No one will better understand fellow PSP enthusiasts but other PSP fanatics themselves. So if you've tried Sony's PSP Media Manager 1.0 and have found it wanting, better get your hands on Curieux36's Personal Media Manager v2.1.

PSP Media Manager features transfer and management options for savegames, video, audio, images and homebrews. It also supports conversion to any of the following file formats: AVI, MPEG, DIVX, MOV, WMV, VOB to MP4, AVC, PMP.

Here are the latest modifications he has made, with the help of the entire PSPGen team.

Changelog:

• Configure Path:

• Add firmware 2.71SE to manage homebrews on PSPGAME150

• Savegame:

• Correction of the bug to view Jap Savegame
• Correction of the bug to view Savegame name's

• Homebrew:

•  Rewriting Partial of the code in order to largely optimize the

• Performances and cancel freeze:

• Add firmware 2.71 SE
• Automatic backup of homebrew on PSPGAME to PSPGAME150

So if you can't manage your life, at least manage your PSP. Cheerio.

Download: [PSP Media Manager v2.1 (English Version)]
Download: [PSP Media Manager v2.1 (French Version)]

The application's name doesn't beat around the bush doesn't it? Lame's self-made GUI's features are quite contrary to his preferred QJ forum's ID. Impressive start for a forum newcomer.

You'll need MS Net 2.0 (coded in VisualBasic) to get it up and running. This has been tested with v1.3 and v1.5. Since this is the first time we're going to feature this GUI, we're going to give you a how to, instead of a changelog.

Usage:

• Put the NethostGui.exe is the same folder where the “nethostfs.exe” Application is and start the Program.
• Values are stored in the registry under “HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwa relameNethostGui”
• On program start the last options are loaded and stored at the end of the program.
• Start the nethostfs.exe with the "Nethost Start" Button.

Options:

• Folder: The folder which is used for the nethostfs.exe Application
• Port: The Port for the nethostfs.exe Application, activated with the checkbox beside (Example Port 7513 as default)
• Passwd: The Password (if needed) for the nethostfs.exe Application, activated with the checkbox beside
• User: Run the nethostfs.exe Application under another Windows User Account, activated with the checkbox beside and possible option “Savecred” (only XP Pro).
• The command is shown below the Options.

Shortcut buttons:

• Six buttons for loading and saving predefined Options.
• If checkbox “SaveMode” is activated and a button is clicked each value like Folder, Port, Status of Checkboxes etc. are stored for each button separately.
• If checkbox “SaveMode” is inactive the stored values are loaded.
• The actual path from a button is shown by ToolTip if your mouse cursor is over a button.

Download: [Small NethostGUI]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Chunglam, in his letter, informed us of an update to his DevHook GUI Launcher Mod (TheBuzzer) inspired DevHook Launcher/VSHEX Mod 1.63.

If you're new to this application, we suggest that you check out the mini-FAQ text file first, for complete instructions on installation, reconfiguring emulated firmware and an easy to follow how to use guide.

Since v1.62b, here are the latest additions to the application.

Changelog:

• Dual-mode Launcher for fw1.50 and fw2.71 with HEN_C (Missing features for fw2.71 version: Flash Rom menu and background image support)
• Updated all language files, please re-select your language.
• Auto patch msreboot.bin for fw2.71(NANDFlash) emulation mode.
• Added menu to select Devhook 0.45 for fw1.50 emulation mode.
• Updated CW CHEAT to version 0.1.5

Launcher

• Added option to enable/disable HEN_C for DEVHOOK under "ADD-ON MENU", default is disabled.

Vshexmod 1.23

• Added battery percentage indicator.
• Added default cover file for games without cover

Download: [DevHook Launcher/VSHEX Mod 1.63]

The Earth is 75% water. The same ratio applies to Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories. When you start playing GTA: Vice City Stories, you'll recognize how much an integral part water is going to be in your game.

Picking up from Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, swimming the waterways of Vice City can prove to be a worthy challenge to Vic's military background. Swimming can be an effective way to catch an enemy by surprise, instead of riding on a roaring speedboat. But that doesn't mean you can't show off once in a while.

A lot of work has been into making an aquatic environment that was as accurate to real world water physics as possible. So, either when you're swimming or jet skiing, the movement of the water will respond accordingly. Example, vehicles will bob in the water, respond to changes in the current and be affected by the increased drag that a liquid imparts.

To fully maximize the effect, new vehicles like speedboats, yachts, sailboats, zodiacs, airboats and jet skis, can be used in "ski bys" or as an escape vehicle; you can immediately jump into them, when being pursued on land gets too much to handle.

The new and dynamic environment also opened the door for longer, more exciting side missions. There are those that will begin in land and then move out into the water. There are also watersports Vic can participate on, like swimming events, boat and jet ski races. Play goody two shoes once in a while by doing water-based rescue missions.

Whether be it on land and in the open seas, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories is still the game to beat.

  
  

  

Well what do you know, UK's first magazine dedicated to the PSP - Go>Play - has featured homebrew in their 10th issue with Grand Theft Auto Vice City Stories on the cover.

