The Sony PSP Takeover

[b]Emulators for PSP[/b]

Last month, I wrote an article on homebrew development on the PSP. In the following weeks, I've started to see a lot of interesting items come down the pipe in terms of homebrew apps, games and emulators. Sadly, at this point in time, homebrew applications can only work on units with the V1.0 firmware. In fact, many new games that are available now require you to update the firmware via USB or WiFi to V1.5 or V1.51 due to the "security issues" which coincided with the UMD hack. I would like to share with you all some of the treasures that are available to you emulator enthusiasts. Hopefully, in time, we will see the ability to run these on any PSP, regardless of what firmware version is installed. Please note that these are early versions and are probably not going to be perfect at this time (frame rate, sound, screen size, etc). Also be aware that you are trying this at your own risk and the developers of these apps and this site take no responsibility for anything that happens to your PSP. With that said, here you go:

The Emulators:

Gameboy/Gameboy Colour
Rin
Rin Unnoficial

GameGear
SMS PSP

Genesis (Megadrive)
Megadrive for PSP
Generator/PSP

MAME (Arcade)
XMame PSP

Master System
SMS PSP

MSX
Hitbit

Neo Geo Pocket
NGPSP

Neo Geo CD
NEOGEO CD (This one looks incredible. There is a video link here.)

Nes
InfoNes
Famicontest
Nes for PSP
Nesterj PSP

PC Engine
PCEP

Snes
UO Snes9x PSP
Snes9x PSP
Snes9x Optimised

Wonderswan
Oswan PSP

6 months after the release of the PSP and here is what's available already. I can't wait to see what the next year will bring. Until that time, keep your GP32 and hold your breath.

You can find all these files at http://psp-news.dcemu.co.uk. If you're looking for roms, you'll have be resourceful and find those yourself.

Until next time,


[b]Jason del Corro[b]

[b]Pro Evolution Soccer 5 - A Uk Launch title?[/b]

Pro Evolution Soccer 5 for PSP will be coming out
on October 28, 2005, and may be launched in UK. Pro Evo 5 on Play.com
is Evo's page, and it looks like they are taking preorders. John Terry
(Chelsea and England defender) has signed a deal with konami and is
promoting Pro Evolution Soccer 5. The game is looking pretty good, and
the graphics should be pretty well done knowing konami. Not much
information is available currently, but updates will be posted once
they are obtained.
"I've been a massive fan of Pro Evolution Soccer for years now and am
really pleased to be able to work with the talented people behind such
a fantastic game," John Terry said, obviously exited about getting to
play Pro Evo before it comes out, "It's the game of choice for lots of
players as it is so true to the real thing. I'm looking forward to
getting involved, and getting to play advance versions on the way!"

[b]Tyler Kmiechick[/b]

[b] PSP Standard Pack [/b]

Numerous reports are suggesting that Sony will release a Standard Pack
for only $200 US dollars as opposed to the Value Pack for $250. This
will probably be good for people who aren't swimming in money as they
will save 50 dollars and use it to buy a game or an accessory they
think is necessary. The Standard Pack may look like a price drop to
some people, encouraging them to go out and buy one. Thank you Sony.

[b]Tyler Kmiechick[/b]

[b]UMD Dumping [/b]

UMD "Dumping" Utility – Someone has now developed and released a utility enabling anyone with a PSP to 'dump' data on inserted UMD discs to their PSP memory sticks," says Games Radar. "Previously, a small number of PSP games were released on to the internet by small piracy groups, who specialize in the hacking and copying of numerous different types of digital media. However, in light of the release of this 'dumper' utility, anyone in possession of an original 1.0 firmware PSP has the ability to copy game files. As such, the number of PSP games currently doing the rounds on the internet is expected to explode."

Currently there is no way to play any of these ISO files from memory cards, hackers are currently working on an ISO player, which shouldn't be that far away. The games will be free, but version 1.00 is most likely going to be required to play them. Have fun.

[b]Tyler Kmiechick[/b]

[b]Amazon PSP Bundle[/b]

It looks like Amazon.com has jumped onto the PSP bandwagon. They are now selling a Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) Bundle 5 Games for 450 USD. Amazon says. "Welcome to the handheld entertainment revolution! The Sony PlayStation Portable is a dynamic entertainment medium that utilizes a broad range of digital content. Toysrus and Sony are pleased to bring you THE entertainment experience that fits in your pocket. With a diverse line up of games and video, audio, and photo capabilities, the PSP is truly a system without boundaries," about the PSP. The bundle pack comes with NBA, Twisted Metal: Head On, Ape Escape: On the loose, World Tour Soccer, and Wipeout Pure. For those of you who are wanting to buy a PSP with some good games, this package is for you. Thanks Amazon. Here is a photo (so shiny...)
http://img210.echo.cx/img210/3643/amazon6ue.jpg" title="http://img210.echo.cx/img210/3643/amazon6ue.jpg" target="_blank"http://img210.echo.cx/img210/...

[b]Tyler Kmiechick[/b]

Hey guys.
You should see alot of updates today.
Sorry we've been looking for affiliates for the site to help it's reach expand.
:-)

[b]Arjun Patel[/b]

[b]More PSP porn...this time on UMD[/b]


This summer, Japanese PSP owners will be able to buy porn on UMD. Adult publishers, GLAY'z and H.M.P. will be releasing a total of 8 titles that will retail for between $18 to $37 (ouch!). If you think that this move is a bad idea on Sony's part, think about this: One of the reasons that Sony's Betamax format tanked during the 80's was that the adult genre was not given the OK from Sony. Meanwhile, the adult film industry was booming due to the sales of its films on the cheaper VHS format. Another reason was the fact that VHS tapes had a longer running time than Beta, which was only one hour at the time. Sony has invested a lot of money into the PSP and UMD, an investment which they hope to recoup through the sales of software and movies on UMD. And although Sony has tight control over the content of their games, I would hope that they open up the use of UMD for other formats to include as many types of content as possible. Hey, while you're at it...let's look at the possibility of releasing writable UMD's because after spending $350 on a PSP, I am hesitant to pay $150+ for a measly Gb of memory.

Since we're on the topic of making a media format become more universally accepted, let's look at the market. Right now, the PSP is the ONLY hardware device capable of using UMDs. If you want to make the UMD usable by a wider audience, why not make more hardware with the ability to use them? Sony has always been on the forefront of making portable gadgets for the purpose of entertainment, since the introduction of the Walkman. What about a portable media player for movies and music that uses UMD? You can even include an A/V out so you can watch your favorite movies on a standard TV when you're on vacation or on a business trip.

If you want my take on the whole UMD situation, here it is: Sony wants UMD to be accepted and utilized as a standard format for mobile media. But is mobile media still the way to go? I keep hearing talk about PSP being the iPod killer, but iPod has something very important the PSP lacks: a hard drive. Though the UMD format is great for games and the movies look amazing, does it really make sense these days? I realize that Sony has to look after its assets by having a proprietary media format to thwart piracy, but iPod users don't have to lug around their music collection on discs like PSP users do with their games and movies. Remember, the goal here is MOBILE. What do you readers think?

Until next time,


[b]Jason del Corro[/b]