Hacking the PSP Blog

Flash comics on your PSP?

Websites have already started to prepare for the Macromedia Flash support planned for the next release of PSP Firmware, which according to the PSP Firmware release schedule, will arrive some time this Spring.

One site, ARComics, have already altered their site in order to support the PSP's browser in time for the next firmware release. ARComics provides digital comics to web users, and said "We see the PSP screen size, Internet/network connectivity, commercial success and target demographic as a perfect venue to bring an entertaining means of reading to a new generation by blending technology with art and storytelling."

ARComics are still adapting their website for viewing on the PSP, and of course it won't be perfect until the firmware update is actually released. But is this site just a taster of whats to come: more PSP formatted websites as a result of the scheduled firmware upgrade? Only time will tell.

Source: PSPUpdates

Homebrew: New PSP Homebrew Releases for April 21, 2006

The last two days have been pretty slow - but there's been some great stuff released!

Games
So, Do We Have a Deal or What? v0.31 - Like the "Do we have a deal?" gameshow. Two versions: U.S. and U.K.
2PACMAN v1.5 - Mod for Poxman v1.0a.

Applications
Graphic Creator v1.5 - Paint and drawing program.

Firmware Hacks & Launchers
eMenu v0.1 FINAL - Replacement menu for eLoader.

Map software for PSP released in Japan

Rumors have been going around stating that a new PSP firmware would be released today featuring GPS support for the PSP, but as you can see no new firmware has been released. Instead, a program called Minna no Chizu (Everyone's Map) has been released for the price of 3,990 Yen, roughly $34 USD, as was speculated earlier. Although there's still no GPS support, this program requiring the 2.60 firmware features maps of all of Japan. Major metropolitan areas can reach a zoom level of 0 (1 cm on screen equals 25 m), while some of the less populated areas can only zoom into 1 cm per 100 m, which still isn't that bad. In the future, add-on packages will be released to include points of interests like restaurants, but for now you can still view all of the names of streets. Although the GPS we've all desired still isn't here, this is definitely a step in the right direction.


Source: PSPUpdates

PSP piracy around the world

While many places in the world take piracy very seriously, there are countless other countries worldwide that do not. Many people know this fact already, but it is hard to understand just how much piracy really goes outside of the internet unless you see it for yourself. Recently, I had the opportunity to browse one of the malls in the Philippines (which is a beautiful country), which definitely does not operate the same as any mall in the United States would, but is still fun to visit. Aside from many other things you can buy there, my mission was to get the underground story of the PSP, namely: the services offered to upgrade/downgrade your PSP, the service of loading ISOs, pre-formatted PSP movies, MP3s, and installing PSP wallpapers which, of course, is all done for a price.

The voyage started with an always-exciting-ride in a taxi, arriving to the front of the giant mall of just-about-anything-you-want. There were hundreds of technology shops in the mall, cell phone bazaars, PC, PS2, XBox software, and of course the PSP services. Just to get a feel of what is offered: you have the option to upgrade your PSP, downgrade your PSP, buy ISOs and have them loaded with UMD emulator (and other varieties of such loaders), and get free ISOs with the purchase of a Memory Stick Duo. The prices varied for ISOs, with some stores charging Php150-350 per ISO: the equivalent of USD$3-$7, and the price of a real UMD comparatively USD$50-$60, depending on where you go.

So, with these services offered, I thought "why not see how their upgrading/downgrading process works." (And I know two things will be asked, so I'll clarify now: 1. I did not buy any ISOs, and 2. There is no downgrader for 2.01+ on the other side of the world, sorry.) So I went to a nice little shop which offered the upgrade/downgrade service for the equivalent of $10USD. The task: upgrade my 1.50 to 2.0, and then downgrade it back down to 1.50.

The first thing the kind man did was to make sure I had a 1.50, which I did, and then swap out my battery with the one in his PSP since mine was a bit low on juice. From there, he opened up a folder on his computer containing a myriad of familiar programs, all to be run in an automated process for easy upgrades and downgrades, including an appearance from the Wab version changer as well. For some reason, he started the upgrading with a 1.52 update, and judging by the way the files are setup, it is their procedure to first upgrade to 1.52, and then 2.00. Anyways, needless to say, my PSP safely upgraded from 1.50, to 1.52 and then to 2.00. Afterwards, he opened their self-extracting auto downgrader for the PSP (note: a password was needed to run the file), and did the process once again, ultimately ending up with a 1.50 version PSP.

