At some point, you have to wonder if time has passed the PlayStation 3 & Vita platforms by (even though one of them was undeservedly underrated in the West).

A few months ago, we reported that Sony was closing PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PlayStation Vita versions of the PlayStation Store. Gamers on two platforms were not happy about this. While they did indeed put a padlock on the PSP (meaning you either have to resort to emulation or modding your handheld… unless you want to get into second-hand UMDs), the “blues” backed down on the PlayStation 3 & Vita, leaving the two older platforms alive with the arrival of PlayStation 5.

But with time running out for official purchases, it’s only a step away from closing the PlayStation Store. So from 27 October, you won’t be able to buy anything on PlayStation 3 or PlayStation Vita from the PlayStation Store using your credit or debit card, and PayPal will no longer work either. Topping up your balance using these methods on the two platforms won’t work either. Sony reasons that it is no longer safe to buy directly from the PS3/Vita pair, and this could be a way to push people towards PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5. (And the Vita users should go with the Nintendo Switch…?)

You can still shop, though: “Access the PlayStation Store via your desktop computer, mobile device, PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 console. Use a credit or debit card, PayPal or another available payment method to add the minimum amount required to your wallet to cover the cost of the content you want to buy. You can also add funds to your wallet by redeeming a PlayStation Store gift card,” Sony claims. It’s an inconvenient solution, but it’s certainly not a direct one; let’s not deny that…

It’s about time, as the PlayStation 3 turns 15 in November and the PlayStation Vita turns 10 in December – (the successor to the PSP launched in Japan on 17 December 2011). And Sony may not be keen to keep the PlayStation 3 & Vita server infrastructure alive, as the number of players on both platforms is likely to be a fraction of the PlayStation 4/PlayStation 5.

But Sony has itself to thank for this: unlike Microsoft, Jim Ryan’s retroactive support is almost a big deal… amazingly, they couldn’t even manage to support PlayStation 3 on PlayStation 5.

Source: JVL