PSP Updates

PSP homebrew - Rain's IPL Injection Test v1.1

Karl B. — 2008-10-10T22:05:41-07:00

PSP homebrew dev RainMotorsports has released a new piece of homebrew called Rain's IPL Injection Test. This diagnostic tool should help with Pandora installation.

This release, version 1.1, has been expanded to use the following currently available IPLs for the PSP:

Time Machine IPL
Boosters Multi IPL
z3ros0ul Single IPL (Sleep Fix)
z3ros0ul Multi IPL (Sleep Fix)
Classic Pandora IPL

According to the dev, it also uses the three normal format methods: FAT32, FAT16, and MSPformat.

To run this app, you'll need a PC running either Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, a Memory Stick Pro Duo, and a PSP or a card reader that supports your memory stick. There's no readme file included in the download, so if you have any questions we suggest clicking on the source link.

Download: Rain's IPL Injection Test v1.1

Shingo Takatsuka: Online is "top priority" for PES 2009

Karl B. — 2008-10-10T20:21:08-07:00

PES series creator Shingo "Seabass" Takatsuka recently assured football fans that Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 (PS3, Xbox 360, PSP, Wii, PC, PS2) will have a more robust online system compared to last year's release, considered by many PES fans to be a disaster in the online front.

"This year we looked at this [online] as a top priority and we tested half way around the world, so that even for people who don't have good connections we wanted to pursue how we can make the game still playable... we found a solution as well as taking on more players, four this time, for multiplayer online," Takatsuka told CVG.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 is slated for an October 17 release, but Takatsuka promised more improvements for Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 even after launch. "We're not going to stop... So I promise you it will still continue to change and improve further as we go along."

PSP homebrew - Squarez for 3.xx/4.xx kernels

Karl B. — 2008-10-10T18:59:51-07:00

Homebrew developer akadewboy has released an updated version of GlobWare's old Squarez homebrew game for PSP. This version can now be played on PSPs using 3.xx or 4.xx kernels.

This Squarez update looks to be based on the old v0.8.1 release. Our last Squarez update is from three years ago, so here's a quick refresher from the GlobWare site:

The object of Squarez is to move your blue square over green squares. When you collect a green square an enemy red square will appear.If you crash into a red square your game will be over.

However, if you get the yellow powerup square, your blue square will turn purple and a counter will appear. While in this mode you can destroy enemy red squares by crashing into them.

When your timer turns red you'll have less than 10 counts before you turn back to normal. Your score is determined by the number of green squares you collected.

Download: Squarez for 3.xx and 4.xx kernels

More homebrew games for PSP

PSP Pandora Deluxe v2.3: 1.50 kernel addon selection fix, more support tools

Karl B. — 2008-10-10T18:09:13-07:00

Version 2.3 of DJB's PSP Pandora Deluxe homebrew app is now out. This release includes some extra support tools to help make your Pandora installation go smoother. Here's the changelog for v2.3:

Fixed problem with 1.50 Kernel Addon selection.
Added the following Support Tools:

Hellcat's Recovery Flasher 1.32 (Pandora)
AutoStartPRX 5 (XMB)
CPU-Modulator 0.20 (XMB)
CW Cheat 0.2.2 Rev D (XMB)

Download: PSP Pandora Deluxe v2.3 (full version)
Download: PSP Pandora Deluxe v2.3 (update pack)

TGS 2008: The 3rd Birthday teaser ad

Mabie A. — 2008-10-10T17:22:00-07:00

Ever since it was announced that The 3rd Birthday from Square Enix will go beyond the little pond of mobile gaming into the big lake of PlayStation Portable, we've heard so little about its development.

Sure, there were a few details, some screenshots here and there, but really, we're craving for more of that party, if you will. At the TGS 2008, the teasing continues. They don't have any video trailers for us or whatnot, but they do have this kickass teaser ad.

Aya Brea sure is one fashionable chick, pulling off bridal gowns just as well as rockin' leather getups. We're waiting for more details just as you guys are so keep it posted here for more.

