There have been several versions created of the freeware PC game Cave Story for the Sony PlayStation Portable. For the ongoing NeoFlash Spring Coding Competition, coder leviadragon came up with a new one subtitled Return to World. To know more about this, just click the "read more" link below.


Download: Unofficial Cave Story: Return to World (PSP Fat)
Download: Unofficial Cave Story: Return to World (PSP Slim & Lite)

A couple of days ago, homebrew coder ufo_z came up with the unofficial demo version of the video game Cave Story. We say unofficial because Variant Interactive last year mentioned that it is planning to port this freeware PC sidescrolling adventure title to the PlayStation Portable.

Despite that, we think that ufo_z's take on the project somewhat holds more water as the developer has gotten the approval of Cave Story owner Daisuke Amaya (Pixel). Anyway, this is the second demo released and a lot of improvements have been implemented since the last version.

ufo_z wasn't able to include a changelog for Cave Story PSP Release Candidate 1 but the following reminders were provided:

• Firmware 1.0: should work with no modification
• Firmware 1.5: needs kxploiting
• Custom firmware: (3.xx OE): should work with no modification; goes in the GAME150 folder
• Game saves: works with saves from the windows version; filename needs to be Profile.dat (case sensitive); (same for 290.rec)

Download: Cave Story Release Candidate 1

 

About a year ago, Variant Interactive let out word that they were developing a PSP version of Cave Story - the PC sidescrolling adventure game that was initially released as freeware by developer Daisuke Amaya (aka Pixel). The game was initially dated for a 2007 release, but much like the memory of the title's lead character, updates for this game port were a complete blank. At least until now.

We've just picked up word that homebrew developer ufo_z has tried a hand at porting Cave Story to the PSP - with Pixel's blessings - and has so far developed this demo version. As the author explained, this Cave Story release is playable up to just the first boss fight, and might have bugs that'll need ironing out.

In-game features include an English and Japanese language mode, with these tweaks expected to be added for later versions:

• Get the windows version working with the alternate screen size (480x272)
• Port filesystem+graphics+input handling
• Port sound+music
• Add menus (key config) etc. 

On a last note, ufo_z notes that this release was the version he sent to Pixel for checking - let's hope the original author gives the game a thumbs up.

Download: (Unofficial) Cave Story demo

Just last week, developer Variant Interactive announced that Cave Story will be coming to the PSP. Now we receive a bulk of new information straight from Variant themselves.

Here's a li'l back story: it debuted as a freeware sidescrolling adventure game for the PC. After the announcement of Cave Story for the PSP, a fan contacted Pixel, the Japanese guy who created Cave Story. The fan allegedly received an e-mail saying that Variant wasn't allowed to make Cave Story for the PSP...but the info was wrong.

The truth is, Pixel doesn't speak very good English, and for this reason he mistakenly told the fan that Variant did not get his permission for Cave Story PSP. Christopher Boyer, CEO of Variant Interactive said, "We are clearing each and every step with Pixel before we move forward on just about anything, and are about to wrap up an early build for him to preview and put his OK stamp on."He also confirmed that Pixel would be getting a reasonable sum of money for allowing the port.

Boyer also said that they would keep the game relatively the same as the freeware version, but will tend to a few graphical improvements in order to make the game appeal to more gamers. They are looking to put in some modern graphics into the main version, but also keep the retro version playable as a supplement to the main game.

After many speculations about Pixel's Cave Story, Variant Game Studios has finally confirmed that they are currently developing the game for the PSP. The game will have the same story and features as that of the original game. To those who aren't familiar with Cave Story, it's about a young boy, who has no memory of who he is. He found himself in an underground cavern wherein he meet a resident of a town of rabbit-like creatures called Mimigas. The Mimigas' name is Sue. Together, they try to save the Mimigas from the mad Doctor's evil experiments.

Cave Story debuted as a freeware sidescrolling adventure game for the PC. The PSP game features a vast, adventure-filled area where characters have multiple endings and lots of items and weapons to acquire. Variant  also released the official box art of the game as featured here.

We wonder if people who have downloaded the free game would be willing to pay for a PSP version. We'll find out when the game is released in 2007.