Summary

  • Wii's motion controls made PlayStation Move a must-have for PS3 gamers in the competition-filled console era of the 2000s and 2010s.
  • Finding a PlayStation 3 Move Sharp Shooter for $6 in a thrift store brings nostalgia and joy for fans of that iconic era of gaming.
  • Despite its heyday being over, the PlayStation Move accessory serves as a reminder of the innovative competition between game consoles.

A PlayStation fan was surprised to find a relic of the PS3 era amid the toy shelves of a thrift store. It seems the owners may not have known what the object was, or just wanted to offload the PS3 accessory as quickly as possible.

The PS3 era of the 2000s and 2010s was an interesting time to be a gamer. The PS3 launched in November 2006, offering greatly improved graphics, new hardware capabilities, and better online connectivity than its predecessor. However, the Wii launched just a week after the PS3. While the two couldn't stand toe-to-toe in terms of graphical fidelity, the Wii had something unique: motion controls. The motion controls of the Wii ended up being a massive selling point, and Sony ended up creating its own version of the devices with the PlayStation Move controllers.

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This particular thrift store find is rooted in that era of competition, with Reddit user GodOfOnions2 discovering a PlayStation 3 Move Sharp Shooter for $6. The device seems to be in good shape, with no obvious discoloration or damage. Without knowledge of the PS3, it would likely just look like a simple plastic shooter toy for kids to run around with, though a rather lackluster one, as it doesn't fire anything. To utilize it, Move Controllers and a PS3 are needed, which obviously weren't sold with the unique find at this particular store. The device was only compatible with select games, as well, including Killzone 3, Dead Space Extraction, Socom 4, and Time Crisis: Razing Storm.

PS3 Fans Remember Move Controllers

While GodOfOnions2 initially left the Sharp Shooter behind, it seems that fellow fans persuaded them to go back and buy it. Several noted that they'd also gotten their own Sharp Shooters for pretty cheap, as most retailers don't seem to recognize what it is without the controllers attached. To be fair, it is basically just a chunk of plastic without the added functionality of the controllers being inserted. However, its unique design and reminder of the PS3/Wii/Xbox 360 Gen 7 era of gaming seems to have delighted many fans.

Largely courtesy of the Wii's inventiveness and the spirit of competition between game console manufacturers of the 2000-2010s, motion controls are now a common staple in gaming. The Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 both have some form of motion control baked into their controllers. Gyro controls also play a big role in virtual reality controllers these days. While the PlayStation Move's heyday has come and gone, fans still look back fondly on that era when they make finds like these.

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Brand
Sony
Original Release Date
November 17, 2006
Hardware Versions
PS3
Original MSRP (USD)
20 GB: $499.99; 60 GB: $599.99; Slim: $299; Super Slim: $270
Weight
Launch: 11 LBS; Slim: 7.1 LBS; Super Slim: 4.6 LBS
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The PlayStation 3 was Sony's console for the seventh generation. Debuting in 2006 and discontinued in 2016 in North America, the PS3 had a rough launch but picked up steam during its twilight years. Along with the bulky launch model, Sony also released Slim and Super Slim versions of the PS3.

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