A spare PS2, PS3 or PS4 can still play movies, give up its controller and hard drive, or earn you cash. Here is how.
An old PlayStation doesn't have to end up in the trash. It can still play movies: the PS2 handles DVDs, and the PS3 and PS4 play DVDs and Blu-rays. A PS4 can also run streaming apps and play videos from a USB drive, while the PS3 has lost many big streaming services.
If the console itself is done, keep the useful bits. The DualShock 4 works with phones, PCs and a Fire TV Stick, and the user-replaceable hard drive becomes external storage in a USB enclosure.
Donating works too, but check the charity first. Before it goes, back up your saves, unlink your account and run a full reset, then recycle anything broken at an e-waste drop-off.
More than one in five US adults admit they simply throw old gadgets in the trash, and a dusty PlayStation is an easy candidate. That is a waste. Even an old PS2 can still play movies, give up useful parts or turn into cash, and the steps take an afternoon at most.
Why bother? An old console still has money and use left in it, and dumping electronics is bad for the environment. Consoles contain hazardous materials such as lead, and in some US states putting tech in the trash is against the law. This guide shows how to repurpose an old PlayStation as a media hub, what parts are worth keeping, and how to sell, donate or recycle the rest safely.
The simplest way to repurpose an old PlayStation is to make it the movie player under your TV. There are three ways to feed it video.
A PS3 or PS4 used this way doubles as a cheap Blu-ray player, which is a handy job for a console that no longer gets played.
Sometimes the console itself has had its day, but a few pieces are still useful: the controllers, the hard drive and the cables.
The DualShock 4 from the PS4 is the star. It connects to phones, tablets and PCs, and even works with some newer consoles. You can pair it with an Amazon Fire TV Stick for cloud gaming or as a stand-in remote. The older DualShock 3 from the PS3 does some of the same, but it works with fewer devices and is fiddlier to connect.
The hard drive is a bigger prize. Sony built PlayStation drives to be swapped by owners, so getting one out mostly means removing a few screws. Reformat it, drop it into a USB enclosure, and you have external storage for a laptop or another console. Keep the HDMI and power cables too, then recycle what is left.
Even older consoles, PS2 included, still sell for cash. You have three main routes, and each trades effort against payout.
Want speed? Use a store. Want the most cash? List it yourself. A buyback site sits in between. Target also runs an online-only trade-in scheme that accepts video game consoles and games in exchange for a Target eGiftCard.
If selling feels like too much hassle, pass the console to a younger relative or donate it. Gamers Outreach, for example, gathers donated consoles and gives them to children in hospitals. Check any charity’s online profile and donor reviews first, because old consoles still have resale value and some resellers pose as charities.
A broken console belongs at an e-waste recycler, not in the bin. Best Buy and Staples run electronics recycling programs, and Best Buy accepts up to three items per household per day for free. Earth911 can point you to recyclers near you. E-waste laws are on the books in 25 US states, so check local rules before you throw anything out.
You would not be alone in getting this wrong. A recent US survey of adults found that just 39% recycle old devices, 29% keep them stashed at home, and 22% put them in the trash.
Before a console goes to a buyer, a charity or a recycler, protect your data. Back up your saves, then wipe the machine so the next owner starts fresh.
Not reliably. Many major streaming services have dropped the PS3, so it works better as a DVD and Blu-ray player or for videos on a USB drive.
Yes. The PS2 plays DVDs through its game drive, but not Blu-rays. For Blu-ray you need a PS3 or PS4.
Marketplaces such as eBay or Swappa usually pay the most. Buyback sites pay cash with less effort, and store trade-ins are fastest but often pay in store credit.
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