Talkman is trying to do more than just translate languages ... it's moving on to travel! The newly announced Talkman Travel will provide maps and helpful phrases to those that travel abroad ... in Asia. The Japanese-only game currently supports three locations: Taiwan, South Korea and Shanghai. Ideal for Japanese businessmen, but not really for anyone else.

[Via Siliconera]

Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan is continuing their PSP casual gaming initiative. They targeted golfers with their GPS promo, and now they're targeting kids and parents with Talkman for Kids, software that will train children how to speak English.

It's an adorable ad, featuring some cute Engrish. "You need to speak more clearly," the game will tell the child, pictured above. Don't listen to the mean Talkman! Your Engrish is fine just the way it is. Check out the ad, after the cut.

Japan loves their Talkman, a PSP language translation device. It looks like Sony is prepping a new version of Talkman -- this time, exclusively for the young'uns. As seen on the game's official website, kids can partake in a variety of activities, which test their English speaking abilities. Honestly, this product would probably find a great deal of success here in the States ... so long as they localize the menus.

Sony has become much more inventive and daring with PSP as of late. Hopefully, Talkman For Kids is just one example of a new slew of games that will target a new and more casual audience.

Always wanted to play import games, but never wanted to mod your system? Well lucky for you, the PSP allows you to play import games right out of the box. But now you may wonder what the newest import games are. Well, that's why every Sunday I'm here to keep you updated.

M.A.C.H. (Modified Air Combat Heroes)

We talked about this one a few weeks back since it's coming to the US next month. If you can't wait that long though and don't mind if your games aren't localized than you can buy M.A.C.H. this week. If it's not obvious from the game's title (and really it should be), the gameplay revolves around air combat.

Initial D Street Stage (PSP the Best)

Based on the popular manga, this game is all about not just racing, but drifting. In between races you upgrade your car so you can more easily take down rivals. This game isn't new, but this is the "best" release which means you can buy it cheaper than ever.

Wizardry Empire III: Haoh no Keifu

Oddly enough this series has had more popularity and sequels in Japan than in its native country. The newest installment still plays like the PC RPGs of old. You move in first person while exploring dungeons and killing monsters. Visit towns, get new weapons and defeat evil. Unless you know Japanese though, it isn't usually a good idea to import an RPG.

Talkman Shiki: Shabe Lingual Eikaiwa

Talkman is voice-activated translation software It translates words into your language or vice-versa. This release centers around teaching English and key phrases one would need to get by in the US or an English speaking country. The Talkman releases have been somewhat popular where they've been released, so I still wonder why this useful software has never gotten a version in the US.

That's it for now , see you back here next week for even more import games!

[Update 1: Fixed tagging.]

These retailers are simply crushing my wallet. My AMEX card is almost maxed out! Here are some highlights from the web:

amazon.com [Via CAG]
Holiday Sale! Highlights include:

• Mortal Kombat Unchained $40 $18
• Gitaroo-Man Lives! $40 $30
• Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins $40 $30
• Bounty Hounds $40 $30
• Bomberman $30 $18
• Power Stone Collection $30 $20

Invisible Shield [Via CAG]
Get 40% off screen protectors

Gamestop.com [Via CAG]
Every Extend Extra only $20

Decal Girl [Thanks, Joel!]
$6 face plates

Play-Asia [Thanks, Joel!]
Talkman for $13

For some reason, it never occurred to me that the PSP camera might be able to function as a microphone. I mean, it's able to take videos with sound. The fine folks at PSP GadgetZ used Talkman to see if the camera, when plugged into the PSP's USB slot, would be recognized as a microphone. As you can tell by the bird's enthusiastic thumbs-up, the answer is yes. A nice little thing to know--it makes me wonder, does this trick work with other microphone-input games, like SOCOM?

More ads from Sony for tonight's Video Sandwich. These two are from the other side of the Pacific, and they show a very different style than what's available here in the States. First, from Japan is a ridiculously awesome ad for Jeanne d'Arc. You might not know Japanese, but seeing Japanese business men go crazy is always funny, no matter what language you speak.

Finally, we have this pretty awesome Korean ad for the Talkman. Man, they make the most romantic ads over there in Korea!

Tokyo Game Show had special stickers on all the PSPs on display. Joystiq showed you the awesome PaRappa system (which would look great with your PaRappa pouch), and now we're here to show you the rest. Read on to see the rest...

The internet is just filled with Japanese PSP gold today! Like I mentioned before, Japanese advertisements tend to teach valuable lessons. We learned that you should always keep your PSP up-to-date. This new advertisement teaches us that you should never use your Talkman in a bar. Or better yet, it teaches you not to slide your $200 white PSP at a hundred freaking miles per hour. Duh.