Sony Ends PlayStation 2 Service In Japan Nearly Two Decades After Release

It's the end of an era for Sony and the PlayStation 2, as the company has revealed that it will be ending its PS2 repair program in Japan. That repair program is being ended nearly two decades after the console first launched, which is pretty ridiculous when you think about it. Then again, the PlayStation 2 found unprecedented success, so the idea that Sony would support it for so long after release shouldn't really come as a shock.

After all, the PlayStation 2 holds the distinction of being the best selling console of all time, with more than 150 million units sold. The Nintendo Wii and the original PlayStation are the only other home consoles that have exceeded 100 million units sold, and it doesn't seem very likely that any other console will manage to exceed the PS2's numbers anytime soon.

In any case, Sony reminded users about the end to its after-sales service in an update posted to its Japanese site. We've known that this day was coming for a couple of months now, as Sony initially announced that it would end PS2 repairs back in June. Customers had until August 31 to apply for repairs, and their consoles need to be received by September 7.

Officially, the PS2 was discontinued in Japan on December 28, 2012 – more than 12 years after launch – and around the world about a week later. It's worth pointing out that it was only a month after discontinuing the PS2 that Sony announced the PlayStation 4, so Sony was still producing PlayStation 2 units throughout most of the PS3's lifespan.

So, the PS2 has indeed enjoyed quite the run. It's hard to imagine many people looking to get their console repaired at the last minute all these years later, but we're sure there are at least a few who are still working their way through the vast library of games the PS2 offered. What was your favorite PS2 game back in the day? Head down to the comments section and let us know!