Hacking the PSP Blog

The PSP Show #5: TOCA Race Driver 2, Griffin ShareSplit

Coming at you with episode five is The PSP Show, a weekly spotlight on the PSP courtesy of The Podcast Network. So what's in store this week, you might ask? Quite a few things, actually - check it out!

• Peripheral extensions in the firmware 2.7 - clues to new hardware?
• Lumines 2 coming to PSP and Lumines Extra for the PS2.
• The new Noobz.eu site for homebrew fun.
• Review of Codemaster’s TOCA Race Driver 2.
• Review of the Griffin SmartShare headphone splitter.

As you might remember from last week, The PSP Show took a little heat in our comment section over episode four which covered Firmware 2.70 and expressed some opinions over Sony's policy on PSP homebrew. But fear not, these issues will be revisted in episode six as yours truly sat down for an interview with the PSP Show and offered up a bit of counter-point to the situation, as well as talking about PSPUpdates and QJ.NET as a whole, what we're planning, and what's coming up next for us and our readers.

So be sure to tune in this week, and keep an eye out for next week's episode as well!

Listen: [The PSP Show #5] [RSS Feed for PSP]

Source: PSPUpdates

Extra comfort Analog stick and Cross-Pad now available...

Gaming accessory company Brando has released an item which many of you action/fighting game addicts may be interested in. It's a replacement 'chunky' analog stick which enables you to fight better with more comfort. It is very similar to the product announced by Capcom to aid fighters out there. This costs $5 and comes with two replacement sticks. They are reportedly easy to fit, I'm guessing just lift the old one off, and place the new one on. The Cross-pad installation seems like it would be a bit more interesting...



Source: PSPUpdates

Control a Robot Using Your PSP

Here's a video of a PSP-controlled robot developed by "Netoo", a student who hopes to participate in the contest Eurobot E=M6.  Using Netoo's program, the PSP is able to command the robot via Wi-Fi.

Netoo is currently running a series of tests, so expect to see some improvements in the program when he releases a second video. He's also willing to share the source code with anyone who's interested.

View the video here.

Source: PSPUpdates

Study: PSP UMD outlook 'bleak'

A new report from market research firm The NPD Group concludes that the outlook for movies and other entertainment on Universal Media Disc (UMD) — the tiny optical disk used by Sony’s PlayStation Portable (PSP) is “bleak.”

Despite the news, NPD says that the multifunctionality of the PSP has been instrumental to the device’s success — nearly two-thirds of PSP owners surveyed have movie or TV content on UMD discs already, and more than two-fifths say that the ability to watch movie or TV content was an important factor in buying the device.

Read the full article here.

McDonald's Japan’s Giving Away PSP Nintendogs Knock-Off

McDonald’s Japan is giving away a Ronald McDonald version of The Dog Happy Life to 500 lucky customers. The PSP game is one of several pet sims attempting to capitalize on Nintendogs. How to win? Customers buy a Happy Set and receive a scratch card, which they rub to find out whether they won or not.

“Happy Set” is what the folks here in Japan call a “Happy Meal.” And they don’t call the clown “Ronald McDonald,” but “Donald McDonald.”

Yeah, I know.

Check out the info from McDonald's here.

Source: Kotaku

Sonic the Hedgehog Coming to PSP

May 3, 2006 - SEGA announced today the development of Sonic Rivals, a PSP exclusive 2D racing-platformer. Developed by Backbone Entertainment, the game is being built from the ground-up and features head-to-head competition between Sonic and his rivals.

With single-player and wireless multiplayer modes, Sonic Rivals returns to classic 2D gameplay set in 3D environments. What starts as a friendly competition between Sonic and Knuckles quickly intensifies as Shadow and other rivals jump into the action, resulting in an all-out rodent battle royale. Players will negotiate wildly twisting 3D tracks while avoiding Dr. Eggman and his myriad of hazards, traps, and contraptions.

Read the full article here.

Communicator Headset Released for PSP

Bewilder and alarm your fellow commuters while playing the likes of SOCOM.

The headset is fully WiFi-compatible too; the ideal companion for Datel’s own WiFi MAX.

Communicator Headset works with any PSP game with voice chat. With a microphone positioned near your mouth and an earpiece for crystal-clear sound, Communicator Headset lets you bark out your orders or taunt your opponents as you play your favourite online-enabled PSP titles.

Take Sony’s brilliant SOCOM: US Navy Seals Fireteam Bravo. During online play, it’s essential that you communicate with the rest of your squad. Plan your strategies, warn your comrades in arms of impending danger and make sure everyone is doing the job they’re meant to be doing. With Communicator Headset, you can hear every word your buddies utter, and your own instructions are never lost in the heat of battle.

Communicator Headset for PSP is in the shops this June, and costs £9.99 (UK) or $14.99 (USA).

Source: Console Game World

Neuros Recorder 2 owners -- Do not upgrade your PSP to Version 2.7

Bad Sony bad... Sony's latest firmware upgrade causing problems with Neuros' RC2 product.

