Dark AleX and M33 release 5.00 CFW

DAX and the M33 team have released 5.00M33 CFW. Click through to go to Dark AleX's forum and get all the details. Two days to release this cfw, DAX must be slipping (just kidding). Thanks for all the hard (and quick) work guys.

PSPoste beta 7 released: full featured PSP email app

Want to send/receive email via your PSP? PSPoste is best way to achieve this. From PSPoste.org: "It supports the SMTP and POP3 protocols (possible future IMAP support), and provides a skinnable user interface allowing the user to retrieve, compose and display messages from multiple email servers. Several input methods are included with PSPoste, choose the one best suited for you.

Here's a list of what's changed in Beta 7:

• Support more IR keyboards by using the pspirkeyb library, see PSPoste/Data/pspirkeyb/ for configuration of your keyboard.
• Better random number generation for TLS based connections, acknowledgements to Zx81 for his work on PSPSSH and Theodore Tso for the original RNG work.
• On first start, users will be prompted to press buttons randomly to generate the random seed file.
• Use the extra RAM of the PSP Slim.
• Fix a crash when opening the settings window when no network connections are defined.
• Fix another crash opening the settings window that would occur randomly.
• Fix a bug in the logging mechanism that meant errors and output weren't properly being written out to the log files.
• Fix a problem connecting using a manually configured WPA connection.
• Make the cursor visible at all times while typing (as opposed to blinking throughout).
• Explicitly load the IrDA module so IR Keyboards work on firmwares > 3.03OE.
• Adjust heap and thread stack sizes.
• Fix some memory leaks and uninitialzed variables.
• Set the timezone to whatever the PSP has configured."

PSPoste has only been fully tested on the 1.5 firmware but there is some support for recent cfw's (see bottom of news page on PSPost.org). PSPoste is well worth giving a try if you have a serious need for a homebrew email app.

Download via Sourceforge.

Squarez now available for 3.xx and 4.xx cfw

Akadewboy has done a little modification to allow the classic Squarez game to play on the most recent cfw's. Here is my review and download for 1.5 firmware but now thanks to akadewboy everyone can play this great homebrew game. Well done.

Phoenix Game Engine (LUA) 0.01 Released

This has to be one of the most comprehensive and impressive engines I seen. InsertWittyName and MK2k (among others) have really put in a lot of work on PGE. It looks to be a LUA coder's best friend. Here is their homepage for PGE and here is a video demoing all of its many features:



Check out their site for documentation, tutorials, FAQs, and downloads.

I have been working for some time on a homebrew game (only so many hours in the day) and I'm only about half done. I am seriously considering rewriting it to take advantage of PGE.

PSP 3000 officially announced; Who gives a sh....?

Sony officially announced the PSP 3000 at Leipzig. The only changes I've heard of are a better LCD and a built in microphone. Are they kidding with this crap? How about a new model every time they change the color of the PSP. This is a nearly worthless upgrade.

Where is the internal hard drive that was rumored? How about upgrading the wifi card so that surfing the internet or checking email doesn't take an eternity. The internal speakers in the PSP are screaming (although not very loudly) to be upgraded. The GPS unit or camera would be a nice addition for those of us in the U.S. This is a stretch, but touchscreen would be nice. A physical keyboard, either integrated or as an add-on, is another item that I think is sorely missed.

Sony has to start innovating or the PSP will not live the ten year life cycle that they have planned. I am so glad I have the homebrew community because if I were to rely only on Sony I would probably sell my PSP and get a Pandora. I have a feeling this will another (failed) attempt to prevent homebrew and piracy by changing the hardware/mobo.

