TheSixthAxis has been keeping a sneaky, sleuthing eye on the Japanese PlayStation Store and uncovered a rather odd download when they had a gander at an innocuous Home XMB theme.

That download? Find out what it is after the jump.

Apparently, downloading this XMB theme (at a mere 277KB) automatically registers your interest in the Japanese beta of Home. If done before 11th August, there’s a very good chance that you’ll get in, but you can probably expect region locking to prevent anyone outside of Japan from joining in. Curiously, there appear to be some brand new features being showcased inside the Japanese beta, such as these new arcade machines:

Machines such as this Echochrome one (with cutesy joystick and chunky PlayStation buttons) are but the tip of the iceberg with Namco designing an exclusive gamespace for Home with arcade originals of Pac-Man, Galaga, DigDug and other Namco classics playable for no cost at all. It’s all looking very, very promising provided that Europe’s on the receiving end of some equally-loving beta treament very soon.

After all, America’s had a Home beta for quite some time and if Japan’s the next in the pipeline then surely Europe’s next? Of course, Sony Europe being Sony Europe, I’m guessing the answer is no. Even if Home is being developed in London.

Fingers crossed that Europe does get something soon though..it’d be nice to be on the receiving end of some TLC.

Source: Home Beta Opens – TheSixthAxis