PSP homebrew - AFKIM: Instant Messenger for PSP v3.3.7

Karl B. — 2008-10-10T16:43:43-07:00

ZX-81 has released another update for AFKIM, Danzel's instant messaging app for PSP. This release brings the app up to version 3.3.7.

In this version, users can now specify which public Bitlbee server or port they want to connect to. Very useful for those times when AFKIM's default Bitlbee server is down.

This can be done by editing the afkim.cfg file. More info on doing this can be read in the FAQ portion of the readme file bundled with the downloads below.

Download: AFKIM v3.3.7 (fw 4.x)
Download: AFKIM v3.3.7 (fw 1.5)
Download: AFKIM v3.3.7 (source)
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development forum
Visit: ZX-81's homebrew releases

LocoRoco 2 confirmed for Europe, coming sooner than Japan

Mabie A. — 2008-10-10T16:29:00-07:00

Japan has a set date for the arrival of the happy, colorful blobs in LocoRoco 2. But what about for other areas? Well, you'll be surprised, but SCEE has confirmed that the bobbly game will be heading out to Europe -- and at a much earlier date.

That's right. In a rather unconventional move, SCEE has decided to drop the game first in Europe. And we all know how Europe usually gets the last piece of cake. This time, though, they'll be getting the treat earlier with a November release. As in next month. Don't worry guys, there's no catch to this. It's really November of this year.

No specific date yet, though, but we'll be sure to keep you posted on that one.

TGS 2008: A peek at Sony's PlayStation Store for PSP

Karl B. — 2008-10-10T16:20:10-07:00

Sony has released more info on their upcoming PlayStation Store for PSP, which is scheduled to begin operations on October 15. You can check out some screenshots showing how the store will look like on the PSP below.

The first game to be available as a download will be Yuusha no Kuse Ni Namaikida Or2 on October 16. Bleach Soul Carnival, slated for an October 23 release, will be the second. Games will be available for downloading on their release dates.

Sony first party titles such as LocoRoco 2 and Resistance: Retribution will also be sold as full downloads. The company will start with first party titles and is planning to add third party titles to the service in the future.

Ring 'er up: Toys 'R Us offering Buy-2-Get-1 promo next week

Isaac C. — 2008-10-10T14:01:42-07:00

Time to take out your wallets gamers, Toys 'R' Us is once again offering a buy-2-get-1 deal, a promo which they usually hold this time of the year. The promo will start on October 12 and end on October 18.

If you don't know how the deal works, here's how it goes. Buy any three games, and the cheapest one will be free. So I suggest you don't mix and match a DS game with two next-gen games.

If all three games cost the same, the last one rung up on the counter will be the free one (but then it really doesn't matter in that case, does it?).

Too bad they couldn't extend the promo a bit. A few more days and the promo could include games like LittleBigPlanet and Fable 2 - both will be released on October 21.

They will also be holding a sale on Wii accessories on the 12th and 13th. This sale reportedly won't include Wii Remote and Nunchuks, but will include Wii Point Cards.

XviD4PSP 5.035: new features, fixed errors with audio tracks, more

Isaac C. — 2008-10-10T11:06:38-07:00

Homebrew developer Winnydows has released the latest version of XviD4PSP, the PC-based video converter for the PSP. This release came with the first public release of Winnydows Commander.

This release has several new features. Here's the changelog from Winnydows:

Updated components: x264, ffmpeg, tsMuxeR.
Fixed installation errors on Windows Vista with UAC on.
Fixed errors with audio tracks.
Small fixes.
Interface and overall programm must work a little bit faster.
Changed PayPal account.
If encode to BluRay with target size, must be more correct output size now.

Download: XviD4PSP v5.035

Related homebrew:

Confirmed: PSP FW 5.00 required for PSP Store, may go live next week

Gino D. — 2008-10-10T10:02:41-07:00

And there we have it, folks! PSP firmware 5.00 is confirmed to go live in Japan some time soon - probably on or before October 15.

The screencap shown above was taken from the official PlayStation Store website of Sony Japan. The page discusses how users could access the PSP Store, and in one of the bulleted items, it says that users are required to have FW 5.00 (or higher) running on their PSP.