New Version of Polygunwars

Ahrimanes has released version 0.6 of Polygunwars (Geometry Wars clone) for the Neoflash Summer Coding Competition. The new version has many changes/updates (from Neoflash entry page):

*PSP dialogs integrated(message,net,save/load dialogs)
*save load game based on profile, gamertag as 360 one
*upload highscores/profile suport
*view highscores leader boards from psp suport
*language suport. there is a folder polygunwars/res/lng and there are some files.lng that any body can edit on a simple text editor and translate it.. the game will take the language from the sistem configuration so, if sistem is set to english it will use text from english.lng if sistem is spanish it will use text from spanish.lng
by now just english and spanish are translated, for all other languaje they have to be translated and here is where i need your help. if you wish to translate it do so and please PM me or email me with your translated file.
*now you have to be more carefull with the black holes as they will suck you too.
*new enemy has arrive.. say welcome to the snakes..
*alot of fixes in game time.. seems that i finaly fix the lags and the crash issues.
*now it includes some credits and spesial thanks under options..
*hint how to play under options. //need to fix that \n not working..
*you can check online highscores from your pc at:
http://www.ahrimanescore.luaplayer.org/
*archivements can be suported now.

I'll be giving this one a try real soon. I suggest you do the same. Previous releases of Polygunwars have been impressive and I expect no less from this one. Check out my previous coverage of this homebrew game here.

Download No Gravity Homebrew from PS Store?

Ok, so No Gravity may not still be called a "homebrew" game but it started out as one. It looks even better than it did and there is a lot more game to be had now too: 32 missions in 6 worlds. Well done, Realtech VR. Check out #14 on my best homebrew list.

QJ PSPUpdates Summer Homebrew Contest starts

PSPUpdates has started it's summer homebrew contest so get to coding. I wish I had time to finish mine but I still have way too much to do. Good luck to all that enter. I will try to download and review/comment on the apps and games entered.

NeoFlash Competition Results

Here is the outcome of the NeoFlash Spring Coding Competition for 2008:

The PSP APP division of NEO SPRING COMPO 2008

1 [PSP APP] Dow! 0.2 - Develop on the go bumuckl
2 [PSP APP] LightMP3 Version 2.0.0 BETA 1 sakya
3 [PSP APP] CTorrentPSP - Torrent client for PSP danzel
4 [PSP APP] Academic Aid Scholastic Suite 6 R769 - Education Mr305
5 [PSP APP] PSP-Maps royale

The PSP GAME division of NEO SPRING COMPO 2008

1 [PSP GAME] Bugz InsertWittyName
2 [PSP GAME] POLYGUNWARS v0.5 ahrimanes
3 [PSP GAME] BlowUp! - 1.0 RELEASED! gambiting
4 [PSP GAME] Orbid V2 Slasher
5 [PSP GAME] Dororo's Adventure b0rk
6 [PSP GAME] Tetriabetes 1.43 dragula96
7 [PSP GAME] Kitten Cannon sg57
8 [PSP GAME] Scogger 0.2 scognito
9 [PSP GAME] Sushi Rubik version 1.2 teamsushi
10 [PSP GAME] Motion Pong 0.2 bumuckl

I am a little surprised with the Apps results but the Games results are right on.

Orbid v2 Review

Orbid is yet another entry into the NeoFlash Competition. Orbid, developed by Slasher, is similar to flOw. Fly your orb around eating orange orbs and avoid being eaten by other types of orbs/enemies. There are 5 game modes to choose from: normal, survival, time, mine, and dodge. There is a multiplayer option but it requires you to set up a server.

Orbid has a very pixelated look to it. It doesn't look bad just different. The controls are hard to get used to. Your orb maneuvers like a 18 wheeler: starts slow and turns slow. Turning sharp cuts your speed considerably. The A.I. for the orange orbs is o.k. but they are easily caught. The A.I. for some of the enemies is better and they can be somewhat difficult to avoid. I enjoyed the game for little while. It becomes monotonous after extended periods of time. The speed of your orb is the biggest problem. You are always wanting to go faster and turn sharper.

I think that Orbid is a game that everyone should try but expect a slow, laid-back, leisurely type of game play.

