8 Best Digital-Only PS3 Games Still Worth Playing Today

The shift to games available only online was a curious period. Many games were overlooked simply because players couldn’t purchase a physical copy.

As a PlayStation fan, I really feel like a lot of modern games just blend together. But back in the PS3 days, the games that were *only* available digitally felt special. They had a distinct look and feel – you could always tell when you were playing one, compared to a game you bought in a store. It’s like they had their own personality!

These games might not have had big budgets, but they made up for it with unique style and charm. While the graphics weren’t as polished as those in major releases, they offered a lot of personality and a handcrafted feel that’s rare in big-budget AAA titles.

Let’s revisit some of the greatest games originally released for the PS3 that are still enjoyable now.

While many of these games became available on other consoles or in physical copies because they were so well-received, they all began as games you could only download on the PS3.

8. Infamous: Festival Of Blood

A Bloody Delight

The *Infamous* series was once a very popular Playstation exclusive, and even though the developers, Sucker Punch, haven’t focused on it recently, it’s still an enjoyable game. One notable entry, *Infamous: Festival of Blood*, was a Playstation 3 exclusive available only digitally, and it featured the main character, Cole, battling vampires in a spooky adventure.

This vampire story offers a fresh take on the genre, giving you superpowers while making the vampires themselves genuinely frightening – far more terrifying than the usual depictions.

The game is really fun, building on the excellent gameplay of Infamous 2. It introduces cool new features, like Cole gaining vampire powers and the ability to drink blood. While it’s a relatively short experience, it’s definitely worth playing for anyone who enjoys the Infamous series.

7. Slender: The Arrival

The Internet’s Greatest Creation

Developer	Blue Isle Studios
Release Date	March 26th, 2013
Platforms	PC, PSN

If you’re a fan of horror games, you shouldn’t miss Slender: The Arrival. You play as a young girl with just a flashlight, and each level presents new goals as you try to avoid the terrifying Slender Man. He’s a truly frightening presence – sometimes he’ll just follow you, and other times he’ll actively chase you. When he appears, the screen will fill with static and the audio will distort, creating a genuinely chilling experience.

With Halloween approaching, this game is a fantastic choice for playing with friends. It’s easy to learn, consistently spooky, and a great way to enjoy a classic character.

Okay, so this game has different difficulty settings, which is great because it *is* pretty scary! Your flashlight is basically all you have to protect yourself, but you have to be careful with the battery – it drains fast if you leave it on too long. It’s not a super long game, but trust me, it’s one of those horror experiences that really sticks with you.

6. Bomberman Ultra

Rebooting A Classic

Developer	Hudson Soft
Release Date	September 19th, 2009
Platforms	PSN

Bomberman was once a hugely popular game series. Although its prominence faded after the Nintendo 64 era, many fans still hoped for a new installment that could recapture the classic gameplay with updated graphics.

Bomberman Ultra really nails what makes Bomberman so great. It keeps the classic, addictive gameplay we all love, but adds some smart new features, like letting you build and customize your own character.

As a fan, I’m really impressed with how much replayability this game has! There are a whopping 150,000 different ways to build things, plus tons of maps and level designs. It means the gameplay stays fresh and challenging for a seriously long time, which is awesome.

5. Helldivers

Top Down Bliss

While Helldivers 2 is currently a huge hit, the original Helldivers game laid the groundwork. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a fun, top-down shooter that was especially enjoyable with friends, both on the couch and online.

The original game focused on a campaign, where you fight alien bugs using different weapons and call in artillery strikes. It’s similar to Helldivers 2, but without the same level of dramatic presentation.

While the game’s graphics were decent, its biggest strength was the cooperative campaign – you could play with up to three friends. The inclusion of friendly fire added a layer of strategy and unpredictable fun, as accidental teamwork was just as common as coordinated attacks. It’s a challenging game, which might have held it back from wider recognition, but it remains a standout title among PS3’s digital exclusives.

4. I Am Alive

The World After

I Am Alive stands out as one of the more ambitious games available for the PS3’s digital library. Set after a devastating global disaster called ‘The Event,’ the game focuses on surviving in the ruined world it leaves behind. You’ll spend most of your time climbing and carefully navigating the remains of a destroyed city, all while keeping an eye on your energy levels.

Surviving isn’t just about the environment; you’ll also encounter other people. While you can often talk your way out of trouble, sometimes fighting is unavoidable, and the game provides a range of weapons to do so. The combat system is interesting – if you hesitate too long when aiming, enemies will anticipate your move and attack first.

While it doesn’t reach the heights of games like The Last of Us or Uncharted, this game offers a fresh experience in a similar style, delivering around 5+ hours of exciting gameplay. That’s a rare find among digital-only games originally released on the PlayStation 3.

3. NFL Blitz

Arcade Football Madness

NFL Blitz captures the fast-paced, over-the-top excitement of classic arcade football games from the late 90s. It’s not realistic, but it’s incredibly enjoyable.

This game features the official NFL license, giving you every team and player you’d expect. The gameplay is all about exciting, hard-hitting action – think big tackles, devastating hits on receivers, and the kind of aggressive plays that would get penalized in a real NFL game.

NFL Blitz is a fun, multiplayer football game with several different ways to play. While the graphics aren’t cutting-edge, they’re perfectly fine for enjoying some over-the-top, unrealistic football action. It’s designed as a nostalgic experience, making it a great choice if you’re looking to recapture the feel of classic football video games.

2. Journey

The Meditative State

It’s hard to fully describe how special the game *Journey* is. Despite being short—only about two hours long—and having simple gameplay with understated visuals, it’s a truly beautiful experience when you play it.

Journey is a game best experienced to be understood. You simply travel towards a distant mountain. That’s the core of it. As you go, you’ll encounter puzzles, and you can meet other players who can assist you in solving them. What makes it special is its simplicity – it’s a remarkably powerful experience despite having very few elements.

This game evokes real emotion, and its sound design is truly exceptional – it captures that special feeling you only get from truly great games. It’s less about gameplay and more about a captivating experience, and it stands out as one of the best games available on the PS3.

1. Tokyo Jungle

Rumble In The Concrete Jungle

Tokyo Jungle is a truly unique game, available only on PlayStation 3. There’s nothing quite like it! You play as different animals trying to figure out what happened to all the people, and the game is a really fun and strange experience.

Compete against both AI-controlled animals for control of Tokyo’s streets and other players on global leaderboards. The game offers a surprising amount of content, including missions and challenges beyond typical animal battle games.

Playing as animals like giraffes, dogs, and cats is as strange as you’d imagine! The fighting can be quite violent, so it might not be for animal lovers, but everyone else will find it’s a uniquely fun and memorable part of video game history.

2025-10-06 20:11