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For most players, Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection is the best way to play the original trilogy today. It brings the single-player campaigns of Drake’s Fortune, Among Thieves, and Drake’s Deception to PS4 with an official 1080p presentation, a 60fps target, revised lighting, improved models and textures, re-rendered movies, Photo Mode, and new trophies. Choose the original PS3 releases instead if preserving the games as they appeared on their original hardware matters more than cleaner presentation and convenience.
There is one decisive qualification: the collection contains the three campaigns only. It is not a complete package of the PS3 releases and should not be bought expecting the original Uncharted 2 or Uncharted 3 multiplayer modes.
What the Nathan Drake Collection actually contains
Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection launched for PlayStation 4 in October 2015. Its scope is a three-game story package:
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- Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
- Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception
The official PlayStation product description is explicit: “Uncharted™: The Nathan Drake Collection includes the single-player campaigns only for Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune™, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves™, and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception™.” In practical terms, you get one PS4 collection covering the trilogy’s campaigns, rather than three separate PS3-era releases and their complete feature sets.
| Version | Games and modes | Presentation | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan Drake Collection on PS4 | All three single-player campaigns; original PS3 multiplayer modes are not included | Official 1080p presentation and 60fps target, revised visuals, re-rendered movies, Photo Mode and collection-era trophies | Players who want the trilogy in one modern console package |
| Original PS3 editions | Each original release, including the modes shipped with that edition | Original PS3-era rendering and release presentation | Collectors, preservation-minded players and anyone specifically seeking the original-hardware experience |
The distinction matters because “remaster” can sound like a complete replacement for every part of the originals. Here, the collection is best understood as a remastered campaign compilation, not an all-content archive of the PS3 versions.
Is the Nathan Drake Collection better than the PS3 versions?
As a default recommendation for single-player play, yes. The collection combines the complete three-game story arc on PS4 and adds documented technical and feature improvements. That makes it easier to start the series, move directly from one campaign to the next, and experience the games with a cleaner, more fluid presentation.
“Better” changes meaning when the goal is preservation. The PS3 editions retain the original hardware context, menus, rendering behavior and release-era feature set. If your priority is to study how the games looked and played at launch, or to maintain a physical collection of the original releases, that authenticity is a legitimate reason to choose PS3 even though the remaster is technically more modern.
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Presentation: resolution, frame rate and visual revisions
1080p output and a 60fps target
Naughty Dog’s 2015 announcement describes the remastered campaigns as running at 1080p and targeting 60 frames per second on PS4. Those are the collection’s official presentation targets; they should not be read as an independent measurement guaranteeing identical performance in every scene or every moment.
Compared with the original PS3 presentation, the target gives the collection a sharper and more fluid baseline for campaign play. Higher image clarity helps environmental details, character faces and small objects read more cleanly on a modern display, while the higher frame-rate target makes camera movement and traversal feel more immediate.
The specification is most useful as a version-comparison guide, not as a promise that every visual difference is dramatic on every television. Screen size, viewing distance and personal sensitivity to frame-rate changes affect what you notice. The important point is that PS4 was built around a higher-resolution, higher-frame-rate presentation than the original releases.
Lighting, models and textures
The remaster materials identify improvements to lighting, character and environment models, and textures. These revisions affect the entire visual pipeline rather than adding a separate graphics mode: scenes are rebuilt or adjusted so that surfaces, shadows and character geometry present more clearly than in the PS3 releases.
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That distinction helps set expectations for returning players. You should expect familiar locations, set pieces and performances, but with presentation work applied across the campaigns. It is a modernization of the existing games rather than a remake that changes their design.
Re-rendered movies
The collection’s cinematic sequences were re-rendered instead of simply being copied from the PS3 releases. A 2015 PlayStation Blog feature breakdown explains that the movies were re-rendered to include the visual improvements made to the games, including better lighting, improved models and textures, and to display at 1080p and 60 FPS.
This matters because a campaign can feel inconsistent when gameplay is upgraded but its pre-rendered scenes remain visibly lower quality. Re-rendering keeps the story sequences aligned with the remastered in-engine presentation. The trilogy’s narrative beats are unchanged, but the transitions between play and movie are designed to look like part of the same package.
Rank #2
- Play as Nathan Drake across a trilogy of thrilling, white-knuckle adventures. Experience Drake's relationships with those closest to him, as he struggles to balance adventure and family
- Brand-new trophies created exclusively for UNCHARTED's debut on the PS4 system
- Freeze gameplay at any time and take control of the camera to capture your most memorable moments from the trilogy to share with friends directly from your PS4 system. Utilize graphical filters, camera controls, and other options to customize your shot
Feature additions in the collection
Photo Mode
Photo Mode is an added collection feature that lets you pause eligible scenes, reposition the camera and adjust the presentation for screenshots. It gives players a way to examine environments and character work that was not part of the original PS3 campaign experience.