DAX releases 3.90 M33-3 and Despertar del Cementerio v5

Dark AleX and M33 have updated the 3.90 custom firmware to be more compatible with the NO-UMD driver. Also, version 5 of Despertar del Cementerio has been released. It now installs 3.90 M33 and is compatible with TimeMachine. Thanks DAX and M33 for all your hard work.

PSP Maps v0.6 Review

Here is another entry into the NeoFlash Competition: PSP Maps v0.6 by royale. Think of PSP Maps as a hybrid of Yahoo maps and Google maps that you can use on your PSP. You will start off by connecting to your preferred wireless access point. Then enter an address and PSP Maps will find it and zoom in or just use the analog or directional pad to move around and shoulder buttons to zoom in and out. The complete list of controls are:

• Digital pad: move the map.
• Analog pad: move the map smoothly.
• R button: zoom in.
• L button: zoom out.
• X button: next view type.
• [] button: previous view type.
• /\ button: enter an address.
• O button: show/hide crosshairs.
• Start: menu.

PSP Maps allows you to adjust the size of your cache so that you can store a large area of maps. This allows you to use it when you are away from your wifi. It also allows you to save your favorite location so that you don't have to enter the address every time.

There are 8 "view types" available that I have found. They are:

• Google Maps/Maps
• Google Maps/Satellite
• Google Maps/Terrain
• Virtual Earth/Road
• Virtual Earth/Aerial
• Virtual Earth/Hybrid
• Yahoo Maps/Map
• Yahoo Maps/Satellite

(Version 0.7, just released, adds Hybrid view to Google and Yahoo, and Hill view to Virtual Earth; also added is a Window's version)

PSP Maps has the "Wow" factor. When you start using this app it will blow you away. The map images are stunning and navigation is easy and intuitive. With almost every new move you make to the map the app has to load new images. This is only a slight annoyance because the load times are very short. I was able to move from Columbus, Ohio to Antarctica to Hawaii in a very short amount of time. A nice feature is the adjustable cache, allowing for offline use. I tried it out and found that it works surprisingly well. The size of the maps saved would be a very useful alternative to having a GPS unit in your car, assuming you aren't planning any cross-country road trips. If I were judging the NeoFlash contest (which I'm not), this would be my hands down favorite app. PSP Maps should be on your memory stick. I am adding this to my Best Homebrew list. Amazing work, royale.

Bumper Harvest v1.1 Review

Bumper Harvest is Kagato's entry into the NeoFlash Spring Coding Competition. Think of Bumper Harvest as a game of bumper pool but your "cue ball" is always shot from the same starting point. The primary object of the game is to bounce the ball off of the red bumpers to remove them from the playing field and advance to the next level. Bounce the ball off of the blue bumpers to increase your score; green bumpers to gain targeting guides; and yellow bumpers to gain extra balls (with enough points). There are also larger "red star" active bumpers and grey fixed bumpers which can help or hinder your progress. After you have gained the targeting guides, pressing the right shoulder button will give you a line along which the ball will travel. The ball will bounce its way to the bottom. If you are good (or just lucky) the ball will be caught by a moving grey object and saved, otherwise it will explode into flames and you have one less ball.

Over the past several days I have played this game more than any other. Controls are simple and intuitive. The ball bounces and moves the way you would expect. Game play is addictive and fun. Trying to get extra balls and targeting guides is a challenge but entertaining. The graphics are clean and nice. Sound effects go along with the game well and don't seem to get annoying. I do have a couple of problems with Bumper Harvest. The ball moves way too slow. After you shoot the ball, it seems to take a long time for the session to complete. I really hope that Kagato speeds things up in the next version. A second issue I have with the game is the graphic for the targeting guide. The green line which shows your trajectory isn't as clean as the rest of the visuals. It seems out of place since everything else looks polished.

Definitely give this game a try. It may be a little slow but it is fun. Well done, Kagato.

Nikwi Deluxe Review

Nikwi Deluxe is a platformer game in which you are a boy collecting candy. You jump around grabbing candy avoiding the enemies. The enemies vary but for the most part don't let the birds poop on you.

