When Sony launched the PS5 at the end of 2020, it was a sigh of relief for many that it would be fully backward compatible with PS4 titles. However, for those hoping for a bit more, it was also a double-edged sword of disappointment as well since it began and ended with PS4 titles. There was no way to access the vast library from PlayStation’s past from the PS1 to the PS Vita on the system. And now, it seems a lot of it will be lost to time.
A recent report from TheGamer states they’ve heard from reliable sources that Sony is planning to shut down the stores for the PS3, PSP and PS Vita. That would mean that you would no long be able to purchase digital games or DLC from any of those stores. Most likely you would still be able to download any purchase you made in the past, similar to the situation when Nintendo closed down the Wii shop, but the details are unclear at this time.
As of now we have to treat this as a rumor, but it would not be hugely surprising with the PS5 not being BC with pre-PS4 gens, and the stores themselves no longer being updated. I would wager that if there’s any digital game or DLC you were planning to get on those stores but haven’t as of yet, now may be as good a time as any.