The reason why we say "on or before October 15" is because the PSP Store launches on that date in Japan. SCEJ will then (most likely) have to release FW 5.00 on or before that date so the users can prep their handheld units for PSP Store access as soon as the launch date hits.

Ooh, pretty colors: Text 2 Draw v0.1

Gino D. — 2008-10-10T08:53:09-07:00

PSP homebrew developer j3r3mie has been around for quite a while now. He was the one who released the iPhone Simulator T2 PSP shell a few months ago, plus a couple other PSP homebrew games on the side. Here's a first for him though: Text 2 Draw is coded in C.

J3r3mie describes this application as totally useless, but well... I guess it's in its "uselessness" that you'll actually find its novelty and uniqueness. For one thing, it outputs some pretty trippy color combinations - almost hypnotic, actually.

Text 2 Draw allows you to generate "images, mosaics, and drawings" using text.

Download: Text 2 Draw v0.1

More PSP homebrew from j3r3mie on QJ.NET

PSP, iPhone media manager: Winnydows Commander 1.001

Gino D. — 2008-10-10T08:24:55-07:00

Homebrew developer Winnydows (the same nice lady who brought us Xvid4PSP) has released a new homebrew application called Winnydows Commander.

Once installed in your computer, it acts as a media manager (complete with video and image tools) for various devices like the PSP or iPhone. You can read the list of its features by clicking the image above.

Aside from being able to recognize unlocked iPhone devices, Winnydows Commander v1.001 has the following changes:

Explorer can see iPhone file system.
Can copy, delete, move files or folders between iPhone and PC.
Drag N Drop files or folders from PC to iPhone.
Can create THM for iPhone photos.
Show previews for photos on PC and iPhone.

The GUI is simple enough to understand, but if you need any further help, you can contact Winnydows through her website, linked below.

Download: Winnydows Commander v1.001

More PSP homebrew from Winnydows on QJ.NET

TGS 2008: Gran Turismo PSP still coming, says Yoshida

Isaac C. — 2008-10-10T08:20:20-07:00

From TGS we finally get an update, no matter how small, on the Gran Turismo game for the PSP.

Wait, there's a Gran Turismo game for the PSP? Yes, for those who forgot or don't have a clue since we hardly get any updates on it. It was announced way back in 2004, but its release has been pushed back several times.

The last we heard of the game was back in E3, when Polyphony Digital's CEO confirmed that it was still in development, but that we won't see it until after Gran Turismo 5 is released.

So where's the game now? Rest assured, Gran Turismo PSP is still in development, according to Shuhei Yoshida, head of Sony Worldwide studios. He was a bit skimpy on the details though. When asked where Gran Turismo Mobile got to, he answered:

Good question! It's in Polyphony Digital, they're working on it. They have been working on Gran Turismo 5 Prologue and Gran Turismo 5 for PS3, so they've had to focus on finishing up Gran Turismo on the PS3 side. That's been making the PSP development a little bit slow.

And when he was asked something a bit more specific for its release date, all he could say was "I cannot comment." There you go.

Seeing as Polyphony once hinted that there's a chance we won't see GT5 until 2010, we probably shouldn't expect a lot of news to come out for Gran Turismo PSP's development anytime soon. Except maybe more "I cannot comment" lines.

TGS 2008: Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep single-player gameplay

Gino D. — 2008-10-10T07:47:39-07:00

Here's a quick off-screen gameplay video for Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep.

In it, we see Ven Terra battling some Heartless Unbirth. Much to say I don't recognize them from the previous games - they're the new breed of bad guys other than the Heartless and Nobodies. Also, it looks like Terra's quite a ways up his skill tree already.

Square Enix probably gave the demo some snazzy moves and advanced skills (remember how Sora had to unlock/learn those dash abilities in the previous games? - in this demo, Terra has them already) so that people trying out the demo know how combat feels like with all the cool moves.

Oh. And one last thing... The PSP unit you see before you is a 3000. Heh. Envy...

