PSN Import Store

[Hayabusa85]

PSN Import Store Launching Next Week With Cho Aniki, Gaia Seed

Sony Computer Entertainment America will launch a new Imports service for its PlayStation Store next week, which will offer previously Japan-only titles like Cho Aniki and Gaia Seed.

The company expects to debut the imports shop, which will consist of PSOne Classics, with its September 21st update. The Japanese titles will not feature English translations or localized elements, and will instead be presented in their "pure, unadulterated form."

Newly established firm MonkeyPaw Games, which is publishing Cho Aniki and Gaia Seed (as well as other future import games), says it's focusing on bringing over "titles that are easy to navigate" to accommodate non-Japanese players.

"You may wonder why some of the great Japanese titles you hear about in the press never make it to Western markets," explains MonkeyPaw president John Greiner. "There are numerous reasons, but the biggest is translation."

Greiner continues, "A lot of cost goes into translation thus profitability becomes tenuous for many titles. Remove that barrier and a world of Japanese wonder comes rushing to your screen."

The studio describes Cho Aniki, Pre-Stage's PS1 shoot-'em-up that debuted in 1995, as a title considered "just too weird for publishers to gamble on," what with its homoerotic themes and strange digitized characters and scenes.

Techno Soleil's Gaia Seed, initially released for PS1 in 1996, is a more traditional horizontal shoot-'em-up, notable for its recharging health bar and offbeat but fetching techno soundtrack. Import copies of the game sometimes sell for hundreds at auction.

"We reckon there’s a pretty good appetite for these classics and we’ve priced them at a reduced rate to keep your impulsive curiosity piqued," adds Greiner. Gamers will be able to purchase both import games for $5.99 each.

Here is hoping it will eventually expand to PSN games as well instead of just the PS1 Classics

[Rike255]

This is what the maintenance is for tomorrow then? Neat!

[MOONPHASE]

I don't care about the current import titles on the store that are available right now but for someone like me who really loves Japanese games but missed out on so many of them because of not reaching America, this will be perfect for me when better titles start showing up.

[AikonEnt]

Can't you just use an account set up for another territory to get these things anyway? Or are there issues when you want to actually buy instead of just downloading the free stuff?

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by AikonEnt

Can't you just use an account set up for another territory to get these things anyway? Or are there issues when you want to actually buy instead of just downloading the free stuff?

Well I have a Japanese PSN account, but importing the Japanese PSN cards is very expensive and so I have to use those wisely. I've only bought 2 10,000 yen cards and they're like $130 each plus shipping For U.S. store, nothing's stopping me from buying them since I don't have those kind of restraints. The only restraint I have right now is just wanting better games.

[Hayabusa85]

Originally Posted by AikonEnt

Can't you just use an account set up for another territory to get these things anyway? Or are there issues when you want to actually buy instead of just downloading the free stuff?

You can only use a credit card from the country of the PS Store. The HK one used to allow you to use a credit card from anywhere but they changed that which sucked since the HK store would get a mixture of exclusives from the Japanese, UK and North America stores.

So the other way is having to buy network tickets. The Japanese ones are the easiest to get and there are a lot of ways to get them and have them e-mailed to you instead of shipped. But the prices are pretty high for those so if this is done well and expands to PSN games it will be much cheaper.

Also with PS1 classics to use them on the PSP you have to use the same account and can only have one account on the PSP unlike the PS3 where you can change accounts. So if you had stuff you purchased from multiple regions it caused problems. This will allow people to use the same account.

Shocked that they have a PS+ discount. Was going to buy both anyway and now I can get both for the price of one to make it all the better. Here is hoping it won't just be these ones it applies to. Will buy a ton of them at $3 but at $6 might worry a little more about the language barrier. Hope to see some fighters soon. Already purchased a fair bit of fighters from the Japanese and HK stores but still others that I am hoping for.

If they expand to PSN games I hope to see Spelunker Black. Already have Spelunker HD and have been wanting Black too. Games that are equal parts rage and addictie FTW!

[jonsmith369]

Patiently waiting for Tobal 2. Make it happen please.

[Musashi]

DDR and Pop'n Music would make good additions.

[aphex]

Originally Posted by Musashi

DDR and Pop'n Music would make good additions.

don't forget iidx!


Of course, I guess I'd have to get a ps2 controller adapter and hope there aren't syncing issues.

[Musashi]

Originally Posted by aphex

don't forget iidx!


Of course, I guess I'd have to get a ps2 controller adapter and hope there aren't syncing issues.

True that. If there really is a PS3 DDR being made they need such an adapter so I can use my metal pad.

I'll say too: While the US release of Beatmania didn't have the greatest songlist, it did make it possible to get a iiDX Controller for $30.