It has been only days ago when developer, XArt, released the Alpha version of his development project -- Choice Extreme for eLoader v1.6.0a. He also released a patch for that version because some have commented that it crashes or doesn't work well. This just goes to show how great and receptive of criticisms Xart is.

And now, Xart is back. This time, he is dishing out XChoice Version 1.7.1a Special Edition. Xart is known to have immersed in a project codenamed "Select", which is a desktop environment for the PSP to manage the handling of files on your Duo memory stick, it will also load eboot.pbp file by passing it to eLoader written by Fanjita & Ditlew. Nice!

This special edition might be related to the good developer's plans of using a 3D User Interface Based Choice eXtreme come Version 2.0 in the near future. Maybe he is prepping himself up for the hardwork that the plans entail. He never really shared anything specific about this special edition, but we're guessing that he amped this one by adding various desktop environments and perfecting the app to prevent earlier reported crashes. Anyways, installation process is still pretty much the same.

So with that, feel free to express your constructive criticisms, observations, and other comments through your comments. I am pretty sure that the good developer will appreciate it and also, we should all look forward to his future creations. Homebrew definitely rocks!

Download: [XChoice Version 1.7.1a Special Edition]

Distrex has been tinkering with the C program to bring us his very own application. Although he dubs his application as "just a simple MP3 player with a fairly simple GUI", we know that every bit of homebrew counts. So let's now put the spotlight on distrex's MP3 Player.

I guess the name's pretty self-explanatory - it turns your PSP into a music player. With this application, just put your .mp3 files in PSP/GAME/MP3/MUSIC then load up the app to enjoy your Sony's handheld gaming device a la-[fill in your MP3 player of choice].

Since this is distex's first real C program, he would love to hear any critiques and comments you have about this app - so feel free leave your impressions on the app in the comments section.

Download: [MP3 Player (distrex)]

Mediumgauge, developer of the homebrew file browser for the PSP, released the latest update: PSP Filer v0.9. Mediumgauge's site is written in some funky language but have no fear. QJ's own cunning linguist, Jeff Chen, translated it for the rest of us.

PSP Filer v0.9 Changelog:
Overall

• Fixed the memory saving algorithm. It's now possible to display images even with little free memory (available when dealing with some large images or various files on the Ramdisk)
• Added the playback function for WAV (uncompressed format only) files

Filer

• Fixed the bug when renaming a file in the ramdisk, there can be 2 files with the same name

Image Viewer

• When you zoom in/out the image with L/R button, the datum mark will be the center of the screen

In case you need info on PSP Filer (the read me file is also written in what appears on our monitor as Ancient Babylonian) we have more details about PSP Filer from v.0.1 all the way to v0.8 right here.

Download: [PSP Filer v0.9]

SamuraiX has released a new version of his Beats of Rage homebrew port for the PSP in the form of BOR v1.2e Devbuild. As the name suggests, this is the version after Beats of Rage v1.2 but is currently still in development. Just like classic Arcade fighting titles such as Street Fighter and Virtua Fighter, Beats of Rage has an addictive quality that just makes you go back for more and more. This latest version has quite a long list of updates, including an update to the OpenBOR engine and many bug fixes. Here's the changelog:

New Features:

• OpenBOR engine has been updated to v2.0047
• New High Score file auto save and load

Updates:

• video.txt update now supports one more resolution mode
• video.txt support for controllable levelorder
  

Bug-Fixes:

• Fix for the user controlled (x)icon, (x)life & timeloc[x] placement
• High Score data corruption between games
• Fixed video mode bug introduced from version 1.2c
  

SamuraiX has also said that he will implement a feature to exit to the BOR filebrowser instead of the PSPs XMB. Be careful with this version if you have previous BOR savestates! This will overwrite all your old savestates and all previous progress will be lost!

Download: [Beats of Rage v1.2e Devbuild]

The guys of the NeoGeo Emulator for PSP has just released an updated beta for the application. Now, you can get the NEOGEO Emulator for PSP beta 2, roughly nine days after releasing the first Beta for this new emulator that they are working on.

Although this emulator is still a diamond in the rough, surely the emulator guys are busy fixing up bugs and amping their emulator's features so as to give a really great gaming experience to the future users of this homebrew emulator.

And since these guys are really miracle workers, it won't be surprising if they'll be able to perfect this one. So with that, let me say that as always your constructive observations, criticisms, and suggestions would be a great deal of help. For now, let's go over the changelog which was tirelessly translated by QJ's very own, Jeff C.