Photo Mode is most useful if you enjoy documenting a playthrough, composing landscape shots or inspecting the trilogy’s revised assets. It does not add missions, alter the story or recreate multiplayer content. Treat it as a replay and capture tool, not as a separate campaign mode.
New trophies
The collection adds new trophies associated with the remastered package. These are separate from the experience of earning trophies on the original PS3 releases, so trophy hunters may treat the collection as a fresh completion path rather than a simple transfer of an existing trophy list.
The presence of new trophies also reinforces the collection’s identity as its own PS4 release. It is a curated remaster with its own progression and presentation, not merely the three PS3 discs placed behind a compatibility layer. Players returning after completing the games on PS3 have a reason to revisit objectives and replay campaigns.
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The multiplayer caveat is the biggest difference
The collection does not include the original multiplayer modes from Uncharted 2 or Uncharted 3. The official product page limits the package to single-player campaigns, so readers should not buy it expecting the PS3 versions’ competitive or cooperative multiplayer features.
This is the most important reason the PS3 editions can still matter to a particular buyer. Someone building a preservation collection, researching the original releases or seeking the feature set associated with those editions may regard the missing modes as a material omission, even if their main interest is the story.
At launch in 2015, purchasers of the collection also received temporary access to the Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End multiplayer beta while that beta was available. That was a time-limited promotional entitlement tied to the launch period. It was not a multiplayer mode included in the remastered trilogy and should not be treated as one when comparing editions today.
Convenience and platform fit
Why PS4 is the easier campaign platform
The collection places all three campaigns on PS4 in one package. You do not need to switch among separate PS3 releases to follow Drake’s story, and the remastered presentation is designed for a newer television environment than the original games’ launch period.
That convenience is especially valuable for a first-time player. The series has a continuous protagonist and escalating story, so moving from the first game into the second and third without changing hardware or edition reduces friction. It also makes the collection a straightforward entry point for someone who wants the trilogy before playing later Uncharted titles.
A single package also simplifies recommendations and household sharing decisions: one PS4 listing represents the three campaigns, while PS3 buyers must identify each original release separately. The collection’s order is fixed and clear, so newcomers can begin with Drake’s Fortune and continue through the trilogy without wondering which edition to install next.
What choosing PS3 requires
The original route means obtaining the PS3 editions and playing them in their original console context. You are choosing the release-era presentation and feature scope intentionally, not receiving the remaster’s technical revisions. Condition, completeness and regional edition can matter to collectors, so verify the specific disc or digital release you are buying rather than assuming every PS3 listing is identical.
Check that a listing is actually a PS3 game and not the PS4 collection using similar artwork. If multiplayer scope is part of your reason for buying, confirm that you are acquiring the original edition associated with the mode you want. Preservation-minded buyers may also care about case, manual, disc condition and region, but those are collecting considerations rather than differences in the campaigns themselves.
Which version should you buy?
Choose the Nathan Drake Collection if you want the trilogy’s campaigns
- You are playing the original trilogy for the first time.
- You want all three campaigns in one PS4 package.
- You prefer the collection’s official 1080p presentation and 60fps target.
- Improved lighting, models, textures and re-rendered movies matter to you.
- You want Photo Mode and a new collection-specific trophy path.
- You do not need the original PS3 multiplayer modes.
For this group, look for Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection for PS4, also described by sellers as the “Nathan Drake Collection PS4” or “Uncharted trilogy remaster.” Check the current seller, edition, region and stock before purchasing because those details can change independently of the game’s content.
Choose the PS3 versions if preservation is the priority
- You collect original PS3 releases or document games in their launch-era form.
- You specifically want the original hardware presentation and release context.
- You consider the original multiplayer modes part of the version you are preserving.
- You already own the PS3 editions and do not need a second campaign package.
This is a preservation recommendation, not a claim that the PS3 versions are technically superior. Their advantage is historical authenticity and original scope, while the collection’s advantage is modernized presentation and convenience.
Choose both when your goals are different
There is no contradiction in owning both. The collection can serve as the practical way to replay the campaigns, while the PS3 editions preserve the original releases for comparison, collecting or archival play. Treat them as two versions with different purposes rather than assuming one makes the other irrelevant.
A feature-by-feature comparison
| Question | Nathan Drake Collection | Original PS3 versions |
|---|---|---|
| Are all three stories present? | Yes: Drake’s Fortune, Among Thieves and Drake’s Deception | Yes, as separate original releases |
| What is the package scope? | Single-player campaigns only | Original edition scope, including the modes shipped with those releases |
| Resolution description | Officially described as 1080p | Original PS3-era presentation |
| Frame-rate description | Officially described with a 60fps target | Original PS3-era performance target and behavior |
| Lighting, models and textures | Improved according to the remaster materials | Original assets and rendering presentation |
| Movies | Re-rendered to incorporate visual improvements and display at 1080p and 60 FPS | Original movie presentation |
| Photo Mode | Included as a collection feature | Not part of the original releases’ feature set |
| Trophies | New collection trophies | Original PS3 trophy progression |
| Original Uncharted 2 and Uncharted 3 multiplayer | Not included | Associated with the original PS3 releases |
| Hardware context | PS4 remaster package | Original PS3 editions |
How to play the trilogy in the right order
- Start with Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune. It introduces Nathan Drake, Elena Fisher, Victor Sullivan and the series’ basic exploration and combat rhythm.
