To use RPCS3, install the emulator, install official PS3 system software from Sony through File > Install Firmware, then add your game using the workflow for its source: a dump of a Blu-ray disc or digital content and its license from a PS3 system backup. RPCS3 does not supply games. Before starting, check the exact title’s entry in the compatibility list and follow its current notes.
What you need before you start
- RPCS3: Download it from the official RPCS3 download page. RPCS3 is a free, open-source PlayStation 3 emulator and debugger; it does not include games. Its project README supports Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD and directs users to the Quickstart for current requirements. Follow the instructions for your operating system, including any platform-specific dependencies. Windows users should also have the Visual C++ Redistributable noted by the project. See the RPCS3 project README and Quickstart guide.
- Official PS3 system software: Get the update file from Sony’s PS3 system software page. RPCS3 requires firmware installed in the emulator before you use it.
- A legally obtained game in a usable form: Disc titles and digital PSN titles use different procedures. Use RPCS3’s current game-dumping instructions for your source and format; do not assume an arbitrary download or a disc image will work.
- A computer that meets current requirements: The Quickstart is the project’s source for current operating-system, CPU, GPU, and dependency requirements. Exact hardware minimums are not established here, so check that guide rather than relying on older requirements or a blanket performance promise.
Install RPCS3 and PS3 firmware
- Download RPCS3 from its official site and install or extract it using the current instructions for your operating system.
- Download the PS3 system software update from Sony’s official support page. Sony lists version 4.93 on that page as of October 7, 2026; the version can change, so use the file currently offered there.
- Open RPCS3 and choose File > Install Firmware. Select the downloaded firmware update file and let RPCS3 complete installation.
- Wait for the installation to finish, then proceed to add your game using the appropriate disc or digital-content workflow below.
This is different from updating a physical PS3. Sony’s computer-to-console instructions specify a FAT32 USB drive with folders named PS3/UPDATE and the update saved as PS3UPDAT.PUP. That USB procedure is for a console, not the RPCS3 firmware menu. Sony also lists a minimum of 200 MB free space for downloading the update to a PS3 hard drive or removable media.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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God of War: Saga - Dual Pack | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Call of Duty: Black Ops - Playstation 3 (Renewed) | $14.92 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 - Playstation 3 (Renewed) | $9.62 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Call of Duty: Black Ops II - PlayStation 3 (Renewed) | $14.34 | Buy on Amazon |
Add a game from a Blu-ray disc
RPCS3’s disc workflow is based on a dump of a game disc you obtained legally, not simply inserting the disc and expecting the emulator to play it. Follow the current RPCS3 Quickstart instructions for dumping your own disc and handling the resulting files. The guide’s search-result description identifies a typical Blu-ray title folder by the files or folders PS3_GAME and PS3_DISC.SFB; follow the live guide for the supported procedure and format.
Once you have the title data in the supported folder structure, you can place it in a games directory or another supported location. If it does not appear in the game list, use File > Boot Game and select the game’s supported title folder, following the current guide’s directions. Check the game’s own compatibility entry for any title-specific setup notes.
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- Includes
- God of War collections 1 and 2
- God of War 3
- God of War Collection (Chain of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta)
Add digital PSN content
Digital PSN games are not handled as though they were disc folders. RPCS3’s guide describes a workflow involving a PS3 system backup and extraction with ps3xport; digital content and its license are part of that process. Consult the current Quickstart guide for prerequisites, backup handling, and current file steps before proceeding.
A package file by itself should not be assumed to be a complete, usable, properly licensed digital game. Use content and license material obtained through a legitimate route, and follow the guide’s current instructions for installing and launching that content in RPCS3.
Rank #2
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
Disc dump or digital backup: which workflow applies?
| Your game source | What the workflow uses | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Blu-ray disc | A dump of the disc’s title data; a typical title folder is identified by PS3_GAME and PS3_DISC.SFB in the guide’s search-result description. |
Follow the live disc-dumping instructions, then add or boot the resulting title data. |
| Digital PSN content | A PS3 system backup and associated license material, handled using the extraction workflow described in the guide. | Follow the live backup and extraction instructions; do not treat a package file alone as sufficient. |
The exact required source materials and file handling depend on which route you use. A PS3 console, a physical disc, or a USB drive may be useful for a particular dump, backup, or transfer procedure, but none is a universal requirement for every RPCS3 user.
Check whether your specific game works
Search the RPCS3 compatibility list for the exact title and review its linked notes. The project defines Playable as completable with playable performance and no game-breaking glitches. Other statuses include Ingame, Intro, Loadable, and Nothing; these indicate progressively more limited functionality, not a guarantee that the game is enjoyable or completable. The project says status information changes frequently, so check the live entry rather than relying on an old status, a compatibility percentage, or results for a different game.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #3
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
Legal and practical boundaries
Use games you obtained legally and download firmware only from Sony. RPCS3’s guide says the project cannot distribute official firmware for legal reasons and directs users to Sony. The legal rules around personal copies and circumvention vary by jurisdiction; this setup guide is not legal advice for a particular country. The emulator is software, not a source of game files or licenses.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- This renewed game may come repackaged in a generic case. It has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
