- The Xbox 360 online marketplace has officially gone offline.
- In the past, Nintendo also discontinued the online stores and multiplayer support for the Wii, Wii U, and 3DS.
- This leaves the PS3 as the only 7th-generation console with a functioning online store.
After a surprise announcement last year, Microsoft officially shut down the Xbox 360 digital marketplace yesterday. This marked the end of an era, concluding a nearly two-decade-long journey for Microsoft’s most successful console.
However, the Xbox 360 is not alone here. In fact, it’s far from the only console of its generation to face this situation. Today, the PS3 is now the only 7th-generation console with both an active store and online access.
Why it matters: The Xbox 360 and PS3 are often considered among the best consoles of their time. With the former losing its marketplace, the end is near for the 7th generation of console gaming.
Nintendo was the first to discontinue its oldest consoles. Back in 2022, it already announced the closure of the Wii U and 3DS eShop services. However, Nintendo’s 7th-generation offering was the Wii.
This console’s online shop was closed down as early as 2019, bringing an end to what was the best-selling hardware of that generation. Moreover, all three of these consoles have lost online multiplayer functionality.
As for PlayStation, it intended to close shop before Xbox. However, after an abrupt announcement several years back, Sony walked back on this decision. Since then, there have been no updates on when PS3 support will be discontinued.
With recent rumors pointing to the end of active support and a PS3 emulator for the PS5, this may happen sooner rather than later. However, for now, the PS3 reigns supreme as the last major console from the 7th generation.
It is also important to note that the PS Vita Store is still up and running. This console, while far from a huge success, continues to have an enthusiast fan following, making it quite important for Sony.
For what it’s worth, we recommend fans cherish their PS3 and its library while it’s still there. There’s no telling when Sony will make a similar announcement since the console only has about 2 million monthly active users today.
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[Senior News Reporter]
Avinash is currently pursuing a Business degree in Australia. For more than 5 years, he has been working as a gaming journalist, utilizing his writing skills and love for gaming to report on the latest updates in the industry. Avinash loves to play action games like Devil May Cry and has also been mentioned on highly regarded websites, such as IGN, GamesRadar, GameRant, Dualshockers, CBR, and Gamespot.
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