Contrary to what the title may suggest, this PSP homebrew game is not about running marathons. Rather, it seems like it's all about hitting that right button at the right time, sort of like Parappa the Rapper.


Download: Run Forever Demo

A new homebrew game, Luarry v1, has been posted as an entry to this year's Scenery Beta homebrew contest. This action minigame collection is the result of a collaboration between homebrew developers Kiketoreador, P22, Dark_Cloud and guillermo_conrielle. More in the full article.

Download: Luarry v1

Homebrew developer Brick dropped by the QJ.NET forums and informed us that the latest build of the homebrew game Rythm Engine: Rythm Box Mod is finally available for download. Version 2 includes many new gameplay improvements and effects to spice things up. Read new changes since our previous coverage in the full article.

Download: Rythm Engine: Rythm Box Mod [[V2]]
Download: RE: RBM Japanese Anime Rock/Pop level pack
Visit: QJ.NET's PSP Development forum

It's a rhythm game! No, it's a shooter! Actually, developer Brick's new homebrew PSP game, Rythm Engine: Rythm Box Mod, is both. Interested? Hit the full article for more details.

Download: Rythm Engine: Rythm Box Mod

After the recent release of MonkeyBoy1916's Anime Style v5, it seems that DeNitro and Devin923">PSP Revolution is taking an upswing as MonkeyBoy's friend RomTheStampede has also decided to make his own theme for this popular homebrew. As advertised at MonkeyBoy1916's forums, this Mix has the following features:

• PSP Revolution v0.3
• 16 Rom Songs
• 2 Disney Eurobeat Songs
• 63 Songs from original DDR
• Graphics Customized

As we all know, DeNitro and Devin923 have just released v0.3 of this popular homebrew, and the sheer amount of themes and mods that are based on this game is sure to make many a gamer happy.

Download: [DDR PSP MIX VERSION 1]

Dance Dance Revolution-style games are a favorite for the PSP, and the guys who've seen the abundance of PSP homebrews and PC copies of this particular genre will tell you we just can't get enough.

And that's why we're letting you know about this other popular number hitting the PSP system soon: The PlayStation Korea main site just announced their recent game lineup for the PSP, and it included a PSP version of Andamiro Company's Pump It Up, Korea's answer to DDR.

What made PIU unique compared to DDR-style games was its button setup - players will remember having to step on diagonally positioned footpads and a central pad, which made this something of a challenge compared to DDR's standard up/down/left/right control config. As we said, this game's only hitting Korea, with no announcements of a US release.

We've also enclosed screenshots of PIU to give you guys a glimpse of its PSP port.

   
 

A karaoke simulator seems like an absolutely crazy program to put into your PSP. Where there's something crazy in the minds of man, however, there's also somebody crazy enough to implement it as an actual game. Hence Sony's new creation: P-Kara.

Via the powers of the Google translation software, we manage to get a little bit of insight into what we get from playing this game. It's certain that there's a karaoke singing mode as a headset will be bundled into the game package, and you start off with 20 different songs. Once the online component becomes available though, you can actually make use of two different payment services to download new songs to karaoke all night long with.

Speaking of karaoke, we might as well mention that P-Kara will have multiple features. Using P-Kara's karaoke function along with online play, you can actively engage in KvK: karaoke versus karaoke battling. The game ranks your singing prowess, records it, and can upload it onto a site to rank all P-Kara players who want to take the plunge and sing on the virtual stage. In extra mode, players can also do another Japanese novelty fad, the "para-para" dance, by doing DDR dance combinations with their fingers in tune with the music. Shop mode is the function you use if you want to purchase music online, while party mode is... well, a party! Party mode will allow players to link together, choose their favorite songs and take turns singing (or you could all sing) as their PSPs randomly select a tune from those selected by the players.

Sounds like insane gaming, devoid of killing or rolling things up in a ball, but if the music's good, why not make it a fun little import for yourself? Keep your eye out for this fun little title, and pray it gets farther than Japanese shores.

"maybe late i will make a software to let "FW2.50 TA-082" user to dump "NandFlash & DDR DRam" data to me than i can make the "FW1.00/1.50 NandFlash img" to help them SoftDown their TA-082 :P"

These are the words of 0okm that a lot of TA-082 owners have been hanging on to since he discovered a method SoftDown for FW2.50 TA-082 to FW1.00/1.50. The process may be a bit lengthy and complex, but it sure is worth your while. And as promised (but more of teased don't you think?) it is finally here. 0okm on his blog writes:

you can use this software to Check your PSP if your PSP is NOT Original FW2.50 TA-082 this software will Display "Sorry, This Software CAN'T Support Your PSP" if your PSP is Original FW2.50 TA-082
this software will dump your PSP's DATA to Folder ms0:O250082CnD

when i finish the Write software i will post how-to send me your PSP's DATA
than i can help you softdown your Original FW2.50 TA-082 PSP

NOTE :
Now the SoftDown method NOT SUPPORT Original FW2.60 TA-082 PSP
Also NOT SUPPORT FW2.70/2.71/2.80 TA-082 PSP

Now that you've checked your PSP and it passed with flying colors, here are some new words to hang on to, "when i finish the Write software." Doesn't that just reverberate in your head, like a haunting melody? All we can hope for now is that it will be soon. You can depend on the QJ crew to give you the lowdown on any updates, however minute, on this SoftDown method.

Download: [FW2.50 TA-082 Check & Dump v1.10]

Some thought it might be impossible, others simply felt that only God's hands could code a software downgrader for the unfortunate TA-082 people. Well, let's just say that 0okm might have finally broken the shackles imposed by the TA-082 PSPs.

Firstly, a small primer for anyone new to the whole TA-082 thing. A while back, before the Undiluted Platinum modchip came out, most people were quite oblivious to the whole mobo-mania. Then it was revealed that the modchip wouldn't work with the TA-082 motherboards. Even Dark_Alex's "downdater" couldn't downgrade 'em. Few people who were brave enough to still try it were greeted by shiny bricks. Here's how you can check if you're one of the unlucky ones to have a TA-082 mobo PSP.

The reason was quite unknown. A lot of theories existed, but it was difficult to pinpoint the real problem. Well, we can safely consider it as part of the past now, because 0okm states that he has successfully downgraded a 2.50 TA-082 PSP using a software downgrader. Until now, the only other way to accomplish a downgrade was by using hardware hacks, like 0okm's multi firmware module.

Not anymore though, because we might just have a solution for the TA-082 motherboards! Here's what he states in his blog:

"Success SoftDown FW2.50 TA-082 to FW1.00/1.50

Had found a method SoftDown TA-082's FW2.50 PSP to FW1.00/1.50
But the method is quite complex, SoftDown a TA-082's PSP need about 45min

1. Use software Read Data From TA-082's NandFlash & DDR DRam
2. Analyzes the Data than make a "FW1.00/1.50 NandFlash img" that can Boot on TA-082
3. Use software Write that "FW1.00/1.50 NandFlash img" to TA-082

maybe late i will make a software to let "FW2.50 TA-082" user to dump "NandFlash & DDR DRam" data to me
than i can make the "FW1.00/1.50 NandFlash img" to help them SoftDown their TA-082 :P"

Well, so the method might take a while and it might be a bit complex. But trust the great programmers to make an easy installation method for everyone to use. 0okm has said that he might release something as a proof of concept. Keep the fireworks ready!