PSP site live in Japan, December lineup confirmed

TOKYO--With the PlayStation Portable release in Japan nearing, Sony Computer Entertainment has opened a Web portal dedicated to the handheld. A majority of the release dates for the games haven't changed from the retailer's list we reported on last week, but there are a few new dates.

Taito's Puzzle Bobble Pocket has been dated for release on December 22, and Hudson's Rengoku: The Tower of Purgatory and Electronic Arts' Need for Speed Underground Rivals have been changed to an unspecified release date in December.

Bandai's Lumines, Eiyuu Densetsu Gagharv Trilogy, and Electronic Arts' Tiger Woods PGA Tour are no longer seen in SCE's list for December. Considering that they're not even posted in the unspecified date section, it's possible that the games might be delayed for releases next year.

Preorders for Sony's PSP are slowly beginning to appear at a handful of online stores in Japan, but they're quickly selling out due to heavy demand and extremely limited quantities. Sony will begin taking preorders at its official online store beginning Friday.

With availability of PSPs unknown, retailers are not accepting preorders as of yet. It looks as though the preorder rush for the eagerly anticipated handheld will have to wait until the end of November.

The official PSP game lineup, as of November 15, is listed below.

December 12:
Vampire Chronicle: The Chaos Tower (Capcom)
Mahjong Taikai (Koei)
Mahjong Fight Club (Konami)
Minna-no Golf Portable (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Ridge Racers (Namco)
Armored Core Formula Front (From Software)

December 16:
Dynasty Warriors (Koei)
Metal Gear Acid (Konami)
Kollon (Cyberfront)
Dokoemo Issho (Sony Computer Entertainment)
Kotoba no Puzzle Mojipittan Daijiten (Namco)

December 22:
Puzzle Bobble Pocket (Taito)
AI Series Igo (Marvelous Interactive)
AI Series Shougi (Marvelous Interactive)
AI Series Mahjong (Marvelous Interactive)

December 24:
Puyo Puyo Fever (Sega)

December 30:
Piposaru Academia: Dossari Saru-gee Daizenshuu! (Sony Computer Entertainment)

Games without specific dates but slated for releases in December:
Rengoku: The Tower of Purgatory (Hudson)
Need for Speed Underground Rivals (Electronic Arts KK)

Games no longer listed for releases in December:
Tiger Woods PGA Tour (Electronic Arts KK)
Lumines (Bandai)
Eiyuu Densetsu Gagharv Trilogy: Shiroki Majo (Bandai)