PlayStation 2 discontinued in Japan

After 13 years of faithful service, the original Big Black Box is shaking hands with colleagues, giving a teary farewell speech, and accepting a lovingly engraved retirement gift.

Famitsu reports that Sony Japan ceased shipping PlayStation 2 to Japanese retailers as of December 28, 2012.

The console first launched in Japan on March 4, 2000, meaning it was in continuous production for that territory for 12 years and nine months.

PlayStation 2 units are still being produced and sold in other territories.

Although it doesn't hold the record in every individual territory, the PlayStation 2 is the global best-selling console of all time, with over 150 million sales to date. There are well in excess of 10,000 PS2 games and software sales pipped the 1.5 billion mark in early 2011. Games - mainly yearly sports titles - were still being released for the system in 2012.

Thanks, Joystiq.