Christmas is just around the corner, and it seems that it has made the PSP homebrew community alive and kicking. Of course, it's just our zany theory that's most likely wrong, but we sure find it interesting that we've been receiving more reports of new homebrew creations, And more homebrew means happiness all around, right?

Anyway, we just heard that agent_dark64 from our forums just released a beta version of his project, **PSPShark** CWCHEAT. Basically, this one's a "cwcheat-like program" that works on all devhook emulated firmware versions 2.71 above. This one also has a GUI. Do take note, though, that this one needs 8 megs of memory, which is great as it enables users more searching options. However, this version needs devhook v1.51 to work.

Here are the dev's notes that you might want to check out first:

• For Devhook Install: Just run the installer exe and follow the on screen instructions.
• For Custom Firmware Install: (note, this is untested, may not work) NOTE: Do this at your own risk, always have a way to recover your files back if it bricks, especially the pspbtcnf txt files.
• You will need to run the installer and install it for devhook (that means you should extract the devhook files on the memory stick before this if you don't have devhook installed).
• Next you will need to install the pspShark.prx file (after the install it will be in the (MS ROOT)/dh/05/kd/pspShark.prx) to your flash (whereever the other devhook plugin files are normally placed).
• You will then need to update the pspbtcnf txt files to add the pspShark.prx to boot up (BE CAREFUL OF THIS).
• Now when your psp boots up, you will need to have the memory stick in (the one you had in your psp when you installed pspShark) because it will have put some images in the (MS ROOT)/dh/kd/pspShark/Images/ folder and the pspShark.prx references this directly to the memory stick at this specific folder.
• If pspShark cannot find the images on boot (so for example, you didn't have the memory stick in the psp), the menu will be disabled and you won't be able to use pspShark, however the psp won't brick for missing images.
• pspShark itself (as in pspShark.prx) does not write to the flash in any way.

Download: [**PSPShark** CWCHEAT beta]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Heads up! NeoGeo emulators - or the US state of New Jersey">NJ just made another update to his recently updated source code for his Capcom Play System and NeoGeo emulators for the PSP: CPS1PSP, CPS2PSP, and MVSPSP.

NJ sure is one hard-working dev, as the source code for CPS1PSP/CPS2PSP/MVSPSP has just been bumped up to version 1.62 recently (think: practically a day ago as of press time), and then boom! here comes another one. It doesn't have a version thingy label, so we're just writing it the way it's written in NJ's site (via Google translate, of course).

Not that we're complaining though. NJ's masterpieces sure are wonderful, and we're utterly grateful that he's sharing it to the whole community.

Anyway, if you're wondering what does this update has to offer, go check out the dev's notes below:

• The fact that it renews frequently it is my policy, concerning that and like this without calling, we would like to have.
• First purpose, for others not to be, is to make backup the place other than your own PC because your own.
• The fact that it releases is not the case that that next, it coerces renewal to the last separately.
• You stop the fact that already version and renewal date are written. (When it renews, you write on that, it is with)
• 849 people
• It is different, -. By the way because as for CPS2PSP especially it does not change, 1.If there is 62, excessively there is no meaning, is.

Download: [CPS1PSP/CPS2PSP/MVSPSP source code (the latest edition - 12/17/06)]

So it's December 17 already, and honestly, I've been feeling the Christmas doldrums. I mean, I'm not attempting to pull an Ebenezer Scrooge on everybody or something, but with the problem of world peace (yes, the ultimate beauty queen dream, or so says "Miss Congeniality") still looming over the head, Christmas seems so...distant.

Anyhoo, the QJ team has been making loads of rounds at teh Intarwebs lately, and lookie what we found:

The Loco Roco Christmas demo (OMG!!1).

Kidding. Of course that's like, old news already. But that sure shifted my gears into Christmas mode already. Another thing that kissed my Christmas blahs away is this:

This blog will let u download new levels for Loco Roco. U will need to hav unlocked the Loco Editor mini game ( I think u hav 2 collect around 50 mui muis ). I wil post a save game soon wit da editor unlocked. Just place da downloaded files in ur savedata folder, and ur off! 1 more thing, dis will only work on European versions of Loco Roco. European users, enjoy!

