We already published the list of best PS3 games of all time, now it’s time to discover the best PS3 simulation games of all time.
With amazing titles available, the PS3 definitely has a great library of simulation games.
So, if you’re a fan of both the PS3 and simulation 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. Top Gun
- Release Data: Doublesix/Paramount Digital Entertainment, 2010
- Genre: Simulation » Flight » Combat
With a range of air-crafts to choose from, much of the gameplay depends on following way-points and gaining lock-ons.
It gets a bit repetitive as the campaign draws to a close, but thankfully the formula doesn’t overstay its welcome.
At the end of the day, Top Gun is a short but enjoyable flight-combat game.
#24. Smash Cars
- Release Data: Creat Studios/Metro3D, 2009
- Genre: Simulation » Vehicle » Combat
Overall, Smash Cars is one of the best car combat games on the PS3.
Because there’s not a lot of racing games to have graced the PlayStation Store, the value of this title within its genre is pretty significant.
With its real-time physics destruction, solid handling, and nifty gameplay perks, you owe it to yourself to pick up this title.
#23. Heroes Over Europe
- Release Data: Transmission Games/Ubisoft, 2009
- Genre: Simulation » Flight » Combat
Heroes Over Europe is easy to play and gives you plenty of opportunity to blast enemy fighters from the sky.
For anyone looking for a World War II flight combat game without the steep learning curve of more complex flight simulators, this could briefly entertain, but don’t expect it to stay fresh and interesting for very long.
#22. Armored Core V
- Release Data: From Software/Namco Bandai Games, 2012
- Genre: Simulation » Vehicle » Combat
Mech combat fans who have been looking for an in-depth, team based game with subtlety, sophistication and a true appreciation for strategy and skill will like this.
However, this is not a game for everyone, but for that particular niche audience the game is clearly targeting, this is a must have game.
#21. Full Auto 2: Battlelines
- Release Data: Pseudo Interactive/Sega, 2006
- Genre: Simulation » Vehicle » Combat
Full Auto 2 improves on its predecessor in almost every way imaginable.
The destructible environments work well and actually change the flow of every race and the battle arenas add variety.
It’s still light on story, so those looking for added narrative won’t find it.
Still, it’s a safe bet most players didn’t care about story the first time around.
#20. EyePet & Friends
- Release Data: SCEE London Studio/SCEA, 2011
- Genre: Simulation » Virtual » Virtual Life
While the game is undoubtedly aimed at a younger age demographic, parents will still be able to enjoy the game with their children as the controls are easy to pick up; despite occasionally being frustrating.
With the customization options offering plenty of additional unique content, players will find the game will last as long as they want it to.
#19. Blazing Angels: Squadrons of WWII
- Release Data: Ubisoft, 2006
- Genre: Simulation » Flight » Combat
There’s enough action here to satisfy you if you know you’re in the market for your basic WWII flight combat game, but the single-player is awfully standard.
If you’re up for more of the same, or if you haven’t played a WWII flight combat game in a good long time, this isn’t a bad way to go.
#18. Armored Core: For Answer
- Release Data: From Software, 2008
- Genre: Simulation » Vehicle » Combat
Being a lower profile franchise, Armored Core doesn’t impress in terms of tech or revolutionary game design, but the gameplay is a lot of fun and will be a riot for hardcore mech fans.
If you can overlook the technical problems, For Answer is a solid title.
#17. Tom Clancy’s HAWX 2
- Release Data: Ubisoft, 2010
- Genre: Simulation » Flight » Combat
While HAWX 2 tries to surpass the heights of its predecessor by bringing on more features and modes, the game only truly shines when it focuses on aerial combat.
Imperfect as it might be, there’s still plenty of fun to be had in blasting through the skies in pursuit of your enemies and getting involved in some serious furballs.
#16. Armored Core 4
- Release Data: From Software, 2007
- Genre: Simulation » Vehicle » Combat
Its heavier emphasis on arcade-style mech-on-mech action means that its enhanced fast-paced action will appeal to a more mainstream audience.
And even though it isn’t as complex as it once was, there’s still plenty to obsess over for the hardcore players.
Suffice it to say, this is a very good mech combat game.
#15. Armored Core: Verdict Day
- Release Data: From Software/Namco Bandai Games, 2013
- Genre: Simulation » Vehicle » Combat
Verdict Day suffers many obvious weaknesses: The graphics are embarrassing. Too many missions feel repetitive and empty. And the menus can be extremely aggravating.
Still, there’s a special kind of magic here that most games would never even attempt.
Overall, Verdict Day is deeply tactical and requires both planning and performance. It’s also unforgiving and unapologetic.
#14. Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII
- Release Data: Ubisoft Romania/Ubisoft, 2007
- Genre: Simulation » Flight » Combat
If you like your WWII games to be historical and rooted in fact, you probably won’t enjoy flying a prototype jet under the Golden Gate Bridge very much.
But if you’re after a loose, simple game where you get to fly a lot of different, crazy planes and blow up a billion German fighters, you’ll probably have a good time.
