The 5 rarest PlayStation 3 games you'll never own

Anyone who owns a PlayStation 3 will tell you of the fantastic library of great titles that the console has. Many of the games released on the PlayStation 3 had incredible visuals, due to the power of the cell processor that was behind the power the console was known for. Some of the best PlayStation franchises that people love today got their start on the PS3, including beloved favorites like Uncharted and The Last of Us. But the PlayStation 3 had more than just blockbuster hits that gamers around the world love to play. The console also had its fair share of gems that collectors love to hunt for.

Some PlayStation 3 games have become incredibly rare and valuable over the years since the console receded into the background. Unfortunately, not everybody will be able to add these games to their collection because of how elusive they have become. If you want to get your hands on these PS3 gems, you'll have to pay dearly for them. Here are 5 of the rarest PlayStation 3 games that you'll never own.

5 Rain (Digitales release)

A nearly invisible printing

Rain is an adventure game developed by Acquire and Japan Studio that was released worldwide on the PlayStation Network in 2013. The plot focuses on a young boy who sees a girl who can only be seen when it is raining outside. The two of them are pursued by invisible beasts known as The Unknown, which can also be noticed when it is raining outside. Rain received a mixed response upon release, with many praising it for the artistic concept that made for interesting gameplay, but criticized it for some of the more confusing aspects involving puzzles and other parts of the game.

Rain was released digitally on the PlayStation Network, but there was a limited printing of the game in certain regions. Most of the physical copies of the game were based in Japan and Hong Kong, often without an English translation, but some copies managed to get into other territories as well. The Digitales physical release of Rain is a highly valued item that many PS3 collectors hold in high regard. A loose disc of Rain is valued at just under $300 without the box. A complete copy of the game is worth more, being valued at nearly $500 in some auctions online.

Chill out under the sea

The PlayStation 3 has a few games that are considered to be very relaxing, with a focus on presentation rather than action. Aquanaut's Holiday: Hidden Memories is one such game that lets players explore the depths of the ocean, surrounding themselves with various underwater sea creatures. The game allows players to freely explore the area, where they can solve mysteries and dive deeper into the ocean with the wildlife they encounter. Although there is a plot to follow involving a missing scientist, most of the experience involves the calm vibes of being in the great ocean.

Aquanaut's Holiday only had a limited run of physical copies for the PlayStation 3. The game is mostly available in Japan, but doesn't have an English translation. A version of it that does include an English translation is only available in Southeast Asian territories. A loose copy of Aquanaut's Holiday is worth about $300 alone, but a complete-in-box version of the game increases in value to about $400. Some auctions have been known to sell the game for nearly $1000.

3 Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning (Signature Edition)

A fantastical variant

When Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning was first released, it was met with a mixed reception and a bit of controversy. The closure of 38 Studios, the developer of the game, impacted the overall perception of Kingdoms Of Amalur because of financial troubles that were happening at the studio. Eventually, a re-release of the game happened on multiple platforms, allowing people to re-evaluate Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning and praise it for its gameplay and visuals. The re-release, titled Kingdoms Of Amalur: Re-Reckoning, also had an expansion that wasn't included in the original release. The main game is an action-RPG set in the world of Amalur, a mythical setting with many staples of classic fantasy storytelling. Players take on the role of the Fateless One and engage in a variety of quests that put them into many battles as an epic story unfolds.

By itself, Kingdoms Of Amalur: Reckoning can be found for the PS3 at reasonable prices. But a variant of the game called the Signature Edition is much more valuable. That version comes with a number of collectibles in a big box, along with a Prismere Troll statue and a sketch print that was made by Todd McFarlane. The bundle without all of its components is worth around $400, but a complete version of the Signature Edition is valued at around $600, with some auctions selling it at higher prices. Much of the value most likely comes from the troll statue and the Todd McFarlane print alone.

2 The Last of Us (Post-Pandemic Edition)

A box of rare goodies

The Last of Us is arguably the biggest release in the PlayStation 3 library. The game became so popular, it went on to have a sequel that received just as big of a reception as the first game. A lot of the praise for The Last of Us isn't solely for its great-looking visuals and solid third-person action gameplay, but for its mature, cinematic, and shocking approach to storytelling within games. People connected deeply with characters like Joel and Ellie, as they try to survive in a world hit by a massive plague that turns people into horrible monsters. But it's not just the infected that are cause for concern; the people who survive as the last groups of humanity begin to lose themselves in a world that is on the brink of being torn apart.

A special edition of the game is rare due to the popularity that The Last of Us garnered. The Post-Pandemic Edition of The Last of Us comes with the game, a steel case, hardcover art book, and a copy of a tie-in comic for the series. But this edition also came with a statue of Joel and Ellie together, making it a very coveted item for fans of the series. A loose copy of this edition without the packaging is worth around $1,000 alone, but a complete version is much more valuable to everyone. Some complete-in-box copies of the Post-Pandemic Edition can be worth nearly $2,000 in some auctions, especially if all of its contents are accounted for. People really love The Last of Us for many reasons, and would jump at the chance to own one of the first big editions of the original game before the series skyrocketed in popularity.

1 NBA Elite 11

Didn't make it to the court

One of the rarest PlayStation 3 games has an interesting set of circumstances. NBA Elite 11 is a basketball game that was supposed to be a follow-up to the NBA Live series, but is the only entry to have the name NBA Elite. Many improvements over the previous NBA Live entry were made, including modified controls for actions like dribbling and shooting a basket. The game released on iOS devices in 2010, but was also planned for a release on both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Unfortunately, the game was canceled before then, but physical copies of NBA Elite 11 managed to get to some stores and copies circulated around.

For many PS3 collectors, NBA Elite 11 is an incredibly rare gem for the console. Despite some copies going out into stores, it's very hard to find one that anyone is willing to sell. A boxed copy of the NBA Elite 11 is valued at around $3,000, with some auctions going even higher to sell the game for over $5,000. In 2022, an auction for NBA Elite 11 on eBay had the game selling for $17,500. For such a rare game that wasn't intended to be sold, it's no wonder that it demands high prices from collectors who want the chance to include it within their PS3 collections.

The most expensive PS3 gems

The PlayStation 3 was a great console that had interesting and fun games to play, many of which became massive hits. However, a few PS3 titles have become rare and elusive enough that most people will never get to own them. You might love the PS3 more than most other people, but chances are you won't be able to add some of these rare PlayStation 3 gems to your own collection. At least not without paying out a hefty amount of cash for them.