You won’t have to go out of your way to crazy gas stations to try and find a PlayStation Network card soon. Starting in October, the elusive cards will be available at Walmart, Best Buy, and Sam’s Club. In November, Barnes and Noble will be selling the PSN cards as well. Two versions will be available, in $20 and $50 denominations.

I think Sony has been shooting themselves in the foot with no having these cards out there. Many people simply don’t have a credit card or don’t want to put it into an online system. Think of how many sales may have been lost by them dragging their feet to get these to market. Either way, that problem is almost over and you’ll be able to snag these at a normal retailer soon.

Here’s the full press release:

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) is expanding the availability of the popular PLAYSTATION® Network Cards to additional major retailers nationwide this holiday season. The PlayStation®Network Cards, which can be used to purchase content for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3®) and PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) systems, will be available at Walmart, Best Buy, select Sam’s Club outlets in October 2008, and at Barnes & Noble College Bookstores locations in November 2008.

With the cards, PS3 and PSP fans can buy games, movies, TV shows, themes and add-on content from the PLAYSTATION®Store and other PLAYSTATION Network services. The PLAYSTATION Network Cards are available in $20.00 and $50.00 denominations and are currently offered at BLOCKBUSTER, Pamida, Meijer Superstores and Speedway store locations.

“The PLAYSTATION Network Cards are an easy way for PSP and PS3 fans to obtain great games, movies, TV shows and other entertainment through PLAYSTATION Network and we are pleased to offer them at major retailers nationwide,” said Eric Lempel, director, PLAYSTATION®Network Operations, SCEA. “With the holiday season right around the corner, these cards are an ideal gift option for friends and family, whether they are movie aficionados, dedicated gamers or something in between.”

Additional information on the PLAYSTATION Network Cards, uses, restrictions and retail availability can be found at www.us.playstation.com/PS3/About/pscard.