Lots of things happened this week on the QJ.NET PSP blog. A new firmware update came out, we saw some intriguing new Sony tech that'll supposedly be made available to game devs, and we also got a little reassurance from Sony that they ain't forgetting about no UMDs, no sirree. The software side wasn't too bad either thanks to the run-up to this year's Tokyo Game Show. Hit the jump for the rest of the week's happenings in the PSP Weekend Warrior.

Now here's your first look at Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron, the upcoming sequel of the highly successful PSP exclusive title Star Wars Battlefront Renegade Squadron. Patrick Alvarado from LucasArts gives us a little walktrough of the game. He revealed new details about the games new character X2, the connected battlefront, the epic gameplay, the 16 player multiplayer mode and more.

We've got an even spread of game releases for this week's batch of On Shelves games, including a couple of downloadable ones. Big for handhelds this week would be Capcom's and Namco Bandai's brawler offerings on the PSP, Fate/Unlimited Codes (available via PSN) and Soul Calibur: Broken Destiny, respectively. Full list of game releases this week after the jump.

Homebrew coder SpartanX2X has dropped by our forums to release a new mod for the ever-popular homebrew  game CSPSP called, Dawn. According to the dev, this mod is a total conversion of CSPSP without the source and features various hex editing, new GFX and sounds.

Download: Dawn Mod For CSPSP (Standalone)
Download: Dawn Mod For CSPSP (CSPSP Center Edition)
Discuss: QJ.NET's PSP Development forums

Time for that day of the week when you get all the biggest news and tidbits that came out the past weekend in QJ that you might have missed for one reason or another. There's a lot of GamesCom 2009 updates right here, nothing unusual about that given that the event opens next week. We also still have a healthy spate of rumors pertaining to the console price cuts, particularly because the NPD results are out, and it does look like it will take a mighty slash off the current prices to revitalize the scene. Not all would agree, however. Why don't you jump in and see for yourself what went down in your favorite blogs? We've got it all filled up to the brim for you.

Here's something new. Russian developer BIART has officially announced their "ambitious next gen project" called U-Wars, a tactical sci-fi third-person shooter set to be released on Xbox 360, PC, and PSP in mid-2010. Check out some screens after the jump.

If these new ESRB listings prove to be correct, we may be seeing Solid Snake again on the PS3. It won't be Old Snake, though, but Metal Gear Solid-era Snake, and he'll even be bringing along pre-steroids Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine from before she had a dye job.

Sierra Entertainment has released some new info on the upcoming video game tie in for the new Aliens/Predator movie. The Aliens vs. Predator game is currently being developed by Rebellion for the Sony PlayStation Portable handheld gaming system.

The game will be a third-person action-adventure title where players take on the role elite lone Predator with an arsenal of exotic weaponry and equipment at their disposal. Players can access advanced technology through the Predator's wrist computer, including Pred-tech/thermal vision modes and cloaking, to track, stalk and annihilate both humans and Aliens.

Both classic and completely new futuristic weapons such as wrist blades, laser trip mines and dual shoulder cannons will also be in the game, giving players the ability to eradicate members of the Alien race with extreme prejudice. Players can also go for co-op multiplayer mode to team up with friends wirelessly as they attempt to withstand hordes of attacking Aliens.

The game will also have an honor point system that'll evaluate the player's success based on how closely they adhere to the Predator's value system. The higher the honor achievement, the more weapon and armor upgrades available to the player.

The new Aliens/Predator movie is slated to hit theaters on December 25, so expect the game to be out around that time as well. In the meantime, check out these new screenshots.

It's time to rev up, racing fans. We've got a new video for you that gives you the skinny on everything you need to know about Electronic Arts' Need for Speed ProStreet (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, PS2, PSP, DS).

In the video, you'll find that Michael Mann, senior producer for the game, talking about what it means to be king of the streets. To earn that title, it seems, you've got to race against the best of the best in the different styles of racing, whether it be drift or drag racing. Not only that, but you have to race around the world against the elite in order to even have a shot against Ryo Watanabe, the Showdown King of Need for Speed ProStreet.

In any case, it's time to set your pulse racing. Do you have what it takes to bring down the kings of ProStreet? Find out in this video.

The Need for Speed ProStreet video after the jump!

  

Homebrew developer Xx FightStar xX tipped us off about the newest release of the homebrew game, Halo: Genocide, now upped to version 1.2. The dev proudly states that this newest version is "almost unrecognisable" from the previous release, and that it has been vastly improved.

Just looking at version 1.2's changelog might be overwhelming for those who haven't played Xx FightStar xX's homebrew game, so here's a little info on this: It's actually a side scrolling shooter in 2D of the game Halo: Combat Evolved for the PC. The storyline of this homebrew game precedes that of the PC video game.

Now that's out of the way, let's see what's been added, removed, changed, and improved in Halo: Genocide version 1.2. The long list of new features and bug fixes are in the Full Article, but just to show you what to expect in this latest release, here's part of the version 1.2's changelog.

New features:

• You must reach the "Pelican" ship to finish a level - No more camping!!.
• "Pelican" ship transports you to the next level.
• You now start with all 3 guns, but with limited ammo for each.
• Gun collection now gives you more bullets than in the previous version.

Bugs fixed:

• Health Getting Drained Excessively at random bug is fixed.
• Scrolling Bug that mainly happened when moving from left to right, is fixed.
• Weapon Selection bug is now gone, would sometimes prevent the "Sniper Rifle" being selected.
• Invincible enemy bug is now gone.

Xx FightStar xX adds that this is the "closest and most realistic things so far" to playing Halo on your PSPs, that's why the dev's asking you folks to check it out and give feedback on what else this game needs either through the comments section or by following the PSP development thread. Help out the dev and try the game (like what his beta testers Buildit92 and Gizmo356 did)! Enjoy the game!

More features and bugfixes after the jump!

Download: Halo: Genocide v1.2
View: PSP Development Forum