Sony has recently offered a firmware upgrade for the PSP from Version 2.6 to Version 2.7. We don’t think Sony did this on purpose, but, for now, PSPs with the upgraded firmware won'’t play files recorded with the Recorder 2. A second result of this issue is that any files you may have recorded previously with the Recorder 2 would need to be converted to play on PSPs having the upgraded Version 2.7 firmware.

Until Neuros solves this problem, they strongly recommend that, if you have not already done so, that you wait before upgrading your PSP firmware to Version 2.7.

Neuros takes this issue seriously and are taking three different approaches to solve it. They are: (i) working to create an upgrade to our own firmware so that files made with the Recorder 2 will play on the PSP. They anticipate that this will take a week or two to solve; and (ii) trying to make Sony aware of the problem so that we can work with them to create a firmware upgrade that does not have the problem. Neuros doesn't know if Sony will cooperate with this but will keep pushing. (iii) they are working to provide a free solution to convert your old recordings to play on the new PSP firmware.

Source: Gizmos for Geeks

Crave Announces Huge E3 Game List

Crave's released its E3 "what we're showing list" and here it is, straight off their press release.

World Championship Poker: Featuring Howard Lederer "All In" (PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, PSP(tm) (PlayStation®Portable) system and Xbox 360(tm)

The third installment of the best-selling poker video game franchise in North America, features some of the most recognizable and successful poker stars in the world, including Howard Lederer, his sister Annie Duke, Greg Raymer, Amir Vahedi, Paul Darden, and Robert Williamson III. Joining the roster for this year's edition are noted international poker superstars Marcel Luske, Thomas Bihl, and Erin Ness.

World Championship Poker All-In will support for the EyeToy(tm) USB Camera (for PlayStation®2), which allows online opponents to see each other as they play, in addition to supporting text chat. The Xbox 360 version of the game supports the Xbox Live® online game service including Scoreboards, Voice/Chat and Live Aware.

VeggieTales LarryBoy and the Bad Apple (PlayStation®2 and Game Boy® Advance)

When the citizens of Bumblyburg need help, there is one superhero who they can always count on: LarryBoy! For the first time ever, the amazing smash hit VeggieTales is coming to game consoles in the heroic adventure LarryBoy and the Bad Apple. The adventure platformer game allows gamers to help LarryBoy in his quest to right wrongs and save the good citizens from the Bad Apple and her webs of temptation. Scheduled for an August 1st simultaneous release with the full length feature DVD, now fans can "Be that Hero!"

The VeggieTales brand has sold over 47 million video units & over 6 million audio units in 12 years and is the #1 values-based product line in the U.S. The launch of the new LarryBoy title is the game kids have been clamoring for!

Gun Club (PlayStation®2)

This non-violent target shooter allows gamers to enter the shooting range, steady their nerves, and take aim at the bull's-eye. The game puts over one hundred faithfully recreated firearms in the hands of the player who can try his or her skill in a wide range of immersive 3D practice environments, from indoor ranges with paper targets, to hillsides with watermelons or flying sporting clays. A certification mode challenges would-be sharpshooters' skills, and detailed descriptions and information for every firearm make it a must-have for gun collectors and enthusiasts.

Dave Mirra BMX Challenge (PlayStation®Portable)

The next installment in the popular BMX franchise gives you BMX Legend Dave Mirra (one of the most recognized action sports athletes in the world) as the featured rider and the option to customize player characters. There are 17 levels with 9 different environments throughout the game. With 9 bikes to choose from and up to 4 player ad hoc wireless play, it's time to ride.

Hard Rock Casino (PlayStation®2 and PlayStation®Portable)

Gamers can try their luck at more than 20 different casino games, including table games, machine games, poker rooms and sports bets, while experiencing high-stakes areas, invitation-only tournaments and many unlockable upgrades for your highly customizable character.

Beginning with a modest bankroll, players must amass winnings and establish their reputation as the highest roller at the Hard Rock Casino. Along the way, they will encounter unique tournaments, characters, side tasks and unlockables, keeping the game play fresh and challenges exciting.

Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends (Game Boy Advance)

Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, from Craig McCracken, creator of The Powerpuff Girls, features the somewhat shy Mac and his imaginary friend, Blooregard Q. Kazoo. The game is inspired by memorable episodes from the Cartoon Network hit series and allows fans to control Mac and Bloo as they solve quirky challenges and complete mission objectives. The action takes place in and around Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and features many of the signature characters from the show including Wilt, Eduardo, Coco and more.

Camp Lazlo (Game Boy Advance)

Camp Lazlo is an eccentric animated series from Cartoon Network that chronicles the odd but happy camping life of a Bean Scout named Lazlo and his bunkmates at Camp Kidney. Players can take alternating control of Lazlo, an optimistic, high-energy Brazilian monkey, Raj, a wise and compulsive Indian elephant, and Clam, an eccentric and highly intelligent pygmy Rhino, to compete in a variety of camp challenges, earning the right to represent their camp in a final tournament against - the Squirrel Scouts.

Source: DailyGame