Though not quite ready to launch a full-on assault to Google’s nifty satellite view, MSN pushed into the local search market yesterday with a beta version of its new local search engine. While the new feature is a start, it still leaves a lot to be desired.

MSN Search Local is available as a link off the front page of MSN search, along with Web, Desktop, News, Images and Encarta. A local search shows standard style web results based on the location and keywords that are typed in to the query box. The search results page offers the option to specify business listings or residential listings.