aZq4afhbd7jbc ). A rule of thumb is that if a game makes it to a popular "Top 100" list, it's probably not so "underrated" or a "hidden gem" anymore. For example, Valkyria Chronicles has gone on to become a franchise in itself, and is quite popular. (In an earlier version of this video, Singularity and Vanquish were indeed included - but people complained that "these aren't obscure any more, everybody knows them bla bla bla")

[@bombjack1984]

Some good choices here, but how/what are you playing these on? A lot of 60fps footage for games that were only 30fps on PS3. Also, why the big borders?

[@limjiawei7446]

Love Drakengard 3 a lot but the game have frame rate issues.

[@playingwithtrainerspcmt6407]

Great video

[@DragonsDogmaEnjoyer]

Regret not getting 3D Dot when I could find for a good price.

[@eggetnoob539]

Still have splatterhouse on ps3, is brutal hard on the hardest 🤣

[@andy.91]

Very good selection

[@William5000000]

"Genji: Days of the Blade" is one of those games where it got pooped on by critics for its camera system (classic-styled "Resident Evil" games). Personally, I don't mind the fixed camera angles. It's a launch title, so it was to be expected. "Dark Sector" looks fun. Sure, it takes elements from "Resident Evil 4" and "Gears of War". But I like how they scream in agony when dying, as it's both funny and satisfying to me. "Conan (2007)" on PS3 is an underrated game, in my opinion. I know it plays like the first two "God of War" games, but I'd rather play that over the remastered "God of War" games on PS3. The reason why is because they don't have any extra content. "Stuntman: Ignition" on PS3 is another underrated game, in my opinion. Performing challenging stunts is fun. It's too bad the game didn't get much recognition when it was released. ---------- I could handle the PS3's rough launch with enough determination. But once Sony changed the original logo (and the original startup sound) in September 2009, the PS3 died for me. As a result, I either have no intention of playing the later games on PS3 or would rather play the later games on Xbox 360.

[@diegodylard5192]

never knew ps3 had different startups!

[@jackdeath3481]

Nice channel

[@MsGeorge50]

2, 6, 9, 11, 14, 32, 50, 54, 63, 75, 79, 92, 98, 99, 100

[@phatohoang448]

Very good list 👍

[@Rittberger.]

Nice top. And lots of hidden gems. But every top ends with WWE.

[@akihiko_yuhi1564]

came here looking for folklore and here it was

[@bradipodaguerra8760]

Blur was incredible!

[@dorondavid4698]

Well... Time to boot up my PS3!

[@handsomeasiandude1126]

When I see a ps3 game, I just see it as a PS4 game down scaled

[@rafaelo1013]

Great vid, just Chilli con carnage missing.

[@kropking]

That was a PSP game.

[@PelucheProductions]

just got puppeteer and splatterhouse and am excited

[@bayfinest1938]

I got two copy's of 3d dot at gamestop today

[@madnachte525]

Thank u so much for this video

[@SumoCurtain]

App|eciated list. I hope people have time to check these out while the PS3 store is still available.

[@athermahmood1065]

Excellent bro thank you. Hunting has begun...

[@AgosLive]

guys i have a 1440p monitor, would this affect the quality of games on my ps3? or is better a 1080p one ?

[@frenchskuxx]

I play ps3 on my 4k tv and it looks excellent, i guess it depends on the tv and its upscaling technology

[@marcoslinck7102]

Cara eu tava procurando o jogo 1 a muitooooo tempo e nao sabia o nome, muiitoooo obrigado

[@localdude2979]

Hey guys check out these amazing games from 2009 that premiered just weeks away from each other and are almost the spitting image of each other: inFAMOUS (by Sucker Punch) [PROTOTYPE] (by Radical Entertaiment) And a Bonus: MERCENARIES 2: WORLD IN FLAMES You can destriy every single building in this gta ish game and the map is quite HUGE.

[@Creepo_J]

Joe Danger on switch would be crazy

[@bassred7065]

Why they never made Split Second 2?

[@joshzumstien6289]

Will track down as many as I can on PS Now, thanks!

[@androhawkin3871]

Never hear Inversion as hidden gems on PS3 games 😓

[@ammatnatnurrestadious7533]

deception IV the nightmare princess??

[@m.t.i.4956]

Bir oyun var...hiç rahat yok.. Bulamıyorum yıllardır.

[@Brubabooy44]

Does anybody remember the one game where it was 3D and had some dude with white hand wrap around his hands and arms blue jacket I believe and his ability was he turned giant and would either punch opponents or grab them? I believe it was for the ps3/ps2 I very vaguely remember but I do know this is a game, if somebody knows this please let me know I’ve been looking for a long while now.

[@derpi3438]

try the subreddit r/tipofmyjoystick if you haven't had luck with it

[@WarriordefenderMexa1]

Resident Evil Umbrella and Darkside Cronicles????

[@dest151]

Let's see witch ones I'm missing:)

[@klemenhrovat1281]

Fuse has so much "gears of war" vibe

[@simiuciacia]

#32 you mean drakengard 3?!

[@GaryRetroGamer]

Argh. Thank you - yes that is a typo. It should indeed be Drakengard 3. I will post an errata. Thanks for letting me know!

[@ВладиславДомарэв]

Thank you 😌

[@benjicommentary]

Fist of the north star man that’s a good game

[@danielcarlsen8975]

Who remembers Warhawk?

[@ramseydoon8277]

Holy shit, Gary. You're a fuckin legend. History of fighting games tho!?⁉️👀😶‍🌫️🤯🥳

[@GaryRetroGamer]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3XGgGaEhbp7fs0

[@purplebatdragon]

A lot of these had the same problem: there were better games to be playing at the time. Sure, Deadpool is decent, but would anyone really choose that over games like GTA V, Bioshock Infinite, and The Last of Us that were coming out that year?

[@DihStyle69]

true. the only overlooked game that was at least as good as the more well-known and highly-paized games was "vanquish" but that one isn't actually on this list so yea.

[@rulo9440]

Blur is the best racing mario kart like video game ever!

[@upat3455]

I pray one day Way of the Samurai gets a sequel..........

[@elChirrinChirriondelDiablo]

No NieR? I’m shocked.

[@donone352]

It's not a hidden gem, everyone knows about that classic

[@MASJYT]

@@donone352 Dead Rising 2 was a hidden gem?

[@christovelcandra7033]

Asura wrath is the best