Hacking the PSP Blog

PSP 60 Day Coding Competition Update

A reminder of the original newspost of our New Coding Competition for the PSP which ends on the 8th April 2006, heres the news again to refresh memories.

PSP News and the DCEmu Network are proud to announce the 3rd Coding Competition for the PSP and this time the Competition is for 60 Days instead of 30 and not only that but the top prize is a yummy GP2X Console which for any coder is a welcome addition to their collection, heres some details about the prize.

Gamepark Holdings has made the GP2X a system for anybody to develop emulators, games, applications, practically anything for! Having Linux as its operating system, SDL support and tools supplied by Gamepark Holdings should make developing for the GP2X a breeze. There is no doubt that there will be a large homebrewn scene with games, emulators, and applications made by talented developers. The GP32 is a great scene to be a part of, and the GP2X should be no different, if not better. Emulation is complimented with perfect button layout and resolution which might make the GP2X the new emulating king for the years to come.

So there you have it a great prize for any Homebrew fan, the rules can be found on the competition page here --> http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk/psp60codingcomp.shtml

Good luck all and to those who havent seen our previous competitions, check out Here and Here.

Good Luck Coders

If you dont know what the GP2X is or dont follow the scene then check out the most updated GP2X site out there called GP2X News.

Source: PSP Emulation News

PSP2 Won't Have UMD?

GamersReports revealed an info from a Japanese website stated that Samsung is making NAND ("Not AND", see below) Flash Memory for the PSP2. And for more surprising info is that Samsung also told the next Sony's PSP won't use UMD but using their flash memory as the 'hard drive'. ...

Note from Auri: I find this hard to believe due to the need for PSP2 to run PSP1 games.

Here's the web site this report is based on.

Definitions of NAND on the Web:

a type of flash memory commonly used for mass storage application like digital cameras and MP3 players. NAND is a serial memory cell that has 1 less contact per pair of cells than NOR memory making NAND less expensive to produce.
www.icknowledge.com/glossary/n.html

gates are very popular, because they use only two transistors instead of the three in an AND gate yet provide just as much functionality. In addition, the processor uses gates in combination to perform arithmetic functions; it can also use them to trigger the storage of data in memory.
www.dotcalmcomputing.com/computer.htm

The Sheffer stroke, |, also called joint denial and in Boolean algebra and digital circuitry known as the NAND (Not AND) operation, is a logical operator which is the negation of the conjunction operator. It can be used by itself, without any other logical operator, to constitute a logical formal system. It is named for Henry M. Sheffer, who proved that all the usual operators of logical calculus (not, and, or, implies) could be expressed in terms of it. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nand)

Review: Fired Up!

		Gratifying explosions, Smooth controls, No learning curve, Solid frame rate.
		Looks bland, No environmental interaction, Gets boring after a while, Story is narrated in a most painful manner.
Rating :

Even though the PSP is a nifty toy, it hasn't got an extremely impressive library of games. Most of the games released on the PSP seem primarily geared (look ma, a pun) towards the racing genre, be it pure racing or vehicular combat, which by the way is fine by me but it does tend to get a tad boring after a while (unless you're playing games like Burnout). The only novelty here is that you're playing it on a high resolution color screen and once that novelty wears off, there goes the UMD. The game to be reviewed today is another racing game (surprise surprise!), which is nothing like Burnout but it still manages to keep you interested for a couple of hours.

We didn't start the fire
Fired Up has an interesting concept; give players vehicles mounted with guns, let them loose into a huge city and allow them to blow the crap out of anything on two or more wheels. While this sounds good on paper (and to give the devil his due it does get certain elements like the combat right), the game tends to slip into monotony after a while.

The game starts off in a war torn city that's been over run by the republic. You play as one of three rebels who plan on ending the anarchy once and for all. The story is pretty uninspiring and its presentation is most drab, i.e. via text and pictures. Boring!

