Production Ends for the PlayStation Vita in Japan

It's a tough year for game consoles, it seems. After nearly eight years in service, the PlayStation Vita has entered the first steps toward the end. Production of the last two PS Vita models has ended.

First reported by Gematsu, The official Sony Interactive Entertainment Japan website has changed their listings for the PS Vita in Japan. The last two models remaining, the PS Vita Black and the PS Vita Aqua Blue, now read "Shipments Ended." in their descriptions.

There were hints that this was coming. March will be the first month that PlayStation Plus subscribers will not be given PS Vita games as part of their monthly "free game" selection. And with Nintendo dominating the portable market with the 3DS and Switch, it's no wonder that the Vita would have struggled to keep up.

This detail is only found on the Japanese website for the models. But if you visit the North American page, the "buy now" link will instead display a message, notifying you that the model is not currently available.

My heart is still tender from when Nintendo closed down the Wii Shop Channel for the Nintendo Wii last month. If you want a PS Vita, but never had the chance, various third-party retailers have them available online for around $270.