That's from vladdamad's blog, and he sure is great for making these Loco Roco levels available for free. Unfortunately (as mentioned earlier), these freebies will work only with European versions of the game, so better take note of that first before you go on a downloading spree, alright?

PSPJunkie just gave us a heads-up on a_noob's upcoming 2.71 SE-C Quick Boot PRX v0.1b update. Anyway, our source said that a_noob asked him to submit this, along with the changelog for v0.2, which will be out by Friday.

As a bonus, PSPJunkie also included a POSSIBLE changelog for v0.3, as well as a tutorial on how to use a_noob's module, which enables its users to load their favorite homebrew directly from the XMB. Anyway, without further ado, here are the changelogs (directly lifted from PSPJunkie's email):

Version 0.1b:

• Added ability to configure your own shortcuts

Version 0.2 (not released yet):

• A configurator with a hard coded shortcut of start select and righttrigger.
• You enter the configurator and it prompts you wether you are changing your shortcuts or homebrew path. Then accordingly a file browser for selecting your homebrew path and a promt screen to enter your buttons by pressing the first button then wait a second and then pressing the second button.
• Possible 2.71 support just like previous versions. Also might add fw 1.5 support if i can get it to work properly.

This is a preview of what MAY be in 0.3 (Not released yet):

• All fw and kernel support (2.71 & 1.5 kernel and real 1.5 fw)
• Threading so you can go to the xmb with a push of a button while in a game(which will allow for you to play all supported file formats of music from the xmb while in a game!)
• Improved configuration menu and interface.
• Cleaned up quickboot.txt for easier manual editing
• Support to be compatible with other prx's

Download: [2.71 SE-C Quick Boot PRX v0.1b]

---

Update: OK, a_noob has updated a thread over at the QJ forums ("a_noob" is a cute name because a_noob really isn't a noob - this isn't a_noob's first homebrew; it's just the first public release). So if you're interested in more details about this brew or want to know more...

Discuss: [PSP Development Forum thread]

When we say NJ is hardworking, we really mean it. Just yesterday, we reported on his CPS2PSP update, but waddya know, he came up with yet another update to his project. Isn't that great or what?

For those who aren't in the know, CPS2PSP is a Capcom Play System 2 emulator specifically made for the PSP. It's created by Japanese dev NJ, who, as I said earlier, has been updating it on a regular basis.

If you're wondering what v1.61 has to offer, check out the notes made by NJ himself (which we got from his site). Do note that this is just a rough translation made by Google, so if you have something better, we'd sure appreciate it if you'll give us a heads-up:

• X-MEN VS. The floor being destroyed with Street, Fighter after falling, the picture normally
• Correcting the bug which has stopped being indicated.
• Because perhaps as for big bug you think, that it is not, renewal of binary temporarily with this end?
• If it seems that it cannot correspond to the new game, possibility of end is large this way, is.

Download: [CPS2PSP v1.61]
Download: [CPS2PSP v1.61 Kernel Mode]
Download: [CPS1PSP/CPS2PSP/MVSPSP Source Code (v1.61)]

NJ (yep, I'm pertaining to the oh-so hardworking emulator extraordinaire) just made another update to his Capcom Play System emulator, CPS2PSP. Now it is bumped up to v 1.60, and here's what he has to say about it:

• It was the schedule which renewal of binary does not do for a while, but romcnv_cps2.Because exe is renewed, It compiles in order to avoid confusion.
• Non compressed cash data arrangement inside the file was optimized.
• Because 8 there is no compatibility, when the non compressed cash file is used, Please do again to draw up once more. Concerning the type of the non compressed cash file, Perhaps there is no modification above this.
• In regard to CPS1PSP and MVSPSP, with modification of specification inside as for renewal of the source as for doing.
• It is, but because in the future it does not renew binary, please compile with each one.

Okay, maybe it's more like what Google translate has to say, but we know you guys are more intelligent than that, so cough up those translations and enlighten us more about NJ's new creation.

Download: [CPS2PSP v1.60]
Download: [CPS2PSP v1.60 Kernel Mode]

Earlier, I gave you guys a little multiple choice test (alright, it was a pathetic excuse for a multiple choice test but...) on 0okm's latest creation for the PSP. Well, we heard that Black_Skull just released a homebrew app too, so to commemorate we're going to play Pictionary!

