Though Sony has Beta-tested adhoc Party, its service extending local multiplayer support in dozens of PSP games to allow online play via PSN-enabled PlayStation 3 systems, in Japan since last November, the company hasn't yet announced any plans to bring the anticipated feature to the West.

Stateside gamers can digitally import the service through Japan’s PlayStation Store, but an official North American release might come soon. Sony recently trademarked Adhoc Party in the U.S. as a feature for "automatic operation transmitting of digital data in the nature of video game software".

"Since the service made its debut over a year ago this doesn’t seem like a protective trademark," speculates Siliconera, which spotted the trademark. "Monster Hunter Freedom Unite recently came out in North America, and it’s a prime candidate to take advantage of Adhoc Party. Perhaps, Sony is planning a domestic release soon?"

Though local-only multiplayer for PSP releases like Monster Hunter Freedom Unite and Dissidia: Final Fantasy is less of an issue in Japan, where it's more common for gamers to meet up and play ad hoc games due to various factors, many U.S. gamers will welcome the convenience of playing these portable titles without having to leave home (which I suppose defeats that sense of portability).

You can read adhoc Party's full list of currently supported games here.