- Continue with Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. It develops the characters and stakes established in the first campaign.
- Finish with Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception. It concludes the original trilogy’s campaign arc.
The order is the same on PS4 and PS3. The collection does not rearrange the campaigns; its contribution is packaging and presentation.
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Common buying mistakes to avoid
Assuming “collection” means every PS3 feature
Confirm that the listing is for the Nathan Drake Collection and remember that its documented content is single-player only. Do not infer multiplayer inclusion from the presence of three complete campaigns.
Confusing the launch beta with included multiplayer
The Uncharted 4 multiplayer beta was a temporary launch-period entitlement. A current copy should not be evaluated as though that beta were a permanent mode in the collection.
Expecting a brand-new game
The collection remasters three existing campaigns. Its visual revisions and added features improve the way those games are presented, but it does not replace their stories with new campaigns or redesign their structure.
Ignoring edition and region details
When buying a physical copy, check the platform, edition, region and seller’s description. A PS3 listing and a PS4 collection listing are different products even when they use similar character artwork or refer to the same trilogy.
Reading technical targets as guarantees
Use the 1080p and 60fps language as the official description of the collection’s presentation. Do not turn it into an unsupported claim that every frame in every scene is identical or that your display will show the same result under all conditions.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Bottom-line decision
Buy the Nathan Drake Collection for a convenient, modern single-player run through the original trilogy. Its official 1080p presentation, 60fps target, revised visuals, re-rendered movies, Photo Mode and new trophies make it the strongest default for campaign-focused players.
Rank #4
- New Trophies - Brand-new trophies created exclusively for UNCHARTED’s debut on the PS4 system.
- Unparalleled Story - Play as Nathan Drake across a trilogy of thrilling, white-knuckle adventures. Experience Drake’s relationships with those closest to him, as he struggles to balance adventure and family.
- Photo Mode - Freeze gameplay at any time and take control of the camera to capture your most memorable moments from the trilogy to share with friends directly from your PS4 system. Utilize graphical filters, camera controls, and other options to customize your shot.
Buy the original PS3 versions when your priority is preserving the games as PS3 releases, including their original-hardware context and associated multiplayer scope. The collection is the better campaign package; the PS3 editions are the more faithful preservation choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Nathan Drake Collection better than the PS3 versions?
For most single-player players, yes. The PS4 collection puts all three campaigns in one package and adds an official 1080p presentation, a 60fps target, revised lighting, models and textures, re-rendered movies, Photo Mode and new trophies. The PS3 editions remain preferable for original-hardware preservation and their original feature scope.
Should I play Uncharted 1, 2 and 3 on PS3 or PS4?
Choose PS4 through the Nathan Drake Collection if you want the simplest modern campaign experience. Choose PS3 if you already own the original releases, collect them, or specifically want the games as they appeared on original hardware. The story order is identical on both platforms.
Does the Nathan Drake Collection include multiplayer?
No. The official PlayStation product page says the collection includes the single-player campaigns only. It does not include the original Uncharted 2 or Uncharted 3 multiplayer modes. The launch-era Uncharted 4 beta entitlement was temporary and is not a permanent collection mode.
Is Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection 60fps?
Naughty Dog’s 2015 announcement describes the remastered campaigns as targeting 60fps at 1080p on PS4. Treat that as the official technical target and presentation description, not as an independent measurement guaranteeing the same performance in every moment.
What is different in the Nathan Drake Collection?
The collection combines the three campaigns on PS4 and documents improved lighting, models and textures, re-rendered movies, Photo Mode and new trophies. Its principal omission is the original PS3 multiplayer scope, because the package is explicitly campaign-only.
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Yes. A 2015 PlayStation Blog feature breakdown says the movies were re-rendered to include the games’ visual improvements and to display at 1080p and 60 FPS. This keeps cinematic sequences more consistent with the remastered gameplay presentation.
Which version of the original Uncharted trilogy should I buy?
Buy Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection for PS4 if you want all three campaigns, modern presentation and convenience. Buy the PS3 editions if authenticity, collecting or the original release-era feature set is more important. Check the platform, edition, region, seller and current stock before ordering.
Does the collection change the stories or campaign order?
No. It contains the same three campaigns in the same order: Drake’s Fortune, Among Thieves, then Drake’s Deception. The remaster changes presentation and adds collection features; it does not replace the stories with new campaigns.
The Bottom Line
Best default: Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection for PS4, especially for a first-time or campaign-focused player. Choose the original PS3 editions for preservation, collecting or their original multiplayer scope. Verify the exact PS4 listing, region, seller and stock before buying.
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