Chameleon over on the DCEmu forums is reporting that he has already decrypted the just released 3.50 firmware. He notes that it probably won't be too long until an open edition custom firmware is released. Interestingly, Chameleon also notes that the files are nearly identical to the last firmware. This helps explain why the decryption has occurred so rapidly. As Chameleon asks: "Has Sony given up on trying to stop us from the homebrew world?" How many of our readers are waiting off for the inevitable custom firmware 3.50? Do you think Sony finally realizes the importance of the homebrew community?

3.50 firmware already decrypted originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Experimental emulator brings PSP games to Windows originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 May 2007 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

VGGEN is reporting that the Art of Fighting Anthology that was originally set for PS2 is also coming to PSP and Wii. This continues this console release combination that has been so popular recently. For those who don't know about the Art of Fighting franchise, it was SNK's 2nd fighting series after Fatal Fury. There were only three Art of Fighting games ever created, but characters from the series did appear in other SNK fighting titles. I am personally more interested in this anthology on PSP since there aren't a wealth of 2D fighters yet on my favorite portable. Will you be picking up Art of Fighting Anthology, or is it too old for your tastes?

No release was given for the PSP version of Art of Fighting Anthology. The PS2 version is out in May though, so hopefully we don't have to wait too long.

[Via DCEmu]

PSP to learn Art of Fighting originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 24 Apr 2007 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PSP gamers looking forward to the visually impressive homebrew title Wandria: Tears in Fate, may be crying to themselves after this news. Due to a "life turning event," the coder of the title has decided to halt development on Wandria. The source code has been released, and Team ZionMax has given permission for others to continue the project if they wish. They also released an alpha of Wandria, for interested gamers to see what was completed thus far. Let's wish best of luck to Zion, and hopefully Wandria's future as well.

[Via DCEmu]

Wandria cancelled ... for now originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 15 Apr 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Fan transforms his PSP into a Mario-loving paradise

Fan transforms his PSP into a Mario-loving paradise originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Mar 2007 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Dave Mirra games used to be one of the few quality titles Acclaim put out before they died and their name was reborn as an MMO publisher. Fans of Dave Mirra or biking games in general should be happy to know that Oxygen Games is bringing out a new Dave Mirra game and it is coming to PSP.

The new game is called Dave Mirra BMX Challenge and will have you freestyle and race across 17 varied levels and environments. The included modes will be ad hoc wireless 1 -4 multiplayer, exhibition, novice, and pro circuit modes. The game is being developed by Left Field Productions Inc. who previously made MTX Mototrax.

Dave Mirra BMX Challenge hits half-pipes and game stores May 2007.

[Via DCEmu ]

Dave Mirra biking back to video game town originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 27 Feb 2007 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

• Ichigo Kurosaki
• Shuhei Hisagi
• Ulquiorra
• Ikkaku Madarame
• Yumichika Ayasegawa
• Grimmjow Jaggerjack
• Hirako Shinji
• Hiyori Sarugaki

Bleach: Heat the Soul 4's battle system originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 23 Feb 2007 13:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Continue reading Better keyboard and AIM client released by fans

Better keyboard and AIM client released by fans originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 20 Feb 2007 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Monster Hunter never found much of an audience in the US, but in Japan it's a big deal. How big of a deal? Well, when's the last time you saw this many versions of a game to buy:

1: Stand-Alone Game
2: Accessories Set (the game and themed accessories of UMD holders, headphones, and collectible card)
3: Hunter Pack (the game and themed accessories of a champagne PSP, 2 replacement faceplates, one carry case, strap and soft Monster Hunter toys)

[Via DCEmu]

[Update 1: Corrected links and formatting.]

Japan is mad for Monster Hunter Portable 2nd [Update 1] originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Feb 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Like many PSP owners, I like the added functionality of Dark_Alex's custom firmware. What I didn't like though was how Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters didn't work on my PSP because of it. Luckily, the fine folks at DCEmu have come up with a solution. Let me run you through it step by step, so you too can get Ratchet swinging his wrench on your custom firmware.

