Uncharted Collection vs Original PS3 Versions

The Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is a PlayStation 4 remaster of the first three Uncharted games, offering higher resolution, smoother framerates, and a handful of gameplay tweaks compared to the original PlayStation 3 releases. If you own a PS4 or PS5, the Collection is almost always the better way to play these games, but the PS3 versions still hold up and have a few minor differences worth knowing about.

Background: Why the Collection Exists

Naughty Dog shipped Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune (2007), Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (2009), and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (2011) exclusively on PlayStation 3. In 2015, Bluepoint Games—a studio known for high-fidelity remasters—ported all three to PlayStation 4 as a single package. The Collection was released on October 7, 2015, and later became part of the PlayStation Plus Collection on PS5. It was also included with the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves bundle on PC and PS5, though that package only contains the fourth game and The Lost Legacy.

The remaster was built from the ground up for the PS4’s hardware, targeting 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second, a significant jump from the original 720p/30fps on PS3. Bluepoint also added a photo mode, improved lighting and textures, and reworked some character models. The core gameplay, level design, and story beats remain identical to the originals.

Visual and Performance Upgrades

The most obvious difference is the presentation. The PS3 versions ran at 720p natively (with some dynamic resolution scaling in Uncharted 2 and 3) and targeted 30fps, with occasional dips during heavy action. The PS4 Collection runs at a locked 1080p on base PS4 and PS4 Pro, and 60fps throughout. On PS5, the Collection runs via backward compatibility at the same 1080p/60, but load times are noticeably shorter thanks to the SSD.

Bluepoint also enhanced the textures, shadows, and draw distances. The remaster uses higher-resolution character models, more detailed environments, and improved particle effects. The lighting was reworked to be more natural, and the color grading was slightly adjusted. Some players prefer the warmer, more saturated look of the PS3 originals, but most agree the Collection is objectively sharper and more detailed.

Gameplay Tweaks and Quality-of-Life Changes

Beyond the technical boost, the Collection introduces a few gameplay options that did not exist in the PS3 versions:

• Photo Mode: You can pause and move the camera, apply filters, and take screenshots in all three games.
• New Difficulty Modes: The Collection adds “Explorerâ€� (very easy) and “Crushingâ€� is available from the start, whereas on PS3 you had to unlock it by beating the game on Hard.
• Gyro Aiming (PS4/PS5): You can enable motion controls for fine-tuning your aim, a feature not present on PS3.
• Adjustable Controls: The Collection lets you remap button layouts, including a “classicâ€� scheme that mimics the PS3 controls.
• Improved Speedrun and Score Modes: The Collection adds a built-in speedrun timer and a “Crushingâ€� mode that tracks your score based on accuracy and stealth.

One notable omission: the Collection does not include the multiplayer modes from Uncharted 2 and 3. Those online modes were shut down in 2019, so even if you own the PS3 discs, you can no longer play them officially. The Collection is purely single-player.

How the Remaster Handles the Games

Each game received a slightly different level of enhancement, because the original code bases varied. Drake’s Fortune benefits the most from the remaster—the original had some dated textures and a few clunky sections, and the 60fps makes the shooting and platforming feel smoother. Uncharted 2 and 3 were already polished on PS3, so the remaster mainly sharpens the image and stabilizes the framerate.

Bluepoint also fixed a few minor bugs and glitches that existed in the PS3 versions, such as certain collision issues and camera problems. The remaster does not alter the story, dialogue, or level layouts. If you have played the PS3 originals, you will know exactly what to expect.

Comparing the Experience: PS3 vs PS4/PS5

If you have a PS3 and a PS4/PS5, the choice is clear for most people: the Collection is the definitive way to play. The 60fps framerate alone makes the action feel more responsive, and the higher resolution makes the environments pop. The photo mode is a fun addition, and the ability to play on Crushing from the start is a nice convenience for veterans.

However, the PS3 versions have a few things the Collection does not:

• Multiplayer: As noted, the PS3 versions had online multiplayer, but the servers are now offline. If you want to play the co-op or versus modes with friends locally (split-screen), the PS3 versions are the only way.
• Original Art Direction: Some players feel the PS3 versions had a slightly different color palette or atmospheric lighting that the remaster altered. This is subjective, but it is a real difference.
• Disc and Trophy Lists: The PS3 versions have separate trophy lists, so if you are a trophy hunter, you can earn two sets of platinum trophies (one for PS3, one for PS4).
• Backward Compatibility: The PS3 versions are not playable on PS4 or PS5 (except via PlayStation Now streaming, which has been discontinued). The Collection is the only way to play these games on modern consoles.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Players occasionally encounter issues with the Collection, mostly related to the remaster’s settings:

• Motion Blur and Camera Shake: Some players find the default motion blur too strong. You can turn it off in the options menu.
• Audio Sync: In rare cases, cutscene audio may desync. This is usually fixed by restarting the game or reinstalling the update.
• Crashing on PS5: A few users report crashes when using the “Rest Modeâ€� while the game is running. The workaround is to close the game before putting the console to sleep.
• Gyro Aiming Not Working: If you enable motion controls but they do not respond, check that the controller’s motion sensor is enabled in the PS4/PS5 system settings.

For the PS3 versions, common issues include disc read errors (especially on older consoles) and occasional framerate drops during intense explosions. The remaster eliminates most of those problems.

Cost and Availability

The Collection is widely available on the PlayStation Store for around $19.99, and it goes on sale frequently. Physical copies are also cheap, often under $15. The PS3 versions are out of print, but you can find used discs for a few dollars. However, keep in mind that the PS3 versions require a PS3 console, which is no longer manufactured. If you already own a PS3, the cost difference is negligible. If you need to buy a PS3 just to play the originals, the Collection is far more cost-effective.

There is also the Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves collection for PS5 and PC, which includes Uncharted 4 and The Lost Legacy—not the first three games. That is a separate purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nathan Drake Collection the same as the PS3 versions?

Yes, the core games are identical in story, level design, and gameplay. The Collection only improves the technical presentation (resolution, framerate, textures) and adds a few optional features like photo mode and gyro aiming. It does not add or remove any content from the single-player campaigns.

Can I play the multiplayer from Uncharted 2 and 3 on the Collection?

No. The Collection includes only the single-player campaigns. The multiplayer servers for the PS3 versions were shut down in 2019, so online play is no longer possible on any platform. Local split-screen multiplayer was never available in the series.

Which version should I buy if I have both a PS3 and a PS4?

Get the Collection. The 60fps framerate and higher resolution make a significant difference in how the games feel. The only reason to choose the PS3 versions is if you specifically want the original visual style or the separate trophy lists, or if you want to play the (now offline) multiplayer modes.

Does the Collection include any DLC or bonus content?

No. The Collection does not include any of the DLC packs that were released for the PS3 games, such as the Uncharted 2 multiplayer skins or the Uncharted 3 co-op adventures. Those were online-only and are gone. The Collection does include a few unlockable extras like concept art and a behind-the-scenes video.

Are the PS3 versions still worth playing in 2024?

If you only have a PS3, yes—they are still excellent games. The graphics are dated by modern standards, but the gameplay and story hold up. However, if you have any way to play the Collection, it is the superior experience in almost every way.

Does the Collection run at 4K on PS4 Pro or PS5?

No. The Collection is capped at 1080p on all PS4 models and on PS5 via backward compatibility. It does not have a 4K mode. The framerate is always 60fps, though. If you want 4K, you would need to play the PC version of Uncharted 4 or The Lost Legacy (which are not part of this collection).

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