PSP Hacks · Hacks, Cracks, Mods, Homebrew, Utilities

Two more DOS classics ported by developer Deniska; please welcome the PSP-enabled versions of Nicky II and Bermuda Syndrome. Ring a bell? If not -

Nicky II is an Amiga/DOS platformer by Microids published back in ‘93.

Nicky II PSP Screenshot

The sequel to Nicky Boom; this time Nicky must find out who has been removing ladders and blocking off caves in his homeland. The gameplay is essentially platform, with multi-directional maze-like levels. Beating the obstructions requires occasional brainwork — hidden ladders are easy enough to uncover, and there are lots of hidden sections to look for. The levels are colourful, and the game has a cute look making it appear suited to younger players. Mirrors are placed around the levels, which transport you to a random place.

Bermuda Syndrome is a side-scrolling action adventure game from Century Interactive released in ‘95. You’ll need to download the demo or full version to get this working. See README_PSP.txt for info on that.

Bermuda Syndrome PSP Screenshot

You’re a pilot of a B-17 bomber in 2nd World War. After you’re shot down by German fighters, you crash land through some sort of time hole in a strange world, where both dinosaurs and humans live. The first thing you have to do is save a princess; she’s your companion throughout the game.

Note: both these homebrew ports require custom firmware 3.xx. Enjoy!

Credits:

Nicky II:
Alain Lambin - Graphics / Sound / Music
Dominico Manfredi - Original game programming
Gregory Montoir - Cross-platform game engine recreation
DENISKA - PSP port

Bermuda Syndrome:
Century Interactive - Original game creation
Gregory Montoir - Cross-platform game engine recreation
DENISKA - PSP port

Download:
Nicky II PSP
Bermuda Syndrome PSP

- source: deniska.dcemu.co.uk

It’s been awhile since the Z-man touched on this one… Rob_psp’s PSP-PDA v1.3.2 — a collection of PDA derived applications for the Sony hand held; including notepad, a music player, image viewer, address book, calendar, calculator, and clock.

PSP-PDA v1.3.2 changes:

• Fix IR keyboard issue with fw >= 3.80 for FAT PSP (thanks to Angelo)
• Should work properly with psp SLIM and fw 3x

Download:
PSP-PDA v1.3.2 fw 1.50
PSP-PDA v1.3.2 cfw 3.xx
PSP-PDA v1.3.2 source code

- source: ZX-81’s web site

File in style… Yeah, I said it before, so what, wanna fight about it? No, but on the real, Mediumgauge’s PSP Filer is no doubt the best multi-purpose file manager homebrew app —

…for managing both files and directories on your memory stick, UMD drive, and flash0/flash1. PSP Filer also includes a set of integrated applications — rip UMDs directly to your memory stick, view pictures, text & binary files — WAV playback, read-only RAR support… And much, much more…

PSP Filer 5.0 changes:

• added Greek mode.
• fixed a bug that Filer was crashed when it opened some kind of RAR file (probably having a comment).
• fixed a bug that a zipped file made by Mac OS could not be accessed.

Download: PSP Filer v5.0

- source: geocities.jp

Despite all the VAG and BJS talk, this isn’t what you think… J Brown has been hard at work reverse engineering the PSP game, “Beats.”

The often-neglected “Jamming” mode is really what’s up… Once fully hacked — it’s at about 90% now — you’ll be left with quite the portable DJ app.

J Brown’s progress is nicely documented via the source link for those interested. It details the structure of the BJS format, VAG and BAR files, as well features FreePlay’s “unbeat” tool (Windows & Linux) for extracting said BAR files. That also compiles and works on my Mac. So, have fun beatin’ it up, reeeal good.

Download: FreePlay’s Unbeat

- source: beatsoff.blogspot.com

Developer and Homebrew Idol contestant, Hardhat, has released an Internet ranking-enabled version of Resonate.

New readers should know Resonate is a fast-paced undersea rail shooter with one primary objective: become King of the Ocean. And now prove you’re king shit by sharing your high score online. Further enhancements have also made their way into version 0.45 — check ‘em below…

Resonate 0.45 changes:

• added high score upload/Internet ranking
• added new XMB background picture
• added new XMB song from DimensionT
• fixed some crash bugs in the level editor
• filled in some user levels with enemies
• updated credits to list some missed people
• made terrain more continuous
• new level transition effect
• windows level editor included in distro
• level editor includes preview of enemies on screen

Download: Resonate 0.45

- release thread -

Here are some worthwhile updates while I was MIA for most of the weekend: ZX-81’s AFKIM (Away From the Keyboard Instant Messenger) v3.3.4 and custom firmware 3.93 Update #2. The latest CFW update removes Hellcat’s “Savegame Deemer;” that is now distributed separately.

AFKIM 3.3.4 changes:

• Fix issue with ICQ / AOL account icon / login stuff (due to bitlbee server changes)
• Fix IR keyboard issue with fw >= 3.80 for FAT PSP (thanks to Angelo)
• Fix online status issue

CFW 3.93 Update #2:

• Select button probelm on Sony Keyboard has been solved.
• HellCat’s save game deemer has been deleted.

