PlayStation Vita is backwards compatible with PSP games, but Sony’s new handheld does not have a UMD drive. If you want to run Corpse Party, Final Fantasy Type-0 or Monster Hunter Freedom Unite you’ll need to have a PSN version.

Sony has a solution for PSP owners with a UMD library who plan to upgrade to PlayStation Vita. Their UMD Passport program will allow users to download discounted versions of the same game via PlayStation Network. Starting on December 17, PSP owners will be able to download an UMD registration application for PSP. Run the application and you can register UMD games one title at a time. After you register games you can add them to your PlayStation Network account. Log on to the PlayStation Store with the same account and you will be able to download the same game at a discounted price.

How cheap? It varies from title to title, but games Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable costs 1,500 yen while Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days is 500 yen. Upgrading Onore no Shizuru Michi wo Yuke a stylized version of Cursor*10 is free. Sony Computer Entertainment America have not announced a similar program for North America. PSP games are region free and its unclear if importers will be able to utilize the UMD Passport program with Japanese PSN accounts.

Here’s a list of prices for various titles announced by SCE. Please note this is not the complete list of games that will be available for the UMD Passport program.

Guilty Gear Judgment – 500 yen

Carnage Heart EXA – 400 yen

Pachipara Slot – Pachislot Sea Story in Okinawa - 1,000 yen

Akiba’s Trip – 1,000 yen

Tale of the Lost Promise – 1,000 yen

Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Portable – 1,500 yen

Metal Slug Complete – 500 yen

Higurashi Daybreak – 500 yen

Atelier Viola – 1,000 yen

Street Supremacy (Tokyo Xtreme Racer) – 1,000 yen

Dynasty Warriors Portable – 500 yen

Dead or Alive Paradise – 1,000 yen

Colin McRae: Dirt 2 – 1,000 yen

Ever 17 ~ the out of infinity ~ 1,000 yen

Nanatama: Chronicle of Dungeon Maker – 500 yen

Silver Star Shogi Portable – 1,000 yen

Chameleon – 500 yen

Hot Shots Golf: Open Tee 2 – 500 yen

Patapon 3 – 1,000 yen

Gran Turismo – 1,000 yen

Nano Diver – 1,000 yen

Himehibi Princess Days Portable – 740 yen

Sacrifice of the Inescapable Room – 1,000 yen

The Promise I Made Over this Blue Sky: Paradise in the Palm of Your Hand – 100 yen

Everyone’s Reading: Masterpieces & Detective Stories & Ghost Stories – 500 yen

Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days – 500 yen

Makai Kingdom Portable – 1,000 yen

The Convini Portable – 1,000 yen

Evangelion: Battle Orchestra Portable – 1,000 yen

Kanon – 1,000 yen

Harvest Moon: Boy & Girl – 500 yen

Memories Off – 500 yen

Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands – 1,000 yen

Onore no Shizuru Michi wo Yuke – Free

Prince of Persia: Sands of Oblivion – 1,000 yen