Sony isn’t waiting for the next-gen to kick things into high gear – the PS3 is extremely hot right now, to the point that I’ve actually been recommending a purchase of one to casual-gaming friends as of late. Between its rockin’ library of older games, current hits like The Last of Us, and the upcoming GTA V, Gran Turismo 6, and Beyond: Two Souls (to name a few), gamers who usually just dabble can grab an old school PS-Phat for under $200 online and be on their merry way. It seems I may not be the only one grasping this logic either, as Sony’s aging console had a stellar month of June in the UK.
It was actually a win-win for Sony in almost every category. PS3 was the best selling console, while The Last of Us managed to be the best selling piece of software. Meanwhile, games published by Sony sold the most overall as well. Naughty Dog’s gem even outsold Animal Crossing: New Leaf by a comfortable margin. Now that’s impressive.
The PS3 didn’t outsell the 3DS or anything, but let’s not talk crazy here. This is the kind of momentum that ensures current PS3 owners will want to grab a PS4 (as opposed to being left out in the cold during their console’s final days), and with console lifespans lasting longer each and every generation, people who buy a PS3 today might find themselves in the same boat halfway through next gen. Between this kind of support and Sony’s extremely promising policies for independent game publishing on PSN going forward, it’s hard not to feel thoroughly optimistic. Let’s hope the good times keep rolling.