Savegame Deemer:

This is a small CFW plugin that will make the PSP to save any savedata in unencrypted form as well as the usual way.

The unencrypted savedata can then be directly edited with whatever tools you use for tasks like that (mostly a hexeditor, I’d guess ;-) ) and on the next load those (edited) unencrypted data is loaded and off you go :-)

Download:
AFKIM v3.3.4 (fw 1.50)
AFKIM v3.3.4 (cfw 3.xx)
AFKIM source code

CFW 3.93 Update #2
Savegame Deemer

- source: ZX-81’s web site & pspgen.com

theb1rdm4n has a brand new Homebrew Idol-ified version of his shooter up for grabs… After playing a few intensified rounds and calling it quits, you’ll soon be re-launching “Birdman’s Shooter” with the mentality of destroying your previous high score; it’ll do that. I’m going back in for more, right after taking this opportunity to calm myself and share version 1.3 with y’all first.

What’s theb1rdm4n gotta say?

It is loosely based off of the game Galaga. The game pits you against endless waves of enemies that get harder as the game goes on. Every 8 levels there is a bonus level and the enemies get harder, but the enemy count resets back to level one and continues to grow every level. If you perfect a bonus level you get an extra life and bonus points. Scores grow exponentially as the current level and difficulty increase. Scores are also slightly based off of your accuracy, so the more accurate you are, the higher your score will be.

Birdman’s Shooter v1.3 highlights:

• A sleek new interface
• Gameover screen changed
• New options screen
• Options and high scores are saved
• 10 backgrounds, 5 bullet colors, and 11 player’s ship colors
• New high score table that displays: score, level, and accuracy for top 10
• Completely revamped scoring system
• New power-up that slows enemies for a few seconds
• New loading screen with loading bar
• New bonus level with stats screen

See the release thread for the complete change log and additional screenshots.

Download: Birdman’s Shooter v1.3

- release thread -

ZX-81 unleashes a hellacious round of homebrew updates. No messin’ around, so lets get to the point… A synopsis for each is given on the download landing page; otherwise, for any techie, the names are self-explanatory.

PSPVNC v1.2.8 changes:

• Fix issue with IR keyboard on cfw >= 3.80
• Add a readme file

PSPSSH v1.1.1 changes:

• Fix IR keyboard issue with fw >= 3.80 for FAT PSP (thanks to Angelo)
• It has been tested successfully tested on:
  • SLIM 3.90-m33 (thanks to Greg from psp-hacks)
  • FAT 3.90-m33
  • FAT 1.5 (addon for 3.90-m33)
• Increase heap memory for fw3.x
• Code cleaning

PSPIRC v1.1.5 changes:

• Fix IR keyboard issue with fw >= 3.80 for FAT PSP (thanks to Angelo)
• It has been tested successfully tested on:
  • SLIM 3.90-m33 (thanks to Greg from psp-hacks)
  • FAT 3.90-m33
  • FAT 1.5 (addon for 3.90-m33)
• Fix issue with virtual keyboard (speed)

And you’re welcome, ZX. Props.

Download:
PSPVNC v1.2.8 fw 1.50
PSPVNC v1.2.8 cfw 3.xx
PSPVNC source Code

PSPSSH v1.1.1 fw 1.50
PSPSSH v1.1.1 cfw 3.xx
PSPSSH source code

PSPIRC v1.1.5 fw 1.50
PSPIRC v1.1.5 cfw 3.xx
PSPIRC source code

- source: ZX-81’s web site

Royale hittin’ homebrew homers with yet another PSP-Maps release. Version 1.1 introduces experimental and basic KML support; this allows for additional display information on maps, such as: directions, points of interest, custom markers, etc…

And I should mention Royale’s PSP-Maps (v1.0+) is an official entry in our ongoing Homebrew Idol competition.

KML support:

• Create a kml/ directory in your PSP-Maps folder.
• Copy the .kml files in this directory.
• Currently, it only supports “Points” and “Lines”.
• If you create an .png image with the same name as your KML file, it will be used to replace the default marker.
• You can easily create directions with this link (replace the towns in the URL): http://maps.google.com/maps?output=kml&
  saddr=toulouse&daddr=paris

Download:
PSP-Maps 1.1
PSP-Maps 1.1 source code

- source: royale.zerezo.com

Update: Build 17 is available –

• fixed bug which didn’t allow to disable plugin
• added hotkeys
• a little step to GTA games compatibility

Does your television lack component input(s)? If the answer is yes, are you sad or pissed off you cannot utilize TV out on your Slim? Then OldPrisoneR will either turn that frown upside down or prevent another Columbine with “FuSa” — a PRX module/plugin enabling TV out support using composite cables.

Usage, features, known bugs, everything and anything — see README.txt.

Download: FuSa 1.0 (beta) b017

- source: ps2dev.org