Or Twister.

Or Monopoly.

Just kidding. You see, Black_Skull over at our forums just gave us a heads up on his latest project, the 3.02 DH Firmware Installer.

He says that this one's a mod of tommydanger's 3.01 DH Firmware Installer "to be able to prepare 3.02 to emulate via devhook 0.51.0100. (dh/302)/ save the 3.02 dump on dh/302 for new dwvhook ( 0.51.0100)." Black_Skull notes that "you just put the eboot.pbp of 3.02 update on root, execute the app, and press X. Cool, eh? Go get it now! Just click the download link below.

Download: [3.02 DH Firmware Installer]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Here's a little multiple choice test. What does 0okm's latest xLoader - xGSLoader v0.01 - do?

a) It enables users to add ICON0.PNG, ICON1.PMF, PIC0.PNG, PIC1.PNG, SND0.AT3 to EBOOT.PBP
b) It enables users to display the sid files the "XMB - GAME" menu
c) All of the above

Cool as this homebrew app is (the answer is C, by the way), the dev warns that this doesn't work on FW2.50-2.71, as it is made for fw 2.80. Don't know how to install it, follow 0okm's instructions below:

1. rip the GameShare PBP from UMD
2. rename it to EBOOT.PBP and Edit it's SFO info "WG" to "MG"
3. paste EBOOT.PBP on ms0:PSPGAME[GameName] Folder
4. start xGSLoader in "XMB - PHOTO" menu than start GameShare in "XMB - GAME" menu :)

• Tips: in "XMB - PHOTO" menu wait image display then press [X] key to start

Hope that helps! the download link's just below, so go check this app out!

Download: [xGSLoader v0.01]

Winnydows just released another update to his cool app, XviD4PSP. Why is it cool? Well, it enables users a virtually fuss-free PSP and PC video conversion for different formats (AVI, DivX, WMV, MPG, MOV, MP4 [PSP AVC, AVC, IPOD], PMP, and more).

What can you expect from v 4.045? Here's the changelog below:

• XviD 1.1.2 now required even if you will don`t use XviD encoding.
• XviD codec help decode files in YV12 color.
• All files in XviD4PSP created in this color.
• Name generation for MP4 PSP now much simpler.
• Now files created in MAQXXXXX.MP4 format.
• Logic of CopyTo and MoveTo from Output tab now much simpler.
• Copy and Move process now work with windows default copy-move dialog.
• MediaInfo GUI loook and work now much better.
• To MediaInfo GUI add contect menu with Copy and Copy All functions.
• Now program parse "Open with..." action.
• Log changed. Now more informatic and usefull.
• Full job info and full AVS text now added to log in case of select this options in settings menu only.
• Now info from log and MediaInfo GUI possible save to file.
• Added max bitrate lock for PMP AVC - 1500/160, MP4 PSP - 768/160, MP4 PSP 2.80 - 1000/160.
• Fixed volume normalization. Now volume detected correct. In most cases 100% is good value for volume.
• Updated AvisynthWrapper.dll.
• Fixed output for MP4 formats.
• Changed design and messages of Check form.
• Now possible encode audio to three AAC modes - AAC LC, AAC HE, AAC HEv2. MP4 PSP, MP4 iPOD and MP4 iPOD 640 support AAC LC only.

Download: [XviD4PSP v4.045]

bkclog has made another update to his PC-8801 emulator for the PSP, QUASI88 0.6.1 for PSP beta 5.

And by PC-8801, we're pertaining to the computer that makes use of the 8-bit Zilog microprocessor. And as I have stated in my previous article, PC 88 (as this unit was lovingly called) was quite popular in Japan waaaay back when New Wave was still considered "in."

So, if you're in for another round of that good old 80s nostalgia snuck comfortably in your PSP, better check this emu out. As of now, details are scarce on this latest update, but we'll sure let we know once we get our hands on more info. (On an off-tangent note, bkclog's site is quite cute. *winks*)

Download: [QUASI88 v0.6.1 beta 5]