Sony Japan Shuts Down PlayStation 2 Aftercare Repair Service

Sony Interactive Entertainment’s Japan-based PlayStation 2 aftercare repair service has closed, marking the end of an era for what stands as the best-selling console ever produced. Though production of the console seized over 6 years ago back in 2012, Sony’s aptly named PlayStation Clinic has continued to provide after sales repairs and servicing for the iconic 6th generation console to Japanese owners.

Word of Sony shutting down support was first echoed back in June when PlayStation 2 owners were given notice

of a August 31st cut-off date for a last bout of repairs. Repair forms completed after this date would not be serviced by Sony, and those having applied in time have until September 7th to send in their faulty consoles to the clinic. Sony notes not all repairs may be serviceable due to a dwindling stock of components. From now on owners with defective units who’ve missed the deadline will have to seek help from unofficial repair shops rather than the manufacturer.

The PlayStation 2 launched in March 2000, selling over 150 million units world wide over the course of 12 years with nearly two-decades of aftercare support from Sony. Today’s news is a bitter-sweet moment in gaming history and for many of us the console harks back to a simpler time in the gaming world. No loot boxes, no huge towering publishing leviathans, and a feeling that the best was still to come for the fledgling medium.

The console was the home to countless classics and represented a seismic shift in the power offered by home consoles, paving the road for the ubiquity of online multiplayer, and the console system as an entertainment unit for gaming, music, films, and TV.

It’s with a heavy heart that we pay our respects to the mighty PlayStation 2 and tip our cap to Sony for such prolonged dedication to servicing their customer base well beyond what many would expect.