We already published the list of best PS3 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS3 action games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the PS3 definitely has a great library of action games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the PS3 and action games, there’s a chance you’ll like this list.
And some of you may already know some of the games mentioned in this list.
#25. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 Vietnam
- Release Data: EA DICE/EA Games, 2010
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
This Vietnam War-themed map pack for one of the most popular PS3 shooters brings in new weapons, maps, vehicles, and more.
You’ll enjoy more great Battlefield matches on five new maps, taking you through grueling settings ripe for guerrilla warfare.
If you love the multiplayer in Battlefield: Bad Company 2, this add-on is highly recommended.
#24. Battlefield: Bad Company 2
- Release Data: EA DICE/EA Games, 2010
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
This sequel delivers a satisfying campaign of first-person action, with memorable characters and a great storyline.
You’ll shoot your way through a series of exciting missions, containing various objectives that focus on using your squad.
Overall, this shooter offers countless hours of engaging entertainment and is a must-play for any fan of modern warfare shooters.
#23. Dead Space
- Release Data: EA Redwood Shores/EA Games, 2008
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
Few games are able to drum up the kind of dread and fear that this horror game does.
As you explore the abandoned spacecraft, you’ll piece together the mystery behind the distress call, leading you on an intriguing yet terrifying journey.
This is often referred to as one of the scariest games of all time, so it cannot be recommended enough.
#22. Far Cry 3
- Release Data: Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft, 2012
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
This FPS packs an intriguing narrative onto a beautiful and explorable tropical island.
Playing as protagonist Jason Brody, you’ll have to defend yourself from enemies both human and animal with firearms and stealth.
And in an effort to rescue your friends and escape the island, you’ll have to undertake a variety of missions and liberate outposts, killing bandits and securing territory.
#21. Dead Space 2
- Release Data: Visceral Games/Electronic Arts, 2011
- Genre: Action » Shooter » Third-Person » Arcade
This sci-fi horror sequel delivers more gruesome terror, but with a noticeable increase in action.
The setting and environments are much more varied, and there are more intriguing puzzles and intimidating enemies to fight.
Furthermore, you can also play against your friends in the multiplayer mode.
In the end, this is a must-own for any third-person shooter or horror game fan.
#20. LIMBO
- Release Data: PLAYDEAD, 2011
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This side-scrolling puzzle platformer is full of intrigue and atmosphere, due to its environmental storytelling and creepy visuals.
The game is completely in black and white, and players must guide the nameless protagonist through countless deadly obstacles.
The gameplay is crazily inventive and packed with tricky puzzles, so be sure to bring your thinking cap.
#19. The Beatles: Rock Band
- Release Data: Harmonix Music Systems/MTV Games, 2009
- Genre: Action » Rhythm » Music
This spin-off in the Rock Band series focused entirely on the career of The Beatles, often regarded as the best band of all time.
Either solo or with an entire band, you can enjoy fun rhythm-based gameplay using the instrument accessories.
From rooftops to concert stages, you’ll rock out to classic rock tunes in this incredible mixture of visuals and sound.
#18. Borderlands 2
- Release Data: Gearbox Software/2K Games, 2012
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
This looter-shooter sequel takes everything to the next level, including the environments, quests, and of course, weapons.
As you hop around the planet of Pandora completing quests and earning experience points, you’ll discover countless new guns to try out.
The entire game is playable with up to four players locally, which is why it’s one of the PS3’s best multiplayer games.
#17. Killzone 2
- Release Data: Guerrilla/SCEA, 2009
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
This futuristic shooter blends some awesome graphics with fast and adrenaline-filled gameplay.
Not only that, the class-based gameplay gives the multiplayer a unique spin that’s not found in the story mode.
Regardless of what mode you play, this is a PlayStation 3 exclusive shooter that you should try.
#16. Rock Band 3
- Release Data: Harmonix Music Systems/MTV Games, 2010
- Genre: Action » Rhythm » Music
In this amazing rhythm game, you can jam along to over 80 unique tracks with a huge variety of instruments.
Up to seven players to join in on the fun by singing, playing guitar, drums, keyboard, and more!
All in all, the expansive downloadable music selection and endlessly replayable gameplay make this a must-own party game.
#15. Pac-Man Championship Edition DX
- Release Data: Namco Bandai Games, 2010
- Genre: Action » Arcade
This is Pac-Man like you’ve never played it before, with explosive new gameplay and graphics!
This exciting sequel offers three exiting modes, including Score Attack, Time Attack, and Ghost Combo.
And in each mode, you’ll attempt to gobble up huge groups of ghosts as you attempt to reach the highest score.
#14. Rock Band
- Release Data: Harmonix Music Systems/MTV Games, 2007
- Genre: Action » Rhythm » Music
Jam out to over 50 different rock songs and take your very own virtual band on tour.
Using either the guitar and drum peripherals or a microphone, you’ll groove to the beat in this expansive rhythm title.
