# PlayStation 3 5 Hacker News commenters recommended PlayStation 3 and 3 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 4 of 13 months. **Verdict:** People recommend the original PS3 for its full backward compatibility and strong split-screen gaming, and for cluster use. Critics point to Sony removing Linux support by update. ## Why people recommend it - Full backward compatibility with prior generations (1 comments): "the original model of the PS3 which had full BC for every previous generation" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49147758)) - Strong split-screen gaming (1 comments): "after one year it died most likely because of RSX" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49906267)) - Used for cluster computing (1 comments): "some of my fondest professional memories were my early Navy days, hacking together PS3's into a big ol cluster" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49897666)) ## What people warn about - Sony removed Linux option by update (1 comments): "Sony pushing an update to remove the option to use linux on your PS3" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47316599)) - Low frame rates (1 comments): "The low FPS on the PS3 just wasn't sitting right with me." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48563125)) - Hardware failure blamed on RSX (1 comments): "after one year it died most likely because of RSX" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49906267)) - Homebrew pain points (1 comments): "I remember this being a pain point for early PS3 homebrew." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47420277)) ## Alternatives hackers recommend - [Valve Steam Machine](https://hackerapproved.com/p/steam-machine.md): 326 recommend - [PlayStation 5](https://hackerapproved.com/p/playstation-5.md): 121 recommend - [Xbox console](https://hackerapproved.com/p/xbox.md): 62 recommend - [Xbox 360](https://hackerapproved.com/p/xbox-360.md): 41 recommend - [PlayStation 2](https://hackerapproved.com/p/playstation-2.md): 40 recommend ## Where to get it - [See price on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sony+PlayStation+3+PS3+console&tag=hackerapprove-20) (affiliate link) ## Cite as Hacker Approved, "PlayStation 3", https://hackerapproved.com/p/ps3/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).