Tozai Games is taking over the Spelunker license in Japan. Due to the change, Irem has stopped distributing the current Minna de Spelunker games on PSN. Tozai will release a new version of Minna de Spelunker, updated with a Championship mode and other features, on December 21.

So what does this mean for current Minna de Spelunker owners? Irem announced today that owners of Minna de Spelunker will be able to upgrade to the new Minna de Spelunker for free. Your trophies and save data will carry over.

The upgrade will be available on December 21. Details on how to make the transfer will be shared then at the Tozai homepage.

When you do make the upgrade, make sure your friends do too, as online play in the Tozai version will not be compatible with the Irem version.

Tozai also opened an official site for the new Minna de Spelunker. Visit the site for a look at some of the differences.