14 years after launch, PS3 just got a new system update

The PlayStation 3 has received another system update, just a month before Sony was originally due to close down the PS3 digital store.

System update version 4.88 requires at least 200MB to install, but according to Sony’s patch notes it only “improves system performance”.

It’s the 60th update the console has received since it launched in November 2006, though it should be noted that none of the updates have added anything of note for a number of years now.

The last update that didn’t simply improve performance or add something routine like updated Blu-ray security keys was system update 4.50, which was released back in October 2013.

That update allowed all players to enable automatic updates on their console, a feature that was only available to PlayStation Plus subscribers before then.

The new system update comes just a month before the PS3 was originally due to have its digital storefront removed.

Sony had announced in March that it was to close down the PS3 and PSP stores on July 2, followed by the Vita store on August 27.

The announcement proved controversial, as it became clear that a number of digital-only games would no longer be available for purchase on any format.

However, a few weeks later Sony u-turned on the announcement and decided to keep the PS3 and Vita stores open.

Further reading

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Sony u-turns on PS3 and Vita store closures: ‘We made the wrong decision’

PSP store will still close as planned in July

In a statement published in April, SIE president Jim Ryan said that the platform holder had realised it had made “the wrong decision” in planning to close the stores.

Users will continue to be able to purchase digital games on PS3 and PS Vita, but the PSP store will still close as planned on July 2.