Video game collecting is a much more expensive hobby than it used to be; with more enthusiasts ing in every day, the value of some of the most memorable games of yesteryear has skyrocketed. Many titles for the PlayStation 3 that were fairly common finds at one time are now seeing rising prices as they become rarer and more difficult to find. This is particularly true of any collector's editions or rhythm games with instruments such as Rock Band.

While the current fixation of most collectors seems to be on the sixth generation of gaming, certain excellent seventh-generation games have seen huge price increases in the past few years. Both avid collectors and people who simply want to relive some of the nostalgia of the past are often looking for many of these games. From niche games released early in the console's life cycle to games that were canceled but made it to retail anyway, many can now bring several hundreds of dollars in today's market.

Current market prices for these PS3 games have been found on the website PriceCharting.com and are noted and linked in each entry.

25 Armored Core: For Answer (2008)

Difficult To Find Now Makes It More Expensive

Armored Core: For Answer is a mech battling game with plenty of fast-paced combat and action, making it a popular game for many. These days, the PlayStation 3 edition of the game proves to be a bit elusive and its rarity has been driving the price of the game up whenever it is found.

According to the PriceCharting website, a new copy of Armored Core: For Answer will sell for up to $193.54 at the time of writing, and a Complete in Box version of the game being resold would be valued at $83.21.

24 Syberia Collection - Adventure Company Version (2009)

A Minor Cover Difference

The Syberia Collection isn't especially hard to find for the PS3, although it's not the cheapest collection out there in any form. When it comes to the big bucks, however, one minor difference completely changes the value.

The original release of the Syberia Collection, which features only the developer The Adventure Company on the cover, can reach $250 either new or complete in box according to PriceCharting. Reprints have likely lowered the value from its all-time highs, but any later print adds THQ Nordic to the cover, so the game is worth way more if the newer company isn't referenced.

23 The Last Guy (2008)

Primarily Sold As A Digital Game

The Last Guy is a unique game where players must guide civilians to safety through monster-infested cities, from an overhead viewpoint. Looking at mobs of humans and carefully trying to lead them can be a challenge, but finding a physical copy of the game might be an even bigger one. The game was primarily sold as a digital on the PlayStation Store, with very few physical copies ever being released.

The PriceCharting website lists that a new copy of The Last Guy for the PS3 is valued at $275.39. Interestingly, the Complete in Box copies have sold for $300, likely due to the lack of new copies being available.

22 BlazBlue: Central Fiction (2016)

The Last BlazBlue Game On The PS3

BlazBlue is perhaps the most renowned fighting games series to debut during the seventh console generation. With a total of four mainline titles released on the PlayStation 3, the series was almost inescapable for fans of the genre. Released in 2016, BlazBlue: Central Fiction was one of the final titles to be released on Sony's PlayStation 3, and, as such, it's extremely rare. On the PriceCharting website, new copies of the game are shown to be valued at $299.99, while Complete in Box sales of the game go for $201.

21 Afrika (2008)

A Low North American Print Run

Afrika is the kind of game that tended to show up more often on the Nintendo Wii than the PlayStation 3, focusing on nature photography simulation. In this case, it's something of a safari tour, with players following missions to capture specific sights and traveling to find the perfect shot.

Afrika wasn't a critical or financial winner, likely thanks to an overly-structured approach and a number of frustrating elements. Although some import versions don't command the same prices, a low North American print run means that new copies are currently valued at $294.80 on PriceCharting, while a complete used copy fetches close to half that.

20 Band Hero Super Bundle (2009)

Full Bundle With Instruments

Band Hero was a spin-off title from the popular Guitar Hero series and plays very similarly to its predecessors. It received some mixed reviews, partly due to it having much less content than the Guitar Hero games but at the same price, and felt geared for a younger audience. The spin-off didn't really hit the right notes with consumers, and now the game is difficult to find at a reasonable price.

According to PriceCharting, a new copy of the full Band Hero Super Bundle, which includes the instruments as well as the game, is valued at $330.52, at the time of writing, while a Complete in Box version of the game costs $190.15.

19 Rock Band Special Edition (2007)

Many Were Introduced To The Series With This Game

Over the years, since the fad of rhythm games with instruments such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band has subsided, finding these games complete with the necessary instruments has become a struggle for many who wish to own them. The nostalgia has led many who grew up playing the original Rock Band to want to try to find it again. On PriceCharting's website, Rock Band Special Edition with instruments for the PS3 is listed at a value of $349 when new, and $295 when sold Complete in Box, at the time of writing.

18 Ni No Kuni: Wrath Of The White Witch - Wizard's Edition (2011)

Includes The Game & A 300-Page Book

The Ni No Kuni series is a very popular ARPG with an engaging story and creative characters. When Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch was released, there was a special Wizard's Edition that essentially was its version of a collectors' edition. This box set has a 300-page book called The Wizard's Companion which is a physical copy of the same in-game book containing a bestiary, spells, history, and more. The Wizard's Edition of the game also came with a plush doll of Drippy from the game as well as two in-game DLC familiars.

On PriceCharting, the Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch - Wizard's Edition for the PS3 is listed at $357.46 new. It costs $199 when sold Complete in Box.

17 Dragon Age: Inquisition Inquisitor's Edition (2014)

A Lot Of Physical Goodies

Dragon Age: Inquisition came in toward the tail end of the PS3 era, but even if the PS3 version wasn't on the newest hardware, the Inquisitor's Edition wasn't afraid to present itself as a definitive way to buy the game. With everything from a Tarot deck to an ink and quill set, the Inquisitor's Edition made its whopping $169.99 MSRP count.

For those who decided to take the plunge, the investment hasn't faltered in the long run, partly thanks to the enduring relevance of the Dragon Age series. The Inquisitor's Edition may not sell often, but PriceCharting lists it as $375 new and $250 complete, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at.

16 Armored Core: Verdict Day - Collector's Edition (2013)

Armored Core Is Rarely Cheap

Considering the price that Armored Core: For Answer commands with a standard release, it's no surprise that the collector's edition of the later PS3 game Verdict Day goes for even more. This deluxe offering bundles the game with an art book and soundtrack, but the real star of the show is a detailed mech action figure.

According to PriceCharting, Armored Core: Verdict Day's collector's edition can cost $378.71 new, a steep price even for a cool-looking figure. A complete used copy knocks the price down to $252.45, but casual fans might want to stick to the standard release, even if it's still expensive in its own right.