Technology and time cannot be stopped, that’s for sure. I remember people staring in wide-eyed wonder at the import PlayStation 2 I had standing in my store, running an apparently mind-blowing copy of Fantavision. You’d think the world was coming to an end with the nervous excitement.

But that was another lifetime ago, and now the PS2, one of the best – and the best-selling – consoles of all-time can now be found at a boot sale for ten bucks, bundled with a greasy controller and a scratched-beyond-belief disc of San Andreas. Sunrise, sunset and all that.

This week is the end of an era, as Sony Japan has announced that they are ceasing aftercare support of the famous black box. September 7 is named as the last day official technicians will repair any incoming PS2 consoles. After that, you’re on your own, relying on your mate’s “foolproof” technique of getting your ailing machine to play blue discs again.

Releasing way back in 2000, the PlayStation 2 was an amazing success. The console would go on to establish a library of nearly 2000 games, even dallying with early online gaming, before its eventual global retirement in 2013. I tip my hat to thee, King of Kings.

Sony Japan end aftercare support for PlayStation 2 [itmedia / Kotaku]

Pour one out: Sony Japan stops providing technical support for PlayStation 2 screenshot

Source: Destructoid Pour one out: Sony Japan stops providing technical support for PlayStation 2