Just over a month ago, we brought you the news that in Japan, the PlayStation Portable was receiving some very desirable new online functionality, in the form of a direct PSP store for digital downloads, and an infrastructure mode to allow formerly adhoc-only PSP titles to be played over the internet. While we still haven’t the foggiest if either will be making it stateside, today we can at least stimulate hatred and jealousy of our Japanese neighbors by providing you with the details.
On October 15th, the Japanese PSP Store will open for business with a full-featured catalog of 250 items — new games, ‘game archives,’ demos, trailers, DLC, the works. If you own a PS3, you can use your existing PlayStation Network account to log in, or create a new one right on the PSP. Some of the content will be free, like the new Mainichi Issho Portable (a game that was entirely off our radar until this very moment), and others will require payment via the PSN wallet system at prices (300-600 yen) comparable to those in the existing PS3 store.
In other words, there’s now a direct PSP connection to the existing PSP store. You no longer need a PS3 to unlock your portable’s full potential. What else is new?
Sony’s newfound commitment to digital distribution on PSP, that’s what. As part and parcel of the PSP Store announcement, Sony has decreed that from now on, all first-party games released by Sony Japan will be downloadable at PSP Store day and date with retail. Let’s try that again, direct from the press release:
To further enhance the game line-up of PlayStation Store for PSP, all UMD titles to be released from SCEJ will become available in downloadable version as well at release.
You can find a list of exactly which titles are currently slated for simultaneous download at the bottom of this article. Meanwhile, let’s talk about “Adhoc Party,” the PSP’s new infrastructure mode. Starting October 30th, the Adhoc Party beta will be available as a free download on Japanese PSN, and will, in addition to allowing 2.5 million gamers play Monster Hunter Freedom 2G and Phantasy Star Portable over the internet, allow you to log into lobbies and use a Bluetooth headset or PlayStation Eye for full in-game voice chat.
There seem to be any number of caveats when it comes to Adhoc Party — you’ll need both PS3 and PSP, of course; not all adhoc PSP titles are supported; 20GB PS3s aren’t supported; as a beta service, it will no doubt have its share of bugs — but the payoff sounds like it will be worth a little bit of trial and error.
I don’t know about you all, but if Sony decides to announce these services for the US — and speed up their PS1 to PSP/PS3 pipeline — I will find it rather difficult to resist jumping up from my chair, running off to the store and finally picking up a PSP for myself.
Upcoming PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) Game Titles Available in UMD and in Downloadable Version from PlayStation®Store for Japan
Destroy All Heros 2 – October 16, 2008
BLEACH -SOUL CARNIVAL — October 23, 2008
Secret Agent Clank — November 20, 2008
PATAPON2 DonChaka♪ — November 27, 2008
LocoRoco2 — December 4, 2008
ENKAKU SOUSA -23 days for the “Truth” — This Winter
APE QUEST™ — TBD
Gunshot and the Diamonds (working title) — Spring 2009
RESISTANCE: Retribution – Spring 2009
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October 9th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
[...] more here: Sony Japan Launches PSP Store Oct. 15 — ‘Adhoc Party’ Beta Oct. 30 — All New First-Party PSP… Download Fun Free Games [...]
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