Shakedown: Hawaii – The Symbolic Final Game for the Iconic PS3
After a legendary 14 year run filled with groundbreaking titles, the very last game ever released on the venerable PlayStation 3 console was Shakedown: Hawaii, developed by Vblank Entertainment and launched on August 20, 2020. This surprise 16-bit style open world adventure served as both a callback to retro gaming and a fitting swan song for one of gaming‘s most beloved platforms.
The Twilight of the PS3
The PlayStation 3 had an astonishingly long lifespan in the fast-moving video game industry. Initially launched in 2006, the console was host to genre-defining titles like the Uncharted series, The Last of Us, the God of War trilogy, and many more Sony exclusives that both impressed critics and resonated strongly with gamers.
However, by 2020 both Sony and the majority of game developers had shifted focus to modern platforms like the PlayStation 4 and upcoming PS5. The aging PS3 hardware could no longer run the latest cutting edge releases, with even Sony themselves ceasing first-party game development for the console back in 2015.
Still, a small but passionate community of nostalgic PS3 fans kept purchasing and playing both new and classic games on the system. This enduring popularity likely prompted Vblank Entertainment to create one final tribute game as a symbolic sendoff to the groundbreaking console.
Vblank‘s PS3 Legacy
Vblank Entertainment, founded by Brian Provinciano, had already developed the well-received 8-bit throwback Retro City Rampage for PS3 back in 2012. The studio had cultivated a reputation for crafting affectionate retro homages brimming with nostalgia.
Their PS3 support also continued well past most other third-party developers. Provinciano commented to gaming site Polygon about the release of Shakedown: Hawaii:
"I have a soft spot for all the PlayStation platforms…So to see it through with support all the way to the PS3‘s end was important."
This loyalty to Sony‘s ecosystem and desire to give the PS3 a proper sendoff were key motivations behind crafting one final, exclusive swan song release.
Shakedown: Hawaii – A Fun & Fitting Farewell
Shakedown: Hawaii delivered an exciting open-world action adventure experience perfect for long-time PS3 owners seeking a nostalgic callback to both retro 16-bit classics and the PS3‘s own iconic game library.
The game focused on an aging CEO seeking to rebuild his corporate empire in Hawaii through missions and business ventures ranging from absurd to illegal – the perfect set up for over-the-top antics and satire.
Reviewers praised the engaging gameplay, vibrant visual throwback to early 90s classics, and most importantly, providing a satisfying farewell note to conclude the PS3‘s story:
"Shakedown sends the PlayStation 3 out in style…A fun-filled open-world escapade that’s a fitting final chapter for the mighty PS3" – 9/10 – PushSquare
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Although not a first-party Sony title, fans agreed that the game brought the PS3 experience full circle – the system launched with titles like Genji continuing the PS2‘s focus on 3D visuals, while Shakedown‘s retro 2D graphics called back to early classics on the first PlayStation.
The Curtain Call for a Console Legend
In the end, over 2563 games would be released for the PlayStation 3 according to Wikipedia – an impressively massive library for any console. To put this in perspective, its successor the PlayStation 4 only saw 1886 titles in its lifetime.
| Console | Total Games Released | Top Selling Title |
|---|---|---|
| PS3 | 2,563 | Grand Theft Auto V (21M) |
| PS4 | 1,886 | Uncharted 4 ( 20M) |
So while the PS4 had strong first-party software support from Sony and some of this generation‘s best titles, the PS3 exceeded it in terms of sheer variety and quantity.
And now, after over a decade of groundbreaking gaming experiences from Uncharted to Metal Gear Solid, the PlayStation 3‘s journey ended with one last rousing adventure – Shakedown: Hawaii. For Brian Provinciano and Vblank Entertainment, bidding farewell on Sony‘s aging black monolith was a symbolic gesture of love for both the platform and its loyal fanbase.
In the words of PushSquare‘s review:
"Shakedown: Hawaii is a fine ending to the PlayStation 3 story. Much like the console itself, it’s fun, fresh, and full of fond memories. Thank you for the good times, PS3. Here’s to many more."
So closes a legendary chapter in PlayStation history spanning 14 remarkable years. For those finally moving beyond the PS3, fear not – many of its greatest hits live on via remasters and remakes on modern hardware. But none shall forget the console that gave us Nathan Drake, Kratos, Big Boss and so many more icons who defined gaming for a generation.
Farewell, PlayStation 3. And thank you Vblank Entertainment for one last wonderful, weird, neon-soaked romp in paradise.
