Sony Computer Entertainment America has just rolled out its PLAYSTATION Store for the PC in North America, which means PSP owners will be able to access PLAYSTATION Network games, video content and services over the Internet using a standard personal computer here. This service will be free, where users must first sign up for a PLAYSTATION Network account, followed by downloading free content or even purchase content directly on the PC for their PSP, all without the need to pick up a PS3 (which is how it is currently done). Granted, Sony will definitely wish for you to get a piece of the PS3 as well but that’s another story for another day.

Here’s an excerpt from the press release.

Through the PLAYSTATION Store for the PC, PSP users can now download classic PlayStation(R) game titles as well as all-new PSP titles only available from the PLAYSTATION Store. Available immediately, full-game downloadable content exclusively available on PLAYSTATION Store for the PC include titles such as Syphon Filter(R): Combat Ops. Users can also download existing PSP games such as Gangs of London(TM) and WipeOut(R) Pure, as well PS one(R) classic titles including favorites such as JetMoto(R) and Crash Bandicoot(R). In addition, trailers for forthcoming titles, add-on game items, promotional videos and themes for PSP that allow users to customize their PSP menu color, background and icons of XMB(TM)(XrossMediaBar) will be available through the PLAYSTATION Store for the PC.

I say this is a long time in coming, as you can now enjoy your favorite PSP games without grappling with the slow and power consuming UMD. Perhaps this move will see the PSP pick up even further as developers start coming out with better and better games, but don’t expect it to overhaul the Nintendo DS Lite anytime soon as the war for this generation where handheld consoles are concerned has already been won by the Big N.

Press Release