• First, totally turn off your PSP (not sleep mode)
• Now, hold down the right trigger and turn it back on
• This will bring you to recovery menu where you can change several options
• Configuration: Game folder homebrew (currently:3.XX Kernal), Use NO-UMD (currently:disabled), Fake region (currently: America), Free UMD region (currently:enabled)
• Advanced configuration: Plain modules in UMD/ISO (currently:enabled)
• CPU Speed: Speed in UMD/ISO (currently:266)
• Plugins: All disabled

And that should do it. Now you can play the greatness that is Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters. Thanks again for the great fix DCEmu community!

Play Ratchet on custom firmware originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 18 Feb 2007 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Do you look at your PSP's analog stick nub thing with disdain? Do you dream up elaborate Road Runneresque schemes to destroy it and eat it for dinner? Well luckily for you, Divineo.com has replacement analog stick nub things for you to put in your PSP if you have some amount of modding skills or friends with modding skills. The pink one looks sorta dirty to me for some reason. If anyone actually has a modded PSP, you should post a link to an image of it in chat so we can all check out your pimped out handheld.

[DCEmu]

Designer analog sticks originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 17 Feb 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Use Network Update to upgrade your homebrew originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 14 Feb 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ubisoft and Reef Entertainment sent out a press release stating they will be bringing Free Running to the PSP (and other systems) in the UK in March. The game focuses on the alternative sport of free running that involves jumping across building tops, climbing over obstacles and generally using the city as your playground. Sebastien Foucan the creator of free running was recently in the Bond film Casino Royale and in the game you'll compete against him to become the greatest free runner of all time.

Free Running will feature more than 60 challenges spread over 10 different levels in 3 distinct time zones, each with their own style of gameplay. 9 single and multiplayer modes like freestyle, time attack and ground zero. As you progress, you'll unlock characters, clothes, tricks videos and music.

[Via DCEmu]

Ubisoft brings PSP Free Running originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 03 Feb 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

DCEmu has the press release for a new PSP game titled StateShift. An original sci-fi racer being developed by Engine Software and development is almost complete. Set in a not-too-distant future where illegal racing takes place on future Earth, a place of economic instability and depleted resources. StateShift features various single player modes like a career mode and ad-Hoc multiplayer.

The CEO of Engine Software had this to say of StateShift; "The development of StateShift has been highly productive and a great experience for the team and myself here at Engine Software. Now we are close to completion, I am personally very happy to announce the partnership with Midas Interactive Ltd and anticipate hugely successful release of StateShift into the European market."

The press release made no mention of StateShift being released outside Europe, but considering that the PSP can play games from other regions, it likely won't matter to those interested in the game. On a side note, what is going on with the game logo? It looks like "SD", but the game clearly is not called StateDiff, so I can't really make sense of it. Hopefully the logo isn't indicative of the quality of the title.

StateShift announced for Europe originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 31 Jan 2007 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Nintendo isn't making a Zelda game for the PSP, but that doesn't mean soon you won't be able to play with Link on Sony's system. Over at the DCEmu forums a user named Zion has created a teaser trailer for a homebrew Zelda game he's creating. The trailer is short, but shows immense promise.

If you'd like to find out more check out the DCEmu forums.

Play Zelda on your PSP originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Jan 2007 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rumor: Sony silently recalling PSPs originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 13 Jan 2007 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Homebrew PSone emulator released originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 26 Nov 2006 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PSP mod shines ring of light originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Mesmerizing PSP disc tray mod shines light originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 13 Nov 2006 20:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Analog stick from the "ghetto" originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 17 Oct 2006 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

PSP virus in the wild originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Oct 2006 02:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I am working on a PSP Emulator for the PC (32bit currently), called VirtualPSP. It is a fully working PSP, but now on your PC... As you see it is working, but it runs very slow. Maybe it is my PC (1.3Ghz/256MB RAM), but i'll try to fix this and let some people try. Online play (infrastructure) will be available too, all connecting Peer to Peer. (My server will function as a main host). I need some time to get this fully working though. I can connect to my LAN pc's, but it freezes when the game's loading. I'll try to fix this anyway. Maybe i can add Ad-hoc function through the internet? (Like KAI) And no, i'm not gonna release this *yet*.

Rumor: VirtualPSP lets you play PSP games on you PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 08 Oct 2006 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Creator of GBA emulator speaks out originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Sep 2006 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Another homebrewing competition originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 03 Sep 2006 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

K: What do you keep on your own PSP?
StrmnNrmn: About 100 or so roms

More interviews with more homebrewers originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 13 Aug 2006 21:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.