The game's primarily divided into three hubs. Finish a certain amount of missions in one to unlock the other. Similar to the checkpoints in Midnight Club 3, story based missions are denoted by huge green markers rising into the sky. This is a cool touch as these markers are visible from almost any location in the map and you won't have to waste time driving around trying to find one. While driving to access a particular mission, you'll come across a lot (and I mean a LOT) of enemy trucks and tanks which can be blasted to oblivion thanks to the weaponry mounted on your car. You have a machine gun that never runs out of ammo and a Rocket Launcher, which unfortunately does. This isn't a major problem as there are plenty of ammo pick ups scattered all over the level. Besides re-spawning trucks and tanks, every level has a vehicle of sorts which when destroyed thrusts you into a mini game called Fired Up that'll require you to kill an X amount of enemies during a stipulated time period. Complete this successfully and you'll be rewarded with health pick ups and ammo. The first few times you indulge in these side missions, its fun but after the 75th Fired Up, it starts to get a bit annoying.

A very commendable aspect of Fired Up is that your car controls really well and the conducive controls allow you to blast a lot of stuff while you race around the map with ease. The city is laced with a lot of ramps and canals and navigating through them never becomes a chore because of the sturdy car control and the fact that your car will almost never turtle top.

Graphically the game isn't bad, albeit a bit on the bland side. While the city certainly looks good, it's devoid of any sort of activity and there's nothing that'll motivate you to explore it, except the fact that you could stumble upon Scavenger icons that'll reward you with additional weapon and shield pick ups. None of the environments are interactive so don't expect to be blowing off any thing save for a few explosive barrels. Vehicular explosions on the other hand are the real stars of the show. Every enemy taken down will grant you an incredibly satisfying explosion accompanied by the sound of twisting metal, further followed by the burning heap of your nemesis. The game's frame rate holds up pretty well most of the time, except when there are probably too many explosions on-screen.

Fired up isn't a bad game per say as it has it's moments but it's tough to recommend this game as it's fun only for a couple of hours. With a hefty price tag of Rs. 2,999, you're better off playing Ridge Racer or Burnout Legends.

Source: Techtree

Capcom's Gamers Day

RE5 and DMC4, get lost -- Lost Planet and PSP games steal the show.

Yesterday in Las Vegas, Capcom held its annual Gamers Day event to give the media a look at the titles from the company that will be hitting stores over the course of 2006 and into early 2007. While some in attendance were disappointed by the lack of high profile next-gen titles Resident Evil 5 and Devil May Cry 4, Capcom still managed to bring along a few surprise announcements such as Power Stone Collection and a pack of classic puzzle games -- both for the PSP.

The company put its biggest push behind Lost Planet, the upcoming MechAssault-style shooter that lets players run around on foot or get in giant mechs in order to cause as much chaos as possible on Xbox 360. Also for 360, Dead Rising was on display to show off what could happen if a mall got run over by zombies and a photo journalist had to figure out why.

Check out the previews, screenshots and videos below to get a full look at everything Capcom showed at the event:

• Capcom Classics Collection Remixed (PSP)
• Capcom Puzzle World (PSP)
• Dead Rising (Xbox 360)
• Lost Planet (Xbox 360)
• Mega Man Powered Up (PSP) - screens, video
• Monster Hunter Freedom (PSP) - screens, video
• Okami (PS2)
• Power Stone Collection (PSP)
• Street Fighter Alpha Anthology (PS2)
• Street Fighter II Hyper Fighting (Xbox 360 Live Arcade)
• Ultimate Ghosts 'N Goblins (PSP)
• Viewtiful Joe: Red Hot Rumble (PSP)

Source: 1Up

Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth - Promotion Video from Valhalla

We have reported about the new fan zone “Valhalla” launched yesterday. And today, a brand new promotion video of Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth is released there. I’ve managed to rip it from the website and added English subtitles for better comprehension. The game looks very promising in the video. Let’s hope for the announcement for the English version to be made soon…

Download: [Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth Promotion Video from Valhalla]





Source: PSPUpdates

Shin Sangoku Musou 2nd Evolution - Release Date Announced

KOEI has announced the release date of Shin Sangoku Musou 2nd Evolution (US title Dynasty Warriors 2nd Evolution). The game will be released on March 23 in Japan. US release plan is yet unknown.

This is the second massive battle/strategy game for the PlayStation Portable based on Luo Guanzhong's historical novel of Ancient China.

For the sequel, Koei has upped up the volume and added a host of new features. The game promises over 300 generals and considerably more stages to conquer. Also featured is a horse customization feature and a new stage branching system for gameplay -- based on your actions, you'll take a different path through a given stage. New to the PSP edition is a horse customization is wireless multiplayer for four and true widescreen use of the system.