Changelog for NEOGEO Emulator for PSP beta 2:

- Games that were unable to start before can now be started with sound turned off. The ROM converter is no longer needed. Yet, the game is still far from playable due to the slow speed. Now, I'm not planning to make these games playable with sound on at all.
- With the above change, the ROM Converter is updated. Encrypted ROMs are required to be converted. Small-sized games are also supported by the converter. Due to the problem that the file selection dialog doesn't show up in Windows 9X, I've moved to use the VC6 compiler. Moreover, you can now drag & drop zip files onto romcnv.exe to get it converted.
- Bugs in CZ80 confirmed, so I changed to MAME Z80. I will use CZ80 again once it's fixed.
- Timer processing changed. With this change, Cross Swords and some other games that suffered major framerate drop is now back to normal.
- Sound processing changed, and the problem that the BGM was played slower than it should be is now fixed. There may be cases that the tempo slows down, but it is limited to the level that it doesn't interfere with the gameplay. Due to the lack of time, a fix from the bottom will be done later.
- The saving format of SRAM is now the same with MAME. With this change, old files are all deleted. Also, if the BIOS is changed, the SRAM files will all be deleted too.

Download: [NEOGEO Emulator for PSP Beta 2]

More of the changelog and bugfixes for Beta 2 of NeoGeo after the jump!

TyRaNiD has once again updated PSPLink. In case you're not familiar with it, let me help you out.

PSPLINK is basically an application to aid you while making homebrew using C/C++. It's got a lot of nice features, which make it easy for you to debug your application without exiting it. Plus, you can even update the eboots while the application is running, seriously cutting development time.

Now, how about we get to the supplied release notes? The main new addition in this version is the introduction of USB Asynchronous Provider Framework. What's so great is the fact that you can now write tools to communicate between the PC and PSP all while PSPLink is running normally. A couple of samples have been bundled to show its functionality.

There's also a few more changes:

• usbhostfs_pc now listens by default on localhost only for extra security.
• More vfpu disassembly added.
• usbhostfs_pc default to 64bit file io on Linux (and others such as Solaris in theory)
• Added support for the memory stick get free space command. So you can now run up the VSH with a remapped host0: > ms0: and confuse your friends with your 250GB memorystick :)

TyRaNiD has also added that this will be the last version in its current form. Not to worry though, he's thinking of a newer and better version. That's sure to get all the developers excited.

For now, enjoy the latest release. Like always, make sure to read the supplied documents. Thanks to Brandon King for the tip.

Download Link : [PSPLink v1.0]

PSP gamers are eager and always on the lookout for new and exciting PSP homebrew applications and games. With the summer upon us, teachers are packing up their bags and calling it quits for a few months while the younger folks have all too much time on their hands. Now is the perfect time to be digging into your pockets (and under the couch) to find that last 37 cents in order to pick up the latest PSP title. But wait, you go to the store and find there are only 6 UMD releases coming out this summer. D'oh!

But don't start considering which boyscout or brownies troop that you are going to join just yet boys and girls. We have been plotting in the QJ Gaming room over the past few months, listening to your ideas and feedback. Our answer is to team up with Lik-Sang in order to create the best PSP Homebrew Contest yet! We know how much you love the PSP, (can we blame you?) but with the lack of game releases on the PSP this summer things may get tense at times. So instead of sitting on your back porch, roasting ants crossing the "Grand Canyon" on the cement, we are offering up hot prizes and the chance for some of that sex and drug ridden fame that rockstars mutter about in their latest song on the radio.

Here's the skinny, we want you, your PSP and the greatest game or application on the planet that hasn't been thought up yet. This is a no holds barred competition, you can use any programming means necessary to create your game; Lua, C, or Python just to name a few. All languages and concepts are allowed (as long as there aren't any animals hurt in the process). Note: For this competition Flash games and applications will not be accepted. We may be holding competitions in the future for flash so keep your eyes peeled.

To top of this forbiddingly yummy looking desert we have gone all out and cherry-picked some of the best accessories to enhance your PSP experience. So without further ado, on to the rules and *gasp* prizes.

Overview

• You are allowed to enter multiple entries but only one may be considered for a prize.
• Your game or application needs to display this Splash Screen [ JPG or PNG ] prior or during loading.
• Must be new submissions. Any new version of a previously released application or game will be excluded from the final judging.

Judging

After all entries are submitted, the top ten homebrew titles will be selected by our Judges. The developers who have graciously accepted our invitation to act as judges for the competition are; Fanjita co-author of eLoader, tutorial guru and homebrew developer YeldarB. From the list of the top ten submissions, it will then be up to you, our readers, to determine a winner!

Deadlines

All entries must be sent to contest@qj.net and turned in by August 20th. This gives you that last weekend to make any last minute changes before submitting your final revision. Our Judges will then have a week to test each game that has been submitted and give their professional insight on each of the top ten homebrew titles. Judges results will close on August 27th. Once selected, our members will then vote to pick the final winners of the competition which will close on September 1st.

