MANILA, Philippines – It’s the beginning of the end, at least for those who understand the importance of December 28 (US Time) in gaming history.

Japanese gaming website Famitsu reported that Sony’s PlayStation 2 (PS2) has stopped shipping to retail outlets in Japan. What this basically means for gamers in Japan is that once that last PS2 unit is sold in Japan, the era of the PS2 will cease in that region.

CNET adds that Sony does plan to keep making and selling PS2 games, though no word has yet been made regarding the PlayStation 2 in the US and other territories. While it’s still possible that the console will continue on as a gaming console in the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, China, and India) markets, Sony may want to redeploy its manpower for other projects, such as a successor to the current generation console known as the PlayStation 3.

Released in March 4, 2000, the PlayStation 2 has sold approximately over 155 million units, currently making it the most popular gaming machine of all time.

For those gamers who remember the PlayStation 2 fondly as a companion during the weekends and summer breaks, raising a glass of your favorite soda to the iconic machine may be a good way to send off the system as it enters the record books. – Rappler.com