Hacking the PSP Blog

Have a ball with hand-held 'Katamari'

One of the most quirky and beloved video game series in recent memory has rolled its way onto the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP).

Namco's "Katamari" franchise for the Sony PlayStation 2, which includes 2004's "Katamari Damacy" and 2005's "We Love Katamari," made its mobile debut Tuesday with "Me and My Katamari."

For the uninitiated, these cult favorites star an inch-high alien, the prince, who is sent to Earth to collect stuff for his dad, the King of All Cosmos, by rolling items into a sticky clump, or katamari. Your goal is to amass objects into a growing snowball-like katamari by first rolling over small items, such as thumbtacks, playing cards and erasers, and then larger ones, including pets, people and cars.

"Me and My Katamari" retains the peculiar charm of its award-winning predecessors.

Read the entire article here.

ETTIX releases web-based video conversion tool for PSP, iPod, and more

ETTIX Solutions, a company which specializes in web-based applications, has released a product called I-Net Video Center, also a web-based platform, which allows users to convert videos for their video-capable iPod and Sony PSP.

With I-Net Video Center, you simply upload files in various video formats (such as .AVI or .MPEG). and the application converts them to the required format, and when the conversion is finished, you just download the files for viewing.

There's also a streaming version of the software, to allow users to view video content on any Internet-connected PC. You can upload and stream AVI, Mpeg1, MPeg2, MPeg4, DivX files and Quicktime MOV, FLV, ASF, WMV7files. I-Net Center automatically converts the uploaded files to Flash Video Streaming format.

There are currently no indications on costs at the official website.

Source: PVRwire

Review: WWE Smackdown vs Raw: 2006

WWE (or WWF formerly) has been a passion for generations; people have loved the sport for decades. The fans of wrestling aren't satisfied merely by watching the wrestlers, they want more than that. Hence the rising popularity of wrestling games. WWE SmackDown vs. RAW has been the ruling franchise for wrestling on the PS2 and now it has arrived on the PSP.

New Season
WWE SmackDown vs. RAW on the PSP is at par satisfaction. The game delivers the same perfection and fortitude it's known for on the PS2. It is visually spectacular, has great quality sound and boasts of awesome gameplay. There are a few flaws, but nothing that should degrade the total package.

If you have played the earlier versions of the game on the PS2, you would feel at home. There are a few changes and a few new modes of play, but nothing that will require learning. The game runs so smooth that you wouldn't realize that it's been played on a PSP. The biggest flaw in the game would have to be the really lengthy loading time. The game takes at least 5 minutes to start, but if patience is your virtue, you will be rewarded with a great game. The game also offers good sound and completely engrosses you in the virtual arena.

Read the entire review here.

Virtools Unveils New PSP Development Solution at GDC

Virtools announced today the preview of its upcoming framework for "PSP™" development at GDC, held March 20-24, 2006.

The new solution for PSP development will enhance the interactive 3D leader's acclaimed suite of development tools. With several thousands of users throughout the world, Virtools provides the tools game developers need to help take the guesswork out of prototyping and streamline full game production.

Virtools Dev is the prototyping software leader with an unparalleled and intuitive graphical scripting system and a library of over 450 ready-to-use behavior building blocks that can be directly attributed to objects, characters, camera, game logic and any other prototype components.

Source: Digital Game Developer

Run-and-gunners have a new PSP treasure – Metal Slug Collection

It’s great to see all the 2D love that has been cropping up on the PSP. Capcom has been seriously representing with Mega Man, Darkstalkers, and the upcoming Ghouls and Ghosts title, and now SNK Playmore is following suit with Metal Slug Collection. Many hardcore gamers know and love the Metal Slug as a Contra-styled shooter series that started out on the Neo Geo, and it has developed quite a cult following. Here’s a rundown of what the package includes, according to Gamespot.

Read the entire article here.

PSP Game Previews Site

GameSpot has an entertaining and informative collection of PSP game previews you can view online.

Some of the previews include Metal Slug Collection, FIA World Rally, Valkyrie Profile, Blade Dancer Import, and many more!

Check it out here.

Tekken - The Daddy of All Fighting Games on PSP

Ten years after its arrival on PlayStation, Tekken, the daddy of all fighting games, arrives on PlayStation Portable (PSP) later this year - giving you the ability to do battle wherever and whenever you are.

Tekken Dark Resurrection brings to PSP more than 30 customisable characters including new arrivals Dragunov and Lili, favourites from the arcade version and the long awaited return of Armor King. Not only will you have all the characters in the palm of your hand but also a great choice of game modes including Time Attack, Gold Rush and Dojo - and the option for multiplayer mayhem in Ad Hoc Wireless Mode.

