Time comes for us all — even video game systems that were once on the cutting edge.
GameStop officially declared the Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3 and Nintendo Wii U as “retro consoles” on Monday.
“The ruling was reached following careful analysis of multiple indicators including: the presence of component cables, the lack of Fortnite, and the realization that they launched when George W. Bush was still president,” GameStop said in a statement.
Microsoft launched the Xbox 360 in 2005, and Sony countered with the PS3 in 2006. The Wii U, Nintendo’s follow-up to the Wii from 2006, was released a bit later in 2012.
The three consoles now join the likes of other beloved video game systems in the retro category, including the Sega Saturn and Nintendo DS.
The news led to some devastated reactions from fans reminiscing about when the consoles were new. However, GameStop reassured gamers that they — nor the consoles — are actually over the hill.
“GameStop would also like to remind the public that while these systems are now officially classified as retro, they are still very cool, and anyone who owned one at launch is absolutely not old,” the company said.
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GameStop also announced it will begin accepting defective retro consoles for trade. Customers can trade in the consoles even if they are non-operable, missing accessories or “aesthetically unfortunate” — they only need to power up.
GameStop names Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Wii U retro consoles