Five new Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep screenshots

Flying Aces v1.0: homebrew shoot 'em up for PSP

Karl B. — 2008-10-09T22:11:03-07:00

Homebrew developer waywardson has just dropped by the QJ.NET PSP Development forum to release version 1.0 of FLying Aces, a homebrew game for the Sony PlayStation Portable handheld console.

Flying Aces is a top-down vertical shoot 'em up game reminiscent of the classic 1942. This version includes two levels, with waywardson promising more to come in the future. It also has a high score system. Check it out by hitting the download link below.

Download: Flying Aces v1.0
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development forum

More homebrew games for the PSP

TGS 2008: Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2 gameplay video

Karl B. — 2008-10-09T20:19:24-07:00

Today we have a little something for those looking forward to Namco Bandai's Tales of the World: Radiant Mythology 2: the first gameplay footage of the game straight from the ongoing Tokyo Game Show 2008, featuring a character using what looks to be the Twin Blade class.

The number one reason I'm looking forward to this game is the ability to dual wield. It was really frustrating for me to see Lloyd running around with two swords in the first game while I was stuck with just one. Petty, I know. Anyway, here's the vid:

TGS 2008: Undead Knights teaser video

Karl B. — 2008-10-09T19:32:29-07:00

A short teaser trailer has been released for Undead Knights, Tecmo's upcoming game for the Sony PSP. The video doesn't have any gameplay footage, but it does sport some pretty good graphics. Check it out below. The game's slated for a 2009 release.

Undead Knights revealed for PSP release

Media Create: PS3 posts worst weekly sales total, handheld titles dominate software sales

Karl B. — 2008-10-09T18:51:13-07:00

Over in Japan, Sony's PSP console is still pulling down some pretty impressive hardware sales numbers, but the company can't be happy with how the PlayStation 3 is doing.

The console just hit its lowest weekly sales record last week, moving only 7,232 units. That's more than a thousand units less than the Xbox 360's 8,271 units sold. Both consoles actually sold less than the PS2, while all three paled in comparison to the Wii's 25,330 units sold.

The top two spots in the hardware sales charts from last week were still dominated by the handhelds. The almighty DS Lite is still lording it over everything else with 42,385 units sold, while the PSP is at a distant second place with 26,045 units sold.

The PS3's dismal showing continues on the software side of things, where there's no title for the console anywhere in the top ten. Same thing goes for the Xbox 360. The software sales chart is actually an even split in terms of titles for Sony and Nintendo consoles, as you can see below:

Pocket Monsters Platinum (DS) - 122,000
Shin Sangoku Musou 5 Special (PS2) - 110,000
Super Robot Taisen Z (PS2) - 60,000
Rhythm Tengoku Gold (DS) - 54,000
Wii Fit (Wii) - 21,000
Jikkyou Powerful Major League 3 (PS2) - 18,000
To LoveRu Trouble: Doki Doki! Rinkaigakkou-Hen (PSP) - 16,000
Ikki Tousen: Eloquent Fist (PSP) - 15,000
World Destruction: Michibi Kareshi Ishi (DS) - 15,000
Dragon Ball DS (DS) - 12,000

TGS 2008: MHP 2ndG, Wii Fit top awardees in Japan Game Awards

Karl B. — 2008-10-09T18:22:01-07:00

The Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) awarded Nintendo's Wii Fit and Capcom's Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G top accolades in this year's Japan Game Awards held during the ongoing Tokyo Game Show.

Both games bagged the Grand Award in the ceremony's Games of the Year Division. Wii Fit was praised for "enormously enlarging the definition of the game and entertaimentalism" while 2nd G commended for its users' overwhelming support.

Here's a list of other awards handed out during the ceremony:

Award for Excellence

Wii Fit
Super Mario Galaxy
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Devil May Cry 4
Dragon Quest 4: The Chapters of the Chosen
Pok mon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time / Explorers of Darkness
Mario Party DS
Monster Hunter Portable 2nd G
Yakuza: Kenzan
Professor Layton and the Devil s Box (tentative title)
Winning Eleven 2008

Special Award

Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

Best Sales Award

Wii Fit

Global Award - Japanese Product

Wii Play

Global Award - Foreign Product

Guitar Hero 3: Legends of Rock