Sony to Close PS3 and PS Vita Digital Stores in 2027, Rare Physical Game Prices Surge Nearly 400%
Sony Interactive Entertainment announced in early July that it will close the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita digital stores globally by July 2027. The news triggered a surge in prices for rare physical PS3 games, with some titles rising nearly 400%. The action platformer Puppeteer, previously sold for $60-$70, now fetches over $200 on eBay. Other exclusives like Folklore and 3D Dot Game Heroes also saw significant increases. The closures will be phased, with some regions starting in 2026.
In early July, Sony Interactive Entertainment announced that it will close the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita digital stores globally in July 2027. Following the announcement, prices of rare physical PS3 games on the secondary market surged rapidly, with some titles rising nearly 400%.
Among the price increases, the action platformer Puppeteer, developed by a Japanese studio, showed the most dramatic movement. Previously, its complete physical edition sold for around $60 to $70, but now transaction prices on platforms such as eBay commonly exceed $200, with some reaching $300. Notably, the digital version of the game is still available for $14.99 on the US PlayStation Store.
Other PS3 exclusive games have followed a similar trend. The role-playing game Folklore rose from approximately $40-$50 to $120-$150, while 3D Dot Game Heroes has also broken through the $100 mark.
Not all PS3 games have seen significant price increases. Analysis shows that the price surge is concentrated mainly on PS3 exclusives with limited print runs. In contrast, mass-produced titles such as Infamous and Infamous 2 have not experienced notable price increases, indicating that the current buying frenzy is selective rather than widespread.
According to Sony's official announcement, the PS3 store closure will be phased: Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua will see closures starting in August 2026, followed by other Latin American and Middle Eastern countries by the end of 2026, and the global closure of PS3 and PS Vita stores in July 2027. After the stores close, users will still be able to re-download previously purchased content for the "foreseeable future."
Sony stated that the closures are due to the PS3 and PS Vita no longer being able to support the requirements of modern commercial systems and payment processing standards. This is not the first time Sony has attempted to close these stores – a similar plan in 2021 was cancelled after strong opposition from players.
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