TL;DR: RPCS3, the popular PlayStation 3 emulator, now supports playing PS3 games directly from Blu-ray discs (internal or external) on Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD, enabling preservation and easy access to physical game libraries without needing an aging PS3 console.
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If you follow and engage in the console emulation scene, you’re probably aware that the Sony PlayStation 3 emulator RPCS3 is one of the most impressive out there. It opens the door to smooth, accurate emulation of PS3 games across a wide range of platforms and hardware. RPCS3’s latest update is a notable one because it takes aim at Sony’s recent and controversial decision to end disc production and move toward a digital-only future for PlayStation.
Yes, per the headline, RPCS3 now lets you play PlayStation 3 games directly from a Blu-ray disc drive, with support for internal and external drives, Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD. “Owning your games as physical media allows you to play games released as far back as 20 years ago without relying on any servers,” RPCS3’s social media post on the announcement reads.
It’s unclear if this new feature for the popular emulator was in development before Sony’s ‘no more discs’ announcement, but it’s a clear move to position RPCS3 as an emulator built for game preservation. Although PCs and laptops with Blu-ray drives are something of a rarity in 2026, you can still get external drives, with multiple models available on Amazon.
- Read more: 75% of PlayStation 3 games can now be fully completed on PC, per RPCS3
Head here to see the list of compatible disc drive models.
Does RPCS3 support both internal and external Blu-ray drives for PS3 discs?
Yes. RPCS3’s disc support includes both internal and external Blu-ray drives, and it works on Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD.
Question #2
Which operating systems can use the new RPCS3 disc-loading feature?
Do PS3 discs need to be ripped first, or can RPCS3 run them directly from the drive?
How does RPCS3 handle disc-based PS3 games that are no longer available digitally?
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This update is also perfect for those with a library of PS3 games, as it offers an easy way to play classic titles without firing up an aging PlayStation 3 console. It’s also great for retro gamers and collectors who don’t even have a PlayStation 3, giving them a way to play a bunch of classic physical games that are no longer available or supported.