First Place:
4GB Datel Hard Drive
3600 mAh Datel X2 Battery Pack
3800 mAh External Battery
1800 mAh Clip-On Battery
PSP Replacement Faceplate (any color)
PSP Replacement Button Set (any color)
Logitech PlayGear Pocket Case

Our first place winner is going home with a sweet package. The reigning king of this prize pack will be Datel's 4GB Hard Drive giving you plenty of disk space for all your homebrew and media needs. Running out of battery power will be a thing of the past with over 6x the normal battery life of the PSP you can run your PSP into the ground like the Energizer Bunny. Hooked up with a nice custom faceplate replacement with buttons, the color of your choice. Don't you forget the Logitech Playgear Pocket. This baby will protect your PSP from all sorts of accidental drops and spills. We swear by these cases here at QJ.

Second Place:
PSP Blaze TV Adapter
3800 mAh External Battery
PSP Replacement Faceplate (any color)
PSP Replacement Button Set (any color)
Logitech PlayGear Pocket Case

Next, our second place winner will receive an awesome setup as well. Not only do they get the custom faceplate replacement with buttons the color of their choice, and the 3800 mAh External Battery, but they also get a PSP Blaze TV Adapter so they can play their PSP games (and even winning homebrew submission) on their TV. Lets not forget that Logitech Playgear Pocket. Print out custom case inserts to style your new protective case.

Third Place:
SanDisk 1GB Pro Duo Memory Stick

Not to fret, we got third place covered as well, thats why we are tossing you a brand new 1 GB SanDisk Memory Stick Pro Duo. This ain't your daddies memory stick, kids! And if it makes it any more illustrious, this stick happen to be pulled out of our E3 grab bag - so while you may not have been able to attend E3, at least you can say your memory stick did.

Competition Update: We have listened to your concerns reguarding time provided for the competition. We want to give all developers ample time to complete their entry to the best of their ability, so we have extended the competition for an extra 30 days. Date changes can be seen above, please take note of the new deadlines!

All contestants who submit a valid entry will be awarded with premium membership with QJ.net. This includes custom options among all the great additional features in the forums, access to the Developer's Dungeon and no advertisements while browsing the site. Just another small way of saying thanks for supporting QJ.net and being a part of the PSP homebrew scene.

So what are you waiting for, get out there and start coding!

Today, Fanjita announced a new project that he has been working on the past few weeks. This new project is named the “Ultimate PSP Homebrew Database.” This database was given birth to after Fanjita decided that the old eLoader working list was obsolete. Fanjita himself declared the old list as “dead,” and that it was obviously in need of an entire work over. This entire work over came in the form of a new site, PSP-Homebrew.

This new site will contain the most updated list of homebrew applications, authors, and homebrew statistics. Fanjita has started this enormous list by himself, but from this point on, the list is in your hands. This project has something very special about it, it involves the entire PSP homebrew community and their efforts. Every user will have the ability to add, edit, and update the homebrew entries in this list as they see necessary. If you found a homebrew that works with eLoader and has not been posted, than post it! If you found a homebrew is not specified as working or not, than go download it, try it out, and report back with your results.

This project requires the entire community to update the list when necessary, and is far from being complete. So, Fanjita would like everyone to create an account and update the list with their findings, whether you submit one change or several, all contributions are welcomed. Feel free to disucss this topic in our forums, Fanjita already made a thread  for everyone. As you would expect, every PSP file can be found either on our old files site (for older versions) or DL.QJ.Net.

Read Fanjita's full message after the jump!

PSP developer Edorul has completed the ten first tutorials of Nehe modified to compile with PSPGL. The archive includes a mini tutorial to install PSPSDK and PSPGL, and "glut.c" - a modified version of the one in PSPGL. This version allows one to push arrows or triggers (except start, select, cross, triangle, square and circle). They will remain activated until they are detected and can be used by the program.

To use this version, you will need to replace the original, compile pspgl and re-install it.

- Nehe01 : A "skeleton" for future programs with a working Makefile. It initialises pspgl and give you all the functions in order to use PSP arrows pad, triggers, keys and joystick.

- Nehe02 to Nehe10 : these are adaptations of cygwin versions of Nehe tutorials, modified in order to run on a PSP.

Each folder includes a working Makefile, "psp-setup.c" which is needed to compile pspgl programs.  The  "copy.sh" permits one to copy directly his/her program to the PSP without living cygwin by typing "./copy.sh". Modifications are indicated by "@@@".

Bugs:

• Nehe08 : Using blend and light at the same time causes the cube to disappear.
• Nehe10 : Idem as Nehe08, and there is a clipping problem. If a point of a triangle is out of the clipping area the entire triangle will not show up. This is  especially noticable with the cell and floor.

Download [Nehe Tutorials 1-10 v0.1]