Sony closed the PlayStation Portable‘s digital storefront, but fans can still purchase and download PSP games via the PS3 and PS Vita stores. In late March, Sony confirmed plans to shutter the storefronts for PSP, PS3, and PS Vita; following an outcry from fans, the platform-holder reversed course. The PS3 and Vita digital shops will remain operational for the foreseeable future; unfortunately, the PSP marketplace took its last breath today, July 2.

Many were led to believe that a vast chunk of PlayStation Portable’s impressive library of games would be lost forever. As a result, the internet has become inundated with lists and YouTube videos informing PSP owners about which games to purchase before the handheld console’s store goes offline permanently. A recent update from PlayStation Support suggests fans can set aside their worries for a little while longer, though.

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In closing the PSP marketplace, PlayStation issued an “important notice” on its support page, first spotted by ResetEra users. Notably, the new information confirms that PlayStation owners will still have the option to purchase and play PSP games through the PS3 and PS Vita shops. In-game content purchases for PSP titles, on the other hand, will no longer be available starting July 6, 2021. This particular segment on the PlayStation Support page appears as follows:

It seems the PlayStation Portable will continue to live on, though minimally, for a little while longer. Of course, this raises questions about what the future for PlayStation’s legacy platforms holds. PlayStation CEO and President Jim Ryan did not offer an end date upon confirming plans to keep the PS3 and PS Vita stores running for the foreseeable future. But eventually, they, too, will be laid to rest. Can fans rest assured that PSP, PS3, and PS Vita games will survive on the backs of PS4 and PS5 consoles when the need arises?

That much does not seem feasible at present, given that PS4 and PS5 owners remain unable to use their modern systems to download games from the aforementioned legacy devices. Hopefully, Sony plans on one day rolling out a backward compatibility solution capable of stretching through its decades of consoles. As time goes on, though, such a reveal continues to look less and less likely.

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Sony shuttered the PlayStation Portable’s digital storefront today, Friday, July 2.

Source: PlayStation, ResetEra via Eurogamer

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Brianna Reeves
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A Senior Writer on Screen Rant’s Game News team, Brianna Reeves graduated from Sam Houston Statue University in 2018 with a Master of Arts in English Literature. Brianna’s enthusiasm for games dates back to Mortal Kombat Trilogy on PlayStation 1, along with classics like MediEvil, Syphon Filter, and THPS2. However, Red Dead Redemption reinvigorated her love for the medium; hopefully, that passion reflects in the work she has contributed to Comic Book Resources, PlayStation LifeStyle, GVMERS, and Screen Rant.

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