#13. The Sims 3: Pets
- Release Data: The Sims Studio/Electronic Arts, 2011
- Genre: Simulation » Virtual » Virtual Life
The Sims 3: Pets depends on a specific sort of player to get the most out of it, but then that’s nothing new for the series.
If you like the idea of toying with a variety of human and now animal personalities, then this game should be right up your alley.
#12. Apache: Air Assault
- Release Data: Gaijin Entertainment/Activision, 2010
- Genre: Simulation » Flight » Combat
Ultimately, Apache: Air Assault delivers on just about everything for which an enthusiast could ask.
While it may not convert many new players into pilots, a keen attention to detail and a good number of customization options help keep things feeling fresh.
#11. EyePet
- Release Data: SCEE London Studio/SCEE, 2009
- Genre: Simulation » Virtual » Virtual Life
The game is very clearly aimed at families and kids, so if you don’t like pet simulations already, then you probably won’t care for EyePet.
But, if you do, then you’ll find EyePet to be the most realistic and satisfying one that you’ve played.
#10. Tom Clancy’s HAWX
- Release Data: Ubisoft Romania/Ubisoft, 2009
- Genre: Simulation » Flight » Combat
Tom Clancy’s HAWX is a rewarding arcade aerial-combat experience that looks and sounds every bit as good as it plays.
The controls, and in particular the ERS innovation, make dogfighting in iconic planes over famous cities as accessible as it is enjoyable.
#9. Birds of Steel
- Release Data: Gaijin Entertainment/Konami, 2012
- Genre: Simulation » Flight » Combat
This is not the kind of game that everyone will love, but it’s a good fit for a smaller, knowledgeable fan base.
It’s tricky to see how large a market there is for a game like this but if you’re a fan of vintage air combat from the WWII era then this is likely to have great appeal.
#8. EyePet: Move Edition
- Release Data: SCEE London Studio/SCEA, 2010
- Genre: Simulation » Virtual » Virtual Life
The overall experience, especially the amount and variety of challenges is very impressive.
Your EyePet will feel like a family member and it’s rewarding to see a child’s eyes light up when they see and interact with it.
If you have children and they want a pet, but you’re against the responsibility, EyePet: Move Edition may actually be a decent substitute.
#7. Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
- Release Data: Project Aces/Namco Bandai Games, 2011
- Genre: Simulation » Flight » Combat
It might not be the perfect console arcade combat flight sim experience, but Ace Combat: Assault Horizon remains a treat for any fan of the genre or fans of stupidly awesome looking air combat action.
Where it breaks with tradition, it injects a shot of epinephrine straight into your heart and keeps it pumping until a mission is over.
#6. Twisted Metal
- Release Data: Eat Sleep Play/SCEA, 2012
- Genre: Simulation » Vehicle » Combat
Look beyond the game’s aged aesthetic and you’ll be rewarded with one of the most balanced multiplayer titles ever to grace PS3.
The developer might not be upfront about all of the game’s mechanics, but the joy is in discovery—it’s a game that encourages you to experiment and rewards you for doing so.
#5. Calling All Cars!
- Release Data: Incognito Inc./SCEA, 2007
- Genre: Simulation » Vehicle » Combat
When it comes down to it, the game is just plain fun.
It could use a few more maps and a more inspiring single player mode, but these shortcomings don’t affect the fantastic time you and your friends will have playing it.
#4. After Burner Climax
- Release Data: Sega AM2/Sega, 2010
- Genre: Simulation » Flight » Combat
The greatest joy provided by After Burner Climax is the distinct sense of throw-back.
That’s not to say the game looks old but it feels “classic” in its mold.
Here is a game with very few rules, very few stipulations.
Its blue sky-thinking is typically SEGA, and it’ll take many players back to those days when Dreamcast was next-generation.
#3. IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey
- Release Data: Gaijin Entertainment/505 Games, 2009
- Genre: Simulation » Flight » Combat
IL-2 Sturmovik‘s dogfights and bombing runs are exciting enough to satisfy anyone with an interest in air combat.
It successfully caters to both novices and veterans, and it’s good to see such a faithful sim appear on a console.
If you want to experience some great World War II dogfighting on your console, Birds of Prey fits the bill.
#2. The Sims 3
- Release Data: The Sims Studio/Electronic Arts, 2010
- Genre: Simulation » Virtual » Virtual Life
It’s amazing that The Sims 3 works so well with a controller and that many of the PC functions are still intact.
So if you’re curious about the Sims and don’t own a computer, you should try out the console version.
The PC title is still superior, but if you can’t play that version, the console port is worth your time.
#1. Warhawk
- Release Data: Incognito Inc./SCEA, 2007
- Genre: Simulation » Flight » Combat
Its complex controls require a lot of patience but once you get the hang of it you will be completely hooked by the intense action that makes these battles such an addictive joy.
This is one of the PS3’s finest titles that really shouldn’t be missed.
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See also: Best PSP Games & Best PS Vita Games
Are your favorite games on the list?
Deciding which PS3 simulation game is the best is no doubt a never ending topic, but it’s fun to do!