And last but not least, the game offers a set of increasing difficulties, ensuring that players of all skill levels can jam together.
#13. Super Street Fighter IV
- Release Data: Capcom, 2010
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 2D
This fantastic expansion adds 10 new characters, each with their own arcade story to enjoy.
And you can team up and fight with three other friends in Team Battle mode, or even put on your own tournament.
Also, new replay features allow you to check out match replays from around the world, providing an endless stream of competitive Street Fighter content.
#12. Rock Band 2
- Release Data: Harmonix Music Systems/MTV Games, 2008
- Genre: Action » Rhythm » Music
Since the original Rock Band nailed the gameplay, this sequel adds in a ton of more fantastic content to keep things fresh.
There are over 80 different songs to jam along to, with over 1,000 additional songs available to play.
You’ll rock your way to popularity in the “Tour” mode, starting out in small garages and working up to huge stadiums.
#11. Rayman Legends
- Release Data: Ubisoft Montpellier/Ubisoft, 2013
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This quick-paced platformer has tons of heart and charm, providing quite the joyful adventure.
The game has over 100 intense levels of platforming fun, including dozens of remastered levels from the previous game.
You’ll be surprised at how challenging this wonderful sequel can be, and how much you enjoy trying over and over.
#10. LittleBigPlanet 2
- Release Data: Media Molecule/SCEA, 2011
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This fantastic platforming game encourages players to unlock their imagination by creating their very own levels!
Players can choose to play the main story mode, fool around in creative mode, or browse the wide catalog of levels online.
The story mode is super fun, and a great appetizer for the millions of user-created levels available.
#9. Journey
- Release Data: ThatGameCompany/SCEA, 2012
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 3D
Traveling across an expansive desert, you and other random adventurers will navigate imaginative environments on your quest.
Although there are a few collectibles to find, this game is mostly about relaxing and enjoying the scenery.
Often considered one of the best indie games on the PlayStation 3, this is a game you shouldn’t miss.
#8. Braid
- Release Data: Hothead Games/Number None Inc., 2009
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
Although it might seem simple at first, this puzzle game is deceptively challenging.
Players will guide the main character through six unique worlds, attempt to collect jigsaw pieces.
As you solve the increasingly witty puzzles, the story takes on a new light, resulting in a truly memorable experience.
#7. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
- Release Data: Infinity Ward/Activision, 2009
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
This is one of the games that really put the Call of Duty series on the map.
The fantastic campaign has eighteen unique levels, each one packed with thrilling sequences of intense war combat.
Tons of progression systems give you reasons to keep on playing, providing countless hours of quality FPS gameplay.
#6. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
- Release Data: Infinity Ward/Activision, 2007
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Often considered one of gaming’s most thrilling FPS games, this intense title will keep you playing for hours on end.
The immersive story mode is chock-full of intense action and war drama, reeling players in.
Multiple difficulty levels provide some replayability, with the ultra-tough “Veteran” mode reserved for specialists only.
#5. Street Fighter IV
- Release Data: Capcom, 2009
- Genre: Action » Fighting » 2D
This game is responsible for reinvigorating the fighting game genre in the PlayStation 3 generation.
There are over 15 characters to play as, including Ryu, Chun-Li, Akuma, and Blanka, and other fan-favorites.
The controls are super simple to learn and regardless of your skill level, you’ll be fighting with style in no time.
#4. BioShock
- Release Data: Digital Extremes/2K Games, 2008
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
By effortlessly combining invigorating gameplay with an amazing story, this FPS has gained worldwide critical acclaim.
In addition to wielding a variety of weapons, players can use superhuman abilities by consuming potions known as plasmids.
You’ll run around Rapture shooting lightning from your fingertips as you attempt to uncover the unbelievable mysteries that await.
#3. Portal 2
- Release Data: Valve Software, 2011
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Utterly packed with hilarious dialogue and well-constructed brain teasers, this puzzle game is one for the ages.
Like the original game, players must complete a series of puzzles contained inside research labs, progressing through the facility.
Either solo or with a friend, you’ll have an amazing experience as you explore the ruins of Aperture Science.
#2. LittleBigPlanet
- Release Data: Media Molecule/SCE Australia, 2008
- Genre: Action » Platformer » 2D
This PlayStation 3 exclusive gives players every tool they need to make their very own platforming level.
There are a main set of levels to complete, but after that, you’re free to unleash your imagination in the comprehensive level editor.
Once you’ve completed your masterpiece, you can upload it online for the entire world to see.
#1. BioShock Infinite
- Release Data: Irrational Games/2K Games, 2013
- Genre: Action » Shooter » First-Person » Arcade
Another excellent entry in the BioShock franchise, this sequel takes players to the cloud city of Columbia.
Here, players must blast their way through the scummy civilians and militia as they attempt to rescue a young girl named Elizabeth.
This amazing FPS will consistently surprise you with its plots twists, neat combat mechanics, and interesting setting.
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See also: Best PSP Games & Best PS Vita Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which PS3 action game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!