PS2 Getting the Axe at GameStop...Finally

This is what I mean when I say, "I'm going shopping."

 

The only decade-old platform that still has a sizable presence at GameStop locations around the country is about to see that designation stripped away. The gaming retail giant has announced that it will be removing PS2 shelf space to make room for the impending launch of Nintendo’s Wii successor, the Wii U. Locations in the nation’s heartland might not be subject to the overhaul, but populated areas along the coasts are definitely about to get the PS2 axe. And if you ask us, it's taken too damn long!

The announcement came from the company’s SVP of store operations Mike Dzura in a recent interview with The Verge. Dzura noted that areas like the Midwest take a bit longer to catch on to the latest technology. If you live in New York City or Los Angeles, though, expect to start seeing those PS2 shelves disappear in the next few weeks.

Sony’s legacy console is of course the longest-reigning system from the previous console generation. The Gamecube and Xbox fell out of production several years before the PS2. There is a huge meltdown of logic there, however, seeing as many of Gamecube and Xbox games, such as Super Smash Bros Melee and Halo respectively, were infinitely more popular than the entirety of the PS2 collection. Despite this, it is actually still possible to buy a new PS2 from local retailers, but mass production of the console was finally stopped after the price point became more mass market-friendly.

It makes sense to kill the console’s presence in a national retail chain which acts as a primary distributor for the latest game titles. Interestingly though, many of its locations have already scrapped shelf space from other systems to make room for revamped tablet sections, showcasing Android and iPad devices and their game-playing capabilities, which sadly is a money-making decision.

That's not to say that GameStop isn't a business and is wrong for trying to make a profit, but it is indeed moving outside of the principles it was founded on in order to keep up with the current revolutionization of technology. And, with game consoles ultimate suffering compared to the financial success they've seen in the past, such an approach makes a lot of fiscal sense. In fact, in some GameStop stores, this section is larger than the Wii section.

Go the hell away already, it's been 10 motherf***ing years!!!

Alas, when the very first brand new console in six years hits the market, consumer excitement and sheer, intense interest will dictate that the Wii U get a lot of focus in these stores. With an actual date for the Wii U's release, the PS2 will go out quietly. We'll miss you dearly. Or not. Yeah, probably not (my girlfriend will though).