Read the entire article on GameInfoWire here.

PSP keyboard and cellphone patents surface - Does this mean a PSP keyboard and cell phone adapter (maybe for Internet) are coming soon?

A pair of PSP patents recently went public via the United States Patent and Trademark Office. We've heard rumor of keyboard and cellphone USB attachments for the PSP before, so it comes as no surprise that these patents were officially filed back in November 2004. While the keyboard is still a possibility, given that an email function is on the way, the chances of a phone extension hitting retail are slim.

Wireless Headphones Coming to PSP!

Taiwanese manufacturer Bluetake has announced a Bluetooth stereo audio adaptor for Sony's PlayStation Portable. The gizmo's neatly contoured to fit along the base of the handheld console and clip into the PSP's earphone socket.

The iPhono Mini - aka the BT450Px - uses the A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) extension to the Bluetooth 1.2 spec to send audio to a pair of wireless headphones, which can pair with the transmitter at the push of a button, Bluetake claimed.

No word yet on availability - it's "coming soon", said Bluetake - or pricing.

Source: Reg Hardware

Homebrew: New PSP Homebrew Releases for March 25, 2006

Another day of game and emulator updates, getting those kinks out! Plus a new issue of PSP Galaxy!

Games
Joleem for PSP - A port of the popular game.
SuperDog - Save babies falling from the sky. Updated!
ZooKeeper v1.02 - Clone of the Flash game ZooKeeper.

Emulators
e[mulator] v0.80 Beta 3 - eSwan + HuE emulator. Updated!
PSP-FceUltra v2 - Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) / Famicon emulator. Updated!

PSP Magazines
PSP Galaxy Issue #7

Off Topic: I wrote another utility for Visual Studio .NET 2005 Developers: Lipsum - The Lorem Ipsum Generator for VS.NET 2005

I know this is a bit off topic, but I just released this new app... maybe you'll find it useful, too! Especially if you are an ASP.NET developer! :)

I was getting tired of copying and pasting Lorem Ipsum text off web sites. Here's my plug-in for Visual Studio .NET 2005. It can generate paragraphs, sentences, and characters of Lorem Ipsum. It will even format the paragraphs as HTML, a real time saver for a guy like me who does lots and lots of web work! :)

I'll work on a VS 2003 version shortly and announce it on the main HackingPSP.com site when it's done. Probably in a couple days.

Please let me know what you think.

Download it here: http://hackingpsp.com/LoremIpsum.aspx

Thanks!

-Auri

P.S. If you want to know how in the world I got an add-in project to work in VS.NET 2005, since 2003 created the setup project and for some weird reason VS 2005 does not, just ask and I'll tell you :)

Find Homebrew Software for 2.00+ PSPs More Easily with Homebrew Locator v1.2

Homebrew Locator is a program that allows you to view and download 2.0+ eboots that are compatible with Fanjita and Ditlew's eLoader. Make it a bit easier on yourself to find those apps...

Download it here.

NOTE: Fanjita keeps his list of officially compatible EBOOTs (homebrew) on his page right here.

Sony pulls plug on PSone production

After 11 years of existence as one of the most popular consoles of all time, the PSone is finally getting the kibosh from Sony. The original PlayStation, through its original and PSone iterations, has sold over 100 million units, and we're sure brought joy to millions of users worldwide, ourselves included. (Oh come on, Syphon Filter? Final Fantasy Tactics? Parappa? These are true happiness.) Of course, you'll always be able to grab a PSone on eBay if a Spyro urge hits, or just dive into your storage shed to dredge up your original PlayStation, but can we ever truly go back to those days of our youth? The good news is that Sony is working on a PSX emulator for the PSP, and you can always pop an old game into your PS2 or PS3, so hopefully we'll never be far from a little bit of (relatively) old school action.

Source: Engadget

Championship Manager PSP Release Date Announced

Eidos today announced that Championship Manager 2006 for the PSP will be released on April 7th. Developed by Gusto Games, Championship Manager 2006 is a completely up to date version of the football management simulation, with all of the latest transfers straight from the January 2006 transfer window.

Click here for the press release.

Source: Gamer's Hell

James Bond Coming to PSP April 4

Electronic Arts' videogame From Russia With Love (console review) is coming to the PSP handheld system on April 4, and the company wants you to know the game will include some classic Bond villains as unlockable characters.

Dr. No, Xenia Onatopp, Scaramanga, Goldfinger, Oddjob and others will all be unlockable for the game's multiplayer portion playable via the ad-hoc wireless connection.

In addition to the unlockable characters, From Russia With Love PSP will include a new, eight-mission single-player mode; 16 new Bond challenges; several additional unlockable characters and classic Bond gadgets and weapons.

Source: DailyGame