Sony Japan has announced at the Tokyo Game Show that in the very near future, all its first-party PSP games will get a simultaneous downloadable release alongside their UMD launch.

If that sounds like a pain due to having to access PlayStation Store titles via a PC or PS3 with your PSP dangling unceremoniously from a connected USB-cable, fear not. Sony has also announced the long awaiting access to the PS Store direct from its handheld.

October 15th is when Japanese PSP users will get direct access to the PS Store.

SPOnG contacted Sony for word on whether we will see these features in Europe and was told, "We don't have any details on the release date for the Direct PSP store outside of Japan at the moment. Likewise, details (on) the UMD releases is still TBD." Translation: 'They're coming, we just don't have dates yet.'

This is a pretty huge move for Sony, being a significant step towards the day when all games will come in downloadable form. It also looks very much like a big ol' signpost on the road towards UMD's death. If it's a success, we may also see third-party publishers begin to follow suit. Given the opportunity, will you download PSP games rather than buy them on UMD? Let us know in the comments.

Update: Sony has told SPOnG that direct PSP access to the PlayStation Store is confirmed for Europe, but at this stage simultaneous release of UMD games as downloads is not.

^{Source: SCEJ}