Japanese PSP launch line-up fleshed out as third parties confirm dates

The software line-up for the launch of the PlayStation Portable in Japan next month is beginning to take shape, with six titles now confirmed to arrive on day one, a further four arriving four days later, and at least 12 more launching by the end of December.

The six games which are confirmed to arrive on December 12th represent a broad cross-section of publishers, with Namco's Ridge Racer, Capcom's Vampire Chronicle: The Chaos Tower, From Software's Armored Core Formula Front, Hudson's Rengoku: The Tower of Purgatory and Konami's Mahjong Fight Club joining Sony's own first party title Everybody's Golf Portable in the launch range.

Four days later on December 16th, Konami's Metal Gear Acid will arrive for the system (conveniently on the same day that Metal Gear Solid 3 ships in Japan) along with Koei's Dynasty Warriors, a further Namco title in the form of Kotoba no Puzzle Mojipittan Daijiten, and Sony's cute cat-like Japanese mascot's first PSP outing, Dokodemo Issho.

That gives the PSP ten titles within its first week on sale, which is a healthy range given some of the brand names - Ridge Racer, Metal Gear Solid, Dynasty Warriors, Armored Core - on offer in that early line-up of software. There are also no fewer than three Mahjong games promised for the fortnight or so of the console's launch, which is bound to keep some segments of the Japanese market happy, we're sure.

Several other games are also confirmed to be released in December, but have not been given exact dates as yet, including EA's Tiger Woods PGA Tour and Need For Speed Underground Rivals titles, both of which may yet make the launch date.

Further titles from Koei (Shin Sangoku Musou, better known as Samurai Warriors, and Mahjong Taikai), Bandai (Lumines and Legend of Eiyuu Gagharv Trilogy: Shiroki Majo), Taito (Puzzle Bobble Pocket) and Marvelous Interactive (three board games in the AI Series range, including Go, Shougi (Japanese Chess) and Mahjong) are also yet to be dated but are set for December release.

Sega's first game for the PSP, meanwhile, won't appear until later in the month, with Puyo Puyo Fever set to launch in the Far East on Christmas Eve, December 24th, 12 days after the arrival of the console.