This may be the first game that Deniska has ported that I don't like. Deniska entered this port into the NeoFlash Competition. The controls aren't very good. I would press the directional pad left or right and often the boy wouldn't move. This is a problem in later levels when there are numerous birds dropping poop on your head (what is that about?). The audio and graphics aren't bad but nothing special.

Basically the game isn't that much fun. I wish Deniska had found a solution to the memory problem in Metal Blob Solid. That game would have easily won the contest, imho.

Bugz Review

Bugz is a homebrew game, developed by InsertWittyName (IWN) and entered into the NeoFlash Spring Competition. The object of the game is to "pop" bugs. Move your cursor to a point on the screen and press X. This will create a circle which will pop the bugs which come into contact with it. Those bugs pop creating more circles and popping more bugs. Create chain reactions of popping bugs until you reach the necessary number of dead bugs so you can move to the next level.

IWN has come up with a very professional looking game with Bugz. It is addictive and includes some nice features like game share, online highscore board, play your own MP3s while playing, autosave, and it uses the official load and save features of the PSP. Here is a video of the game in action:



I have two small issues with Bugz. First, you must disable all plugins before playing. The game locked-up on me several times while I was trying to get screen captures for this post. This isn't a major issue, just a minor annoyance which IWN informs you of in the readme file. Second, the game automatically plays MP3s from your MUSIC folder. I would rather have an option. Let me choose to play my music or in game music. I really like the banjo music IWN has created for the game. Give me the option to listen to it.

Definitely give Bugz a try. It is very high quality homebrew.

DOW! 0.2 Develop on the go Review

Dow! 0.2 is a PSP app that allows you to write Lua scripts on your PSP. This entry in the NeoFlash Competition includes a text editor with on-screen keyboard (OSK) and lua code snippets. There are extra menu keys which can be assigned to your own presets or functions. Dow! allows you to save and load files for future use.

This app works quite well. There are obvious limitations to developing homebrew on the PSP; the lack of keyboard is the foremost. I and many others have requested that Bumuckl (developer) add IR keyboard support and he said he would look into it. The OSK works well within its limits. The code snippets and extra menu keys are a nice addition. Another suggestion I have (if it is even possible) is to include/embed the Lua player so that you aren't forced to exit Dow! each time you want to run your newly written scripts.

If you are looking for a way to develop homebrew in Lua while out and about then Dow! 0.2 is a fine solution.

NeoFlash Spring Competition 2008 submissions are in

The NeoFlash Spring Coding Competition has stopped taking submissions. The judging begins now. If you would like to be a judge then try out the apps and games and submit your reviews here. There are great prizes for judging as well as for coding. You can find the PSP apps here and the PSP games here. The competition has really got some talent and the homebrew has never looked better. I suggest you give some of them a try. I'll be reviewing a few of the entries that I find interesting.

Metal Blob Solid v1.04 Review (Port by Deniska)

Metal Blob Solid (Blob Wars: Episode 1) is a new port from Deniska. This game puts you in charge of Bob. Think of Bob as the Rambo of smilies. Metal blob is a platformer where you kill a lot, and I mean A LOT of other blobs. These enemy blobs are aliens out for world domination. Will you help save blob-kind?

MBS has many types of weapons to choose from: grenades, laser cannons, machine guns, etc. These weapons are dropped by the enemies you kill, along with cherries (health power-ups) and small red and yellow orbs which give you points. There are many kinds of terrains as well: land, water,ice, lava, green toxic waste, etc. which you will have to navigate to save the MIAs and collect keys and cards which unlock different areas. Be careful while around lava and the green toxic waste because one slip and it is instant death. The water is also dangerous because you have a limited supply of air which is displayed at the top of the screen between your health and current weapon.

