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

ninja9393 is now releasing v0.5 of his Metroid: Return of the SA-X homebrew. It first came out around the 15th, asking for people to become the initial testers for its Beta 1 release. And not only interested testers got on the ship, but other coders like Zion, gizmo356 (both co-coders of the game) and jman420, took interest in the project as well.

There have been a lot of comments on the game's animation, codes and all in its previous release. Apparently, there's a problem with how it was coded displaying more than two frames at a given time. But really what game doesn't have at least one glitch in its first stages of development? What is more noteworthy is that there are a lot of people who offered their help, from testing (ziofire, mesosade, jOeBrO and Cloud_35), coding, to animation and graphics (Shadowblind and acn010).

After installing the game, I found the menu screen such an eyecandy. The colors are vibrant and the layout is nicely done; we have to credit OneCrzyAzn for that. When you reach the gameplay screen, there is an itsy bitsy version of bounty hunter Samus Aran smack in the middle. Maybe the first thing that you're going to try is to shoot at something, but sorry to burst your bubble, ninja9393 says he is still perfecting the shooting part of this game. Meanwhile why don't you just go ahead and try out the things she can do, like jump and walk around. I had to let out a guffaw when I saw her walk those tiny legs. The animation is indeed too fast as yaustar pointed out.

The game has very good potential. Especially with all the support coming in from the whole community, it could be every piece as good as the original. Keep up the good work guys!

new in v 0.5
menu
new sprite
jumping
animation
credits
new background

To do:
bassicly a lot of things that arent east
this alpha is for everyone

Download: [Metroid: Return of the SA-X v 0.5]

Naruto remains to date one of the most popular anime TV series. Not only has it created a huge following with the Japanese, it also created big patronage from North American fans. From a huge number of fansites, free downloads of fan-subbed episodes of the said anime reached a total of 100,000 downloads in the first week of release and nearly 200,000 downloads just within the first months. As if that's not testimony enough, Naruto is currently making waves with homebrew developers.

Back in January, QJ Forums' KingOfNoobs came up with his first Lua game starring the yellow-haired hero. Just recently, Monkeyboy1916 released a second version of his Anime Style mod for PSP Revolution; and who would grace v2, but the popular aspiring Hokage. Now, another homebrew inspired by Naruto is coming our way via gizmo356.

Lua Naruto v0.01 is gizmo356's first try at Lua. Since this is still an alpha version, there is not much going on with the game - just a movable Naruto sprite (made transparent thanks to help from Vettacrossx) on a forest background - both provided by Shadowblind, whom the author also wants to thank. If you'd rather see an animated Naruto sprite, don't worry - gizmo356 is currently getting help with animation form MasterChafed and next releases (which will hopefully be soon) will see the fruits of this tutorial.

If you're excited about seeing a playable Naruto game, rather than wait when the PSP Naruto will hit American shores, you might want to help shape Lua Naruto by trying this out then leaving your suggestions and constructive criticisms for gizmo356 via the comments section below.

Download [Lua Naruto Alpha v0.01]