A significant move… The end of an era: Sony stops the repairs for PS2 After a decade of being one of those fixtures in gaming (since its launch in 2000, dropping back to only being made on specific models), Sony has officially ceased its repair services on the PlayStation 2. PS2 production came to a halt in 2013, but the September 4, 2018 announcement confirms that Sony Japan will no longer service requests for repairs. The decision brings to an end the life of a bestselling game console with more than 155m units shipped worldwide, and still praised by many gamers today.
Historical Context
At the time, it was revolutionary since it doubled as a DVD player and boasted a massive library of games. Overcoming time, its long life demonstrates both appeal and first-hand enjoyment to many well-disposed game creators. But the challenge of preserving older hardware becomes more difficult as technology progresses.
Impact on Gamers
The end of repairs for these malfunctioning PS2 units stands as the signal that finally, after all this time, it’s best to turn to other consoles whether you’re propping up old faithful bags of dust – or not. This may then reduce options for PS2 games and peripherals, impinging on the historical presence of the console in gaming.
Future of Retro Gaming
And while official support for this system may have ended the culture of retro gaming continues to celebrate virtually any hardware that actually runs, even if many players prefer homebrew carts. And so fans are looking to emulate and remaster old games on contemporary platforms instead. The PS2’s legacy will no doubt continue to be replayed through these outlets, ensuring younger generations will get a taste of the console’s biggest hits.PlayStation 2 (ad)
But ultimately, with Sony ending repairs on its 20-year-old console, the PS2 lives on most significantly in memory and the culture it helped shape.
