A press release from MonkeyPaw Games indicates that Imports on the PlayStation Store is starting up on the PlayStation Network next week, with shooters Cho Aniki and GaiaSeed acting as launch titles for the new service.
We've heard a PlayStation Network import store talked about in rumors before, but this is the first concrete information we can recall seeing about the service (see update below), which will allow North American players to purchase Japanese titles directly through PSN in their original form.
According to MonkeyPaw Games, the service launches on September 21, and will give games that never made it overseas a chance to shine. Games like Cho Aniki, the bizarre shooter filled with half naked men and the pulsing techno beat of GaiaSeed.
We've heard absolutely nothing from Sony regarding the new service at this point, and it seems strange that MonkeyPaw would drop this news before Sony itself. We've reached out to Sony Computer Entertainment America for comment, and will update once the company responds.
Update: Our bad! Sony actually mentioned the PlayStation Imports in a PlayStation Blog post from September 8. We just weren't paying attention. I blame society.
Thanks to Steve for setting us straight!
In the meantime, visit MonkeyPaw Games for details on the games and instructions on how to play for the Japanese-impaired.