Hacking the PSP Blog

PC Demo for Loco Roco Available

Those evil Moja Troops are out to get the cute Loco Rocos and it's up to cute-loving people (like me) to save the yellow things. But if you are not yet ready or do not want to upgrade to 2.7 to help these goo-like creatures, you can still see and aid the helpless creatures.

PopcOrn DeVil (thank you!) pointed us to the Loco Roco website where a computer demo of the game is running. The flash game is playable and you use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate the Loco Roco. The gameplay is close to the PSP version but is really very short.

Aside from the demo, you can also watch the trailer, view screenshots, and download screensavers, wallpapers, and MP3 ringtones from the game. Just click the 'Read' link below to help roll these cutesies to safety and see whether Loco Roco is worth an update to a 2.7 or not.



Source: PSPUpdates

Tiny Projector for PSP on the Horizon?

The Digismart microprojector, which is currently under development by a company called Digislide, will bring a whole new visual dimension to laptops, handhelds and possibly the PSP.  The Australian company that is developing the thumb sized device claims to already have deals with several laptop and mobile manufacturers, along with smart phone developers and UMPC makers that will be bringing devices to market in 2007.

If it will work for smartphones and UMPC's it seems only logical that it could work for the PSP as well. This device apparently has no moving parts, draws very little power and is designed to be very robust and stable. The microprojector uses LED technology to create A3 sized images on nearby walls and surfaces.

The projector provides an image that is distinct enough to be seen even with the light on in the room where it is being used. Digislide plans on releasing a standalone mcroprojector device before the end of 2006 that will cost less than approximately $400 (200 Pounds).

Source: PSPUpdates

Rumor: PSP Modchip Coming Soon

Rumor has it (note RUMOR has it) that a modchip called “Undiluted Platinum” is coming very soon for the PSP. What can it do? Boot custom firmware and load unprotected/homebrew code. That means running games from your memory stick.

A hardware solution would be more sturdy than the hacks people have been using so far to get the PSP to run custom code. However, if Sony can detect if the chip is installed, they can brick your PSP until you take it out, or somehow by pass that code. It never ends. – Jason Chen

Read: First PSP Modchip Announced - Undiluted Platinum! [DCemu]

Source: Gizmodo

Lemmings Now On PSP

Sony has resurrected the little green-headed weirdos with a death wish for Lemmings, a video game now available for the PSP. The latest iteration of the well-known strategy puzzler features fast scenarios in which players must successfully guide a horde of smiley, dimwitted lemmings safely from spawn portals to exit. In the last 15 years, Lemmings has been ported for almost every handheld and console system imaginable, going back as far as the Lynx and Commodore 64.

Matt O'Driscoll, a producer at Sony, told SCI FI Wire that Lemmings was the ideal choice for a port to the PSP because of its easy and fun gameplay. "The suitability of its pick-up-and-play-for-five-minutes-or-an-hour [format] fits the play patterns of mobile gamers perfectly," O'Driscoll said. "I personally think the reasons for it coming to the platform is that good gameplay never dies. Lemmings deserved to be resurrected and punted out to as wide an audience as possible. Certainly, the reaction we've had to it has been brilliant."

The premise of the game is simple: Players must ensure that the hapless Lemmings don't meet an untimely death by a variety a means. If the player isn't fast and creative, the Lemmings will walk off ledges, fall into fire pits or molten lava or be jabbed with mechanical spikes. Players guide the Lemmings by selecting command prompts—such as bashing, digging, building, climbing, mining and bombing—to move safely from entrance to exit. Because the formula is largely intact from previous versions of the game, little has been altered in the actual gameplay, save the addition of 36 new levels and all-new updated graphics.

"It's worlds apart visually from older ports, like the GBA version," O'Driscoll said. "The PSP version uses the PSP graphical capabilities well, and we've got a smooth and stunning-looking game that uses very high-resolution landscape graphics. In addition, there are all the original levels (all 120 of them!), plus 36 newly designed levels, a level editor, and the ability to share your levels and download others over the Internet." Lemmings is on sale now and carries a suggested retail price of $39.99. —Casey Lynch

Source: SciFi Wire

Midway Announces Myst(TM) For Sony's PSP

London – May 26, 2006 - Midway Games Ltd. (NYSE: MWY) today announced a publishing agreement for Myst™ on PSP, the latest epic adventure from Cyan Worlds. Over a decade since PC adventurers first sampled the delights of Myst's emotive and visual feasts, the new handheld development will engage the player like never before and literally take them to another world.

There are no instructions and the player begins a voyage of exploration without encountering a single living sole. Alone on a mysterious island, you set out to explore its grandeur and mystery. Here a chilling tale of intrigue and injustice, defying all boundaries of space and time, is being told. Quickly, though, it becomes clear every action can somehow help unfortunate individuals trapped somewhere in a parallel dimension. The Myst adventure is like no other, tantalizing with its unique combination of lavish environments, puzzles, mazes, and a sizzling underlying drama which steadily unfolds to reward the player further still. More details about the game and release information will made available shortly.

Martin Spiess, Managing Director of Midway Games Ltd, offered, "We're thrilled to be bringing one of the best known and most successful game franchises to a handheld format for the first time. Myst promises a one-of-a-kind adventure experience and contribute to the broadening of our PSP portfolio."

Manny J. Granillo, President & Chief Designer of Hoplite Research, LLC, stated "Finding the right partner with the right vision and who is in touch with what gamers want is always a challenge. We are delighted that we can work with such a strong publisher."

Source: GameIndustry.biz