SteveV2 was kind enough to share screens of the magazine with us. How kind? He actually ripped the pages off to make better scans. The 300dpi images covers the 2.80 FW getting cracked, a GBA emulator being developed, and even a step by step guide to set up PSPMaster.

If you enjoyed browsing through these scans, why not get the real glossy deal? Just head on to Go>Play's official site through the read link to get your monthly dose of PSP madness.

  

Here are two other SEGA Genesis classics, Sonic the Hedgehog and Sword of Vermillion, both of which are included in the SEGA Genesis Collection along with Golden Axe, Phantasy Star II and Ecco the Dolphin.

At first glance it looks like a very unlikely pair but these two games have more in common than you think. As fast as Sonic the Hedgehog can run, that's how quick you'll be able to reach the end of Sword of Vermillion. It is relatively short, compared to other RPG during that time. They say you can finish the game, in 20 hours, maybe even less. And then there's the fulfilling the prophecy bit. King Erik V son, in the end, fulfills the prophecy of the Malaga fortune tellers. While Sonic, fulfills the prophecy of still being the top hedgehog in all platforms. Okay there isn't such a prophecy, but we had to make the analogy work.

Feel free to dish out seeing blocks jokes while watching Sword of Vermillion and don't hold back on the cheers for Sonic the Hedgehog.

Download: [Sonic the Hedgehog]
                  [Sword of Vermillion]

This first ever clip from 2K Games' Family Guy has capture the average, middle class, suburban family in all its glory - a talking dog, a beer bellied dad plopped on a couch watching TV while having a conversation with a dog, and a feisty infant bent on world domination.

This time around the diabolically evil youngest child of Peter and Lois, Stewie Griffin, has finally met his match. The success of his newly completed mind control device comes under threat, when an equally sinister punk of a kid goes after the satellite dish. Has little Stewie finally met his match?

Download: [Family Guy Cut-scene]

Yes there are other shells aside from the iRShell. It was still in its infant stage back then, but Cpasjuste's MyPSPShell already showed a whole lot of promise. One of its notable features is its ability to stream all homebrew using TyRaNiD's PSPLINK with ease. Whether it will dethrone the iRShell as the "it" shell, only time can tell.

He's made the announcement way back in July, but it's only now that he has released v1.0. Here's what he's been up to. Changelog:

"There is a lot of improvements to do, but I'm working on so many things on it and have so much ideas that it take lot of time. One of the last things I've added is the basic online homebrews/games install, that download 7z'ipped games via HTTP then install them. Users can make their own online homebrews download site by doing this:"

• Make a directory named "games" on your website.
• Put a file named "games_weblist.txt" in this directory.
• In this file, list the homebrew archives name's line by line, eg : IrShell.7z

Archives must be in 7zip format and compressed like this :
Archive : xxx.7z
Format de l'archive : 7z
Niveau de compression : Normal
Type de compression : LZMA
Taille du dictionnaire : 64 KB
Taille des mots : 32
Créer une archive solide : off
Parametres : f=off

He forewarns that there could still be a lot of bugs present in this release so for the meantime, just post any problems that you've encountered in the comment section. Once his schedule at school clears up, we're pretty sure he'll address your concerns in no time.

Meanwhile, grab MyPSPShell through the download link at the end of this article, to experience a different kind of shell.

Download: [MyPspShell v1.0]

Atari's Shiny Entertainment Studio has recently been acquired by Foundation 9 Entertainment, the largest independent game developer in North America.

Shiny Entertainment is best known for its work Earthworm Jim which will remain an Atari property unlike the two games that were based on the hit blockbuster, "The Matrix." They join the incredible F9E studios family which includes The Collective, Backbone Entertainment, Pipeworks, ImaginEngine, and Digital Eclipse. The team will co-locate with The Collective in 2007.

"Shiny Entertainment fits well with the current studios of Foundation 9 Entertainment and aligns with our long-term goals for the future. The studio has tremendous talent and experience working with big Hollywood franchises and will be working with us on a major, as-yet-undisclosed day and date release. The Shiny team will only add to our capabilities and technology base." said Jon Goldman, Chairman and CEO.

The company is currently at work on more than 20 titles including two new editions of its original property, Death, Jr., to be published by Konami; Dirty Harry to be published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment; and, Sonic Rivals to be published by Sega. The company’s Backbone studio recently shipped MechAssault: Phantom War for the Nintendo DS, published by Majesco Entertainment.

Even if recently, Sonic Rivals screenshots are just pouring in, it can still be considered as child's play compared to these newly released character card artwork.

These are still incomplete (as you can tell from the sudden leap from number 4 to number 13), but it has the essentials to satisfy us and keep us wanting for more at the same time. Here you'll see the Sonic Rivals poster boys - Sonic, Knuckles, Shadow and Silver. However, more attention grabbing are the last three cards showing Sonic's evolution from the year 1991 to 1993.

More card artworks await after the jump!