It's March 27 today folks, and you know that that means (at least if you're a PSP owner). Yup - today is the day Capcom launches the latest installment of their massively popular Monster Hunter franchise: Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G.

As expected, fans of the game appeared in droves at the Akihabara district's electronics shops, including the area's Yodobashi Camera store. Based on what we're picking up from Famitsu (via translations), some stores ran out of stock of the game and its accompanying goodies by lunchtime.

Some of the gamers couldn't wait to get home with the copy, and began playing their copy right at the stores; That's portable gaming for you.

That's the basic lowdown of how things are going for the game's Japan launch. Who know - given that Capcom's planning to go all-out in promoting Monster Hunter in the west, we could be looking at similar queues when our launch date arrives. Famitsu's report, along with more pictures, is available via the source link.