Although Sony has delayed shutting down the PlayStation Store for their older consoles, they are now shoring up the store’s functionality on PlayStation 3 and Vita. For most of us this will make things a little more inconvenient but it’s going to result in Japan’s CERO Z-rated titles becoming unobtainable after October 27th. First, here is Sony’s official post about what is changing:
Starting 27th October, 2021, you can no longer use a credit or debit card, or a payment method such as PayPal, to buy digital content or add funds to your wallet when visiting PlayStation™Store on your PS3™ console or PS Vita system.
To buy digital content for your PS3 console or PS Vita system, you must first add sufficient funds to your wallet on PlayStation Store. You can add funds by redeeming a PlayStation Store gift card, using a credit or debit card, PayPal, or other available payment methods via a desktop computer, mobile device, a PS4 console or a PS5 console.
How would this affect games that have an in-game store? Can I purchase DLC in an in-game store?
You will still be able to purchase content (including DLC) via in-game stores, but you will need to use wallet funds to pay for the content on PlayStation Store. You will not be able to use a credit or debit card, or other payment methods such as PayPal to complete the purchase.Can I still use PlayStation Store gift cards on my PS3 console or PS Vita system?
Yes, PlayStation Store gift cards can be used on both PS3 consoles and PS Vita systems. Product vouchers and subscription vouchers can also be used.
So to make purchases on PlayStation 3 or Vita you’ll have two options: Redeem a points card through the console OR add the funds from a credit card or PayPal account by going through Sony’s website, mobile apps, or using a PlayStation 4 or 5. Then you can hop back onto PS3 or Vita to make the final purchase. Slightly annoying but still functional.
For Japan however, credit card verification is the only means that the PlayStation Store has to verify your age for a Z-rated purchase. With that functionality being pulled from the store there won’t be any way to complete the transaction meaning several titles will soon become unavailable in Japan. Ironically, the majority of these are Western releases, rated Z for their violent content or gore. That includes just about every entry in the Assassin’s Creed, Elder Scrolls, inFAMOUS, Grand Theft Auto, Far Cry, and Fallout franchises among others. However, there are a handful of Japanese-developed titles that are on the list that some of you might be on the lookout for.
- True Fashion God
- True Fashion God 2
- CHAOS;CHILD
- Onechanbara Z: Kagura with NoNoNo!
- Kamaitachi no Yoru: Rinne Saisei
I was able to find these on CERO’s own website that offers enough checkboxes to drill down to just Z-rated titles for specific platforms. There are probably several more PSone and PS2 Classics titles available on PlayStation 3 or Vita that will also become inaccessible in Japan. Sony’s Japanese support page confirms that owners of existing Z-rated titles will continue to be able to download them and even purchase any accompanying DLC.
Thanks to everyone who pointed out the news this morning. I’ve added the date to the Watch List calendar.