LittleBigPlanet 3 Is the Most Recent Victim of Delisted Games

Featured image credit: Sony Interactive Entertainment

When games are delisted, you can no longer purchase them from online stores. LittleBigPlanet 3 has met its fate after 10 strong years on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4. Why do companies remove popular games from the store? Here’s what you need to know about LittleBigPlanet 3 and other disappearing games. 

LittleBigPlanet 3 Joins the Delisted Games Crew

At the end of October, Sony removed LittleBigPlanet 3 from the PlayStation store, concluding a decade-long run for the popular game. The third edition continued one of the publisher’s most successful franchises, with the 2008 title starting it all. Now, you can’t hop on your PlayStation 3, 4 or 5 to purchase the game and start playing. 

Why is the game disappearing? The game relied on online servers to function and it faced numerous hacks. Due to the cybersecurity liabilities, Sony removed the title and all its DLC from the PlayStation Store. In the best-case scenario, the video game company will have a re-release for the PS5 and future consoles. However, there is no indication of future plans at this time.

How Can You Play LittleBigPlanet After Delisting?

So, what are your options in 2024 and beyond? You must have a physical copy of the game to play it. When games become delisted, there’s no way to purchase digital editions unless they return later. For instance, the game may re-appear for a special anniversary or a movie premiere. Otherwise, you’ll have to ask a friend for their copy or locate one in a store. 

LittleBigPlanet 3’s delisting is more significant than other games because of how popular it became. With the main series and spin-offs, it sold over 10 million copies in nearly two decades. Plus, Sumo Digital and Sony created the game for the PlayStation 3, adding to the surprise of its delisting. Now, it will have to live in the memories of gamers. 

Why Are Games Delisted?

When your favorite titles leave Steam or the PlayStation store, it’s a sad day. Feel free to hold a candlelight memorial for your beloved games. That said, there are reasons for these departures. Here are a few explanations for delisted games. 

1. Licensing

The most common reason is expiring licenses, which lead to delisted games. If a publisher has a five-year contract, they must remove the title after the agreement ends, and no extension is available. You must also consider the minor game details, such as the music. Artists may choose not to renew their license for a title, thus leading to its delisting. 

2. Sales

If sales for a game are poor, the publisher may cut its losses and decide to remove the game from online stores. Only some games can be as successful as the Mario franchise, so companies could delist it to focus on other titles. One example is Afro Samurai 2: Revenge of Kuma, released in 2015. It’s among the worst titles ever, so getting delisted didn’t take long. 

3. Misleading Practices 

Most games get a fair shot on Steam or the PlayStation store before getting delisted. However, misleading or fraudulent activities could lead to a swift removal. A notable example occurred in 2021 when Frogwares removed its own game from Steam. The developer said Nacon, the publisher, relisted the game on Steam without their permission. Therefore, it only lasted a month. 

4. Online Servers

Some titles have single-player campaigns, whereas others require online servers to function. In these cases, you may see quicker delisted games if it malfunctions or the game is too old. In 2020, Rockstar Games took down the GTA Online servers for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 4. However, you can still get on single-player mode and roam if you desire

5. Current Events

Sometimes, what goes on in the news affects the video game stores. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shocked the world and had technological ramifications. Plague Inc. lets you control a pathogen and infect as many people as possible. Due to the game’s premise, the Chinese government removed it from app stores and said it contained illegal content. 

What Are the Most Popular Delisted Games?

If a title is popular, it will likely remain available for a long time. However, the popularity will eventually wane, or the licensing will expire. Here are some of the most notable delisted games in recent years. 

1. Grand Theft Auto

If you enjoy GTA 5, go back and play the older games. In 2021, Rockstar re-released Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City and San Andreas to introduce these key franchise titles to the younger generations. While the remastered edition was welcome, it led to the originals being delisted. The change marked a sad day, considering GTA III was fun to mod and enjoyed with 3D graphics. 

2. Minecraft: Story Mode

Minecraft has sold over 300 million copies, so it’s among the most successful video games ever. However, lesser-known spin-offs have existed and been delisted since their arrival. For instance, Minecraft: Story Mode left all platforms after Telltale Games shut down in 2018. This title relied on online servers, so a physical copy might not help you play this game today. 

3. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater

Tony Hawk is a household name, and his video games are among the best cult classics. However, most of the titles are no longer available for purchase. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 5, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater HD and similar games are delisted and nowhere to be found on digital platforms. Once music licenses expire, it’s hard to keep a game like that available for consumers.

4. The Legend of Korra

If you ask anybody about Avatar: The Last Airbender or The Legend of Korra, you’ll hear nothing but rave reviews. The Legend of Korra debuted on all platforms in 2014, shortly following the show’s conclusion. However, it only lasted for three years, considering the expiring license. There are only digital copies of the game, so there’s no shot at finding a disc. 

5. Flappy Bird

The Flappy Bird era was short-lived but took the world by storm. Dong Nguyen released the game in the spring of 2013 before it exploded in popularity later that year. By the beginning of 2014, it was an international sensation. However, Nguyen delisted the game after learning of addiction stories. After it was removed from the App Store and Google Play, people sold phones with Flappy Bird for extraordinary prices. 

Enjoying Games Before They Become Delisted

In today’s digital world, physical copies of games are hardly a thing. Digital downloads are great because they save space in your room and help you worry less about unreadable discs. However, digital-only games are much harder to find after being delisted. Popular titles like LittleBigPlanet 3 are no longer available and only exist if you were lucky enough to buy them beforehand.