Now that the upgrade/downgrade was complete, he tried to sell me on some games, on which I said no thanks, but they did offer a large selection along with a latest release list. I then asked if they sell homebrew (aside from loaders), and thankfully they do not. Alongside the PSP, the NDS is made its own appearance for ISO loading as well. On another page, they also offer PSPs with different firmwares selling at a different price respectively. For example, a PSP with firmware 2.60 sells at approximately $230USD, while a 1.50 will fetch an extra $80-120USD.

Source: PSPUpdates

PSP Galaxy Issue #8 Released - Free Mag for your PSP

PSP Galaxy has just released the 8th issue of their PSP magazine official sponsored by Play-Asia.com. In this 90 page magazine, you can find a whole load of information about the PSP and other areas of entertainment. This issue features 11 PSP reviews including popular titles like From Russia with Love, Me & My Katamari, and Worms: Open Warfare. Like always, they keep you up to date on the news, moves, and Prime has his latest rant ready for your reading pleasure.

TO READ THE MAGAZINE:
Download the magazine here, and then decompress it. Copy the folder to your PSP's PHOTO folder on your Memory Stick, located inside the PSP folder. Fire up your PSP and scroll over to Photo and read the mag!

Source: PSPUpdates

New Brave Story for PSP Details Announced

Sony Computer Entertainment has opened the official website for its PlayStation Portable RPG Brave Story: Arata naru Ryojin. In addition to five characters from the anime, the game will feature six original characters. All those eleven characters will be playable. Akira Yasuda, who has previously worked on Gundam, is acting as the game's character designer.Brave Story: Arata naru Ryojin will be available in Japan this summer.

First Look: NCAA Football PSP

by Jon Robinson

April 21, 2006 - I have a confession to make. Madden PSP…hate it. In fact, it's probably one of my least favorite games for the handheld. Why? Well, beyond the frustrating slowdown and ridiculous interception pause, the damn game crashed my system so many times on one cross-country plane trip, I would've tossed the game out the window if I could've found a way to open one.

So as you can imagine, I had mixed feelings about seeing NCAA Football 07 PSP. On one hand, I love the series and I've been waiting for it to hit the small screen. On the other…well, I still have a lingering hate for football on the system (not that it has anything to do with NCAA, per say, but same publisher, same doubts in my mind whether or not they could pull this off).

And much to my surprise, the more I played NCAA PSP, the more I wanted to play. And while I was only able to play about a quarter, the gameplay so far is smooth, the animation crisp, and the ESPN unlockables sound like something college football fans will go nuts over.



Read the full article here.

Spring brings new PSP titles

Dozens of titles have recently debuted for Sony's PlayStation Portable. Here are three, each $39.99.

'Daxter'

(Sony Computer Entertainment America; rated "Everyone 10+"; www.us.playstation.com; 4.5 stars out of 5)

The wisecracking co-star of PS2's "Jak and Daxter" games has made his PSP debut, but this time he's solo.

"Daxter," named after its little orange hero, is an action "platformer" game that lets you run, jump, climb, sneak and fight through Haven City as a daring pest exterminator.

Armed with an electric fly swatter and poison spray gun, your goal is to clear out hotels, streets and subways, while edging closer to finding Jak, who is imprisoned.

This smoothly animated action-adventure is a cinch to control.

'Untold Legends: The Warrior's Code'

(Sony Online Entertainment; rated "Teen"; untoldlegends.station.sony.com; 3.5 stars out of 5)

Fans of hack 'n' slash action role-playing games can get their fix with the sequel to last year's reasonably fun "Untold Legends: Brotherhood of the Blade." It adds more personality and polish to the franchise, as well as tweaks the combat system so it's deeper and more intuitive to control.

You can play as one of five characters, each of which morph into a beast. You will swing swords and cast magic spells through close to 50 locations filled with brutal creatures, deadly traps and destructible environments.

If you'd rather play with a friend, two PSP owners can take advantage of a cooperative option via Wi-Fi connectivity.

'Metal Gear Acid 2'

(Konami Digital Entertainment, rated "Mature"; www.konami.com; 4 stars out of 5)

Konami's PSP series again lets you play as operative Solid Snake, who must infiltrate a secret weapons lab to hunt down a maniacal scientist.

The tactical game includes more than 500 virtual cards to play throughout missions. Cards may let you move a specified number of steps, use a weapon or provide a special weapon upgrade.

Besides the comic book-like visual style, which nicely complements the game's over-the-top storyline, dialogue and situations, "Metal Gear Acid 2" is also the first PSP game to ship with 3-D glasses.

Source: Courier-Journal