Source: PSPUpdates

Generation of Voyage IV: Rota Nova - Link with GOV Online

KOEI has announced that the Generation of Voyage IV: Rota Nova for PSP will contain some secrets that have to be unlocked through the Generation of Voyage Online by the same company.

First, the players need to find some special NPC in GOV Online to get the name of the village and the promissory word. Then when you play Generation of Voyage IV: Rota Nova on PSP, and come across the right village, you can talk to the villagers and input the promissory word. This will unlock the some very profitable and rare trade goods in this village.

The duration of this event will start from March 1, and end on June 7. The event is also available on the DS version of the game.

The PSP version is slated for March in Japan. US release plan yet unknown.

Source: PSPUpdates

Power Stone 1 & 2 come to PSP

Capcom has announced at its Gamers’ Day Event in Las Vegas that Power Stone Collection, a compilation of classic Dreamcast brawlers Power Stone and Power Stone 2, will be arriving on the PSP later this year.

As well as featuring perfect conversions of the old favourites, the game will add wireless multiplayer for up to four players with only one copy of the game. The four extra characters from Power Stone 2 will also be made available in the original, and a number of other enhancements and minigames can also be expected.

For those who never played the Dreamcast originals, they’re 3D arena-based fighting games which don’t have a lot of depth, but more than make up for it with interactive environments and objects that you can hurl at opponents as you do your best to beat the living snot out of each other. Power Stone 2 adds support for up to four players and even more different stages to each level, as well as a story mode featuring giant bosses that players have to work together to take out.

The eponymous power stones are gems that have the power to turn your character into and even more powerful version of themselves, complete with devastating super moves, when you manage to collect three of them without getting hit and dropping one.

The first screenshots of the game are available below. It looks to be an accurate port, so this should definitely be one to watch.




More screenshots can be found here.

Source: Gaming Horizon

Off their chain - The Dog Happy Life (basically a Nintendogs competitor for PSP) Website Opens

I’m hoping most of you will keep your legs down now that the official website has opened for this intriguing title that will try to edge out Nintendogs as the premiere pooch when it comes to simulated paper training. Is it just me, or does it look like those motley mutts know the taste of human flesh?



Source: PSPUpdates

Ultimate Ghosts 'n Goblins - 23 Screenshots

Even though the PSP is one of the most technically advanced portable gaming systems available, that doesn’t mean we should forget our roots. Capcom seems to agree. Not only are they bringing Power Stone to the PSP as we mentioned earlier, but we can also expect the latest incarnation of the classic 2D action game Ghouls ‘n Ghosts to apparate onto the PSP as well.

Originally titled Extreme Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, the name has shifted a bit to become Ultimate Ghosts ‘n Goblins – but that’s not all that has changed. A new save system has been implemented which will make trekking through caves and graveyards alot easier since you will not have to start at the beginning of a level every time you feel death’s warm embrace. Throw in a new inventory and magic system and you’ve got a classic game ready for today’s demanding gamers.







Click the links for more images:

Source: PSPUpdates

Homebrew Releases for February 18, 2006

New homebrew releases for today were pretty good, and it's great to see Flashmod is back on track!

Applications
PSPRadio v0.38.05b

Firmware Hacks
Flashmod v3.0

Emulators
Homer's RIN v2.0 - Game Boy, Game Boy Color Emulator
NeoGeo CDZ Emulator v0.1.5

PSP Magazines
LOAD Magazine Issue 3

Pirates of the Caribbean - New Screenshots

We all know the golden rule when it comes to video games based on movies – it’s more fun to dig at your cornea with a melonballer than play one. Those of you who have already taken that alternative will probably still check out this franchise though if for no other reason than to play a game where characters sport an eye patch like you do. But to be honest, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is looking phenomenal and is already shivering my timber. If you missed the last batch of screenshots (which is understandable with the whole cyclops thing) check out these latest shots. Pirates walks of the plank on June 30th in the UK, but there is no specific U.S. release date set which is sure to cause many of you scallywags to hang the jib.

Click on the links for the images:

  
  
  

Source: PSPUpdates