MBS is an excellent and very deep game. There are over 25 missions. The levels are quite large and have many areas and objectives. The high number of MIAs and optional objectives means that you may want to replay each level to save/achieve each and every one. The graphics are quite good, as is the music, and sound effects. The particle effects for blood splatter and explosions are excellent. This game may look cute until you see the first spray of blood. The controls work well and the physics feel right. The only time the physics defy belief is when you are crawling across the ceiling or climbing walls; yes, Bob can do these things.

As always Deniska has done an expert job of porting this game over to the PSP. There is one problem that must be mentioned though: Deniska warns of an "Out of Memory" error in his release post. He tells me that this flaw is due to a memory leak in the PSP-SDL implementation and will take some time to sort out. I have gotten the OoM error many times. I had to replay the third level four times to get past it due to this error. Deniska is a pro and I have faith that he will resolve this issue. I have found no other problems with this port and continue to play it. I only play one level at a time and then let it auto-save and exit the game. I then restart the game to clear the memory for the next level.

If you enjoy platformers then this is the game for you. Just be aware that it is not completely bug free and you may have to play a level more than once due to errors. Can't wait for the next version.

Here is an online manual for the game and here is the wiki.

Here are a bunch of screen shots:

World Map:


Level Map:


Mission Cleared:


Blood and guts:


MIAs:


MIA escape:


More blood and guts:


Under water:


Lava and explosions:


Green toxic waste:

Elephant 2.0

This was going to be a review but I was unable to get Elephant to work so this post will be about my experiences trying to work with this new app.

Elephant 2.0 is a syncing program for your PC. It is supposed to sync your music, pictures, video, homebrew, and ISOs. The app installed easily and the configuration is fairly straight forward. Input the path to your folders for music, pictures, etc. and Elephant should be able to see the contents. After I configured Elephant, it popped up a window saying that it couldn't find my picture, video, or ISO folders and that it would create them. It didn't ask if it could create them, it just said it was going to and gave me an OK button (see screen shot below). Creating the ISO folder wasn't a problem because I didn't have one. Creating the video folder had no effect on my memory stick. I can't even be sure that it tried to create the video folder. Although, creating the new picture folder overwrote my existing one. Yes, I did have a picture folder which contained 6 pictures and now my folder is empty. This isn't that big a problem because I keep a current backup of my memory stick on my PC since I am always testing new homebrew. I will say that this is bad behavior on Elephant's part. It should never change/create anything on my PSP without giving me a choice. It is irritating that my picture folder was there and Elephant was unable to find it so it overwrote it.



After that problem I didn't have high hopes for the app. It met these hopes by not doing anything that comes close to syncing. I was unable to get it to recognize or display the files on my PSP and couldn't figure out how I was supposed to create a list/folder for new items I want to put onto my PSP. There is no documentation which explains how Elephant is supposed to work which is also an annoyance.

I would steer clear of this app until the next version and if you decide to try it then, please backup your memory stick.

Tetriabetes v1.43 Review

Tetriabetes is a Tetris clone. If you don't know what Tetris is then I'll explain what it is but you also need to crawl out from under that rock you've been under for the past 10 years. Tetris is a puzzle game in which you try to position differently shaped blocks, which fall from the top of the screen, to create rows. These rows then disappear and you continue to place the blocks until your stack reaches the top and you lose.

Tetriabetes v1.43 is far and beyond the best Tetris clone I have played on the PSP. Dragula96 has done a fine job of recreating the Tetris experience with accurate controls and block movements. An added feature is a "ghost" block which shows you where you are going to place the real block. Dragula96 had some help from littlevish in creating very nice graphics. The game music is a little hardcore but I like metal and it seems to go along with the game quite well. The only suggestion I have would be to make the "ghost" block more transparent because when things get frantic sometimes I get focused on the "ghost" and don't realize that it isn't the real block and misplace the real block. Maybe that's just my own problem, but it would be easier to distinguish between the two if the "ghost" looked less like the real block. If you enjoy Tetris then you'll be very happy with Tetriabetes. Well done Dragula96.