PS5 Sales Overtake PS3 as Console Market Enters New Phase

Horizon multiplayer project reveals live service direction as gameplay ambitions clash with controversial visual design choices.

Hardware by Okazaki on Feb 09, 2026

Sony is slowly shutting down the PlayStation 3, which marks the end of a protracted process of moving away from the device. Over the past few years, features have been removed one by one, making it less useful. People were angry about the planned closure of the PS3 digital store because PS3 titles still can't be played on PS4 or PS5. In the end, Sony kept the store open, although support for it mostly stopped after that.

In 2026, using a PS3 is no longer a smooth experience. The system is getting old, and it takes a long time to boot up and install discs. For many people, though, the PS3 was still a media gadget that worked quietly.

PS5 Sales Overtake PS3, as Console Market Enters New Phase, NoobFeed

That last bit of convenience is coming to an end. Netflix support on PS3 will end completely on March 2, 2026. The program won't work anymore, even if it's already installed. If you still use a PS3 as a second media box, you'll need to get a new one or a different PlayStation. It is a definite last step in Sony's move away from the platform.

Concerns about PS3 Streaming and Backward Compatibility

Changes to PlayStation Plus Premium made things worse. For months, streaming PS3 games has been hit-or-miss, and now it's completely disabled. Sony has also said that PS3 streaming could not be available at all in the future.

This has started up talk about PS3 emulation again. The team that developed the PS1 and PS2 emulators for PS5 has publicly said it is also working on PS3 emulation. There have also been allegations that Sony is actively sponsoring internal research to enable PS3 titles to run on modern technology. People are saying that the next generation of consoles could be called the "ultimate PlayStation" and be able to play games from the PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4, PSP, and PSVita as well as PS5 games.

It's important to keep prior generations accessible because the PS3 era still feels like modern gaming standards. Infamous1 and Infamous2 are still good games in terms of how they work and how they look. People are still interested in remastered PS3 games, including the Nathan Drake trilogy, which is still popular.

Remasters, Ports, and Missed Chances

For a while, Sony supported the PS3 catalog by releasing remasters, which continued until late 2025. The momentum slowed down. The Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 1 had people excited about a sequel that would include Peace Walker and Metal Gear Solid 4. Even though the Metal Gear series has been getting a lot of attention lately, Volume 2 has not yet come out.

Konami has said that it is still hard to transfer PS3 games, which shows how technically challenging the platform is. If Sony is completely ending support for the PS3, the lack of a long-term preservation plan remains a concern. The PS3 generation was a turning point in game design that still shapes it now, so it's upsetting for long-time players to see it slowly fade away.

More PlayStation 5s are Selling than PlayStation 3s

PlayStation 5 has already sold more units than the PS3, with over 92 million sold. Sales numbers aren't the only sign of success now, but the milestone is still important. At first, the PS3 didn't sell very well, but it picked up steam later and eventually beat its major competitor. In contrast, PS5 sales were brisk at first but have since slowed down.

There are a few reasons behind the plateau. Prices have not fallen since the debut, and in some cases, they have risen. Many early PS5 games were also available on PS4, so there wasn't much reason for PS4 owners to upgrade. Games like God of War Ragnarok ran well on the PS4 at 1080p30fps, making it less important to upgrade to new hardware.

Still, sales could pick up again. Big blockbusters like Wolverine, Forza Horizon 6, and Grand Theft Auto 6 are likely to bring back interest. GTA6, in particular, is expected to be a big reason people buy consoles, especially since it won't be coming to PC.

How Grand Theft Auto 6 Affects People

Grand Theft Auto 6 could change people's lives in this generation. In the past, Rockstar Games has set industry trends and generated significant revenue for the game development industry. That extra money typically lets publishers take more creative risks.

Soon, marketing for GTA 6 will start. Physical copies will be available at launch, and previews are planned. There is always a chance of delays, but the publisher's confidence suggests the game will release later this year. This is a big chance for Sony to boost PS5 sales during a quiet time.

Horizon Hunters Gathering and Multiplayer Direction

Horizon Hunters Gathering, a multiplayer game that has been speculated for a long time, has been formally announced by Sony and Guerrilla Games. Reports say development has been underway for almost 7 years. The game's art style is more stylized, which some people don't like, but its basic gameplay framework has piqued people's interest.

The design combines Monster Hunter-style fighting with progress that happens in sessions, like in Elden Ring Nightreign. Players enter a map, fight off smaller monsters, pick up random perks and gear, and get ready for the ultimate boss fight. Matches can be played by three people working together, and the fighting is based on aiming and smashing machine pieces effectively.

PS5 Sales Overtake PS3, as Console Market Enters New Phase, NoobFeed

Characters are based on classes, and more roles are planned for once the game comes out. Battle passes and cosmetic items will be the main ways to make money, while content updates will be free. The game will also be available on PC at the same time as PS5, to ensure there are many players from the start.

Presentation Is Not as Important as gameplay

People have said bad things about the art style, but the gameplay has gotten better reviews. The core loop brings together systems that are already acquainted in a way that seems organized rather than overwhelming. Extraction-style techniques are still rather unusual, but adding them to cooperative boss-focused gameplay makes things more interesting.

People still disagree on character design and visual direction. Still, the entire experience is more about mechanics than just how it looks. For live games, how well they work is more important than the idea behind them. If the combat, advancement, and content cadence stay strong, Horizon Hunters Gathering could find its audience even though people were skeptical at first.

Final Thoughts

One by one, video apps and streaming services that work with the PlayStation 3 are being taken off the market. PS5 is still getting known, even though sales are slowing down. People are excited for new games to come out. Big-name games and new service-based experiences are key to Sony's future. At the same time, the fate of older platforms depends on whether long-rumored efforts to emulate them actually happen.

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