The constant back and forth between PSP hackers and Sony's firmware upgraders may finally be over, with victory going to the hackers. The folks over at N00bz have released Pandora's battery, a downloadable exploit that creates a memory stick and battery combo that can downgrade any PSP back to the extremely hackable version 1.5 firmware. Even better, the hack will fix PSPs that have been "bricked" by previous failed hacks and "will continue to work for all future firmwares," according to the developers.

The exploit is the result of months of behind the scenes work by a team of hackers that figured out how to reset a PSP to Sony's service mode. With hackers no longer needing to concern themselves with how to break new firmware, we can't wait to see what kind of homebrew software the community comes up with for the most powerful portable hardware widely available.

[Via PSP Fanboy]

After showing the world that Lumines can be used to unlock homebrew on the Sony PSP's latest firmware upgrade, and thus increasing sales of the classic puzzler 59-fold, the folks at Noobz! have released a v3.50 downgrader that uses the newfound exploit.

All you need is a US or EU version of Lumines (support for the Japanese version coming soon), "sufficient intelligence and english language skills," and a pocket full of dreams.* Also, be advised that by downgrading the PSP, you run the risk of bricking it, rendering the portable nothing more than a paperweight. Instructions and files for download available at the Noobz! website.

* Pocket full of dreams not required but is certainly helpful as part of a well-balanced lifestyle

[Via PSP Fanboy]

Just days after Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories was again used to compromise Sony's PSP firmware (v3.03), a new downgrader application has been released. Those wishing to return -- perhaps for the first time -- to the storied glory of firmware v1.50 need only this trusty guide, Eboots of firmwares 1.50 & 3.03, and an original (unpatched) copy of GTA:LCS (not worth $400).

Downgraders will likely make a quick upgrade to Dark_AleX's custom firmware for a far less restricted (but piracy-prone) PSP experience. Sony is no doubt working quickly to re-secure its porous handheld.

[Via PSP Fanboy]

Stream of consciousness video game blogging: Ron Gilbert leads to ScummVM leads to PSP firmware 'sploits. Kicking a 2.50 or 2.60 might get you lots of fancy things like RSS support, but you lose a lot of great homebrew. Two hackers, Hitchhikr and Dark_Alex, have managed to discover an exploit and create a downgrader, respectively. The downgrade process is a little tricky; you'll need a buddy with 1.50 and you'll need to make sure you aren't packing a TA-082 model PSP (lest you brick your PSP). Pspupdates.qj.net has a handy guide for getting you back down to 1.50 full of the usual warnings that, yes, this could brick your PSP. Caveats aside, how many of you are planning to drop down to 1.50?

[Via Engadget]