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Engadget: Task Manager Helps Spot PC Background Processes That Drain ResourcesLocal Hubs and Backup Power Keep Smart Homes Running When Internet FailsEngadget Lists Ways to Repurpose, Sell or Recycle Old PlayStation ConsolesFederal Judge Blocks Utah's Anti-VPN Age-Verification LawDeepX pursues first-mover strategy in physical AI with Intel, AMD partnershipsNorwegian Army Rental Cars Stored Dashcam Footage of Soldiers, Report Says
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Engadget Lists Ways to Repurpose, Sell or Recycle Old PlayStation Consoles

Engadget explains how to repurpose, sell or recycle old PlayStation consoles instead of discarding them.

AI News Feed · 2026-10-18 08:15

Engadget said an old PlayStation can access media through streaming services, physical discs and USB drives. Streaming support varies by model, and the report said the PlayStation 3 route is mostly closed because many major streaming services have stopped supporting it. PlayStation 2 consoles can play DVDs, while PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 consoles can play both DVDs and Blu-rays, the report said. For USB playback, the drive must be formatted to exFAT, or FAT32 for the PS3, if it is in NTFS, and media files must be placed in folders; on the PS4, users first need to install the Media Player app, according to Engadget.

The report also described parts that can be reused. PlayStation controllers, especially the DualShock 4, work with phones, tablets, PCs and some newer consoles, and the DualShock 4 can connect to an Amazon Fire TV Stick for cloud gaming or use as a makeshift remote, Engadget said. The DualShock 3 has similar functions but works with fewer devices and is harder to connect, according to the report. Engadget said the hard drive in PlayStation consoles is user-replaceable, and after removal it can be reformatted and put in a USB enclosure for external storage. HDMI and power cables can also be reused, and the remaining console should be recycled responsibly.

For owners who want cash, Engadget listed three main selling routes. Retail trade-in programs at Best Buy, Amazon and GameStop are the most convenient but typically produce low offers and often pay in store credit, which is less useful for people who do not plan to shop there, the report said. Buyback sites such as Back Market Trade-in pay cash without listing or haggling and usually value old PlayStations more than big-box retailers, but they carry shipping risks and take longer to pay, according to Engadget. Selling on marketplaces such as Swappa and eBay can bring more money, but Engadget said the process is typically less convenient, slower and more laborious. The report said even old consoles such as the PS2 can still be sold for cash.

Editor's Summary

Engadget's Oct. 17, 2026 report says old PlayStation consoles can serve as media players, parts sources or resale items instead of being discarded. It also details trade-offs among trade-in, buyback and marketplace sales, and recommends recycling consoles after reusable parts are removed.