The Wii’s Twilight Hack has been a big hit for the homebrew crowd. Using the software flaw, they’ve been able to play Tetris on their Wiis and even create some custom Wii channels. Nintendo tried to shut that program down, but 8 hours later, it was back. Nobody can keep the homebrew devs down, and over the past week there have been two more major breakthroughs in “hacking the Wii.”
A group called Waninkoko has created a custom firmware for the Wii which allows writable DVDs to be read by the system. This means that downloading Wii titles to your PC, and then playing them on a burned disc could be right around the corner. The second crack for the Wii came from teamshift. They were able to create a PSP emulator that can play whatever games you wish.
Of course, neither of these hacks have actually been confirmed, so take heed before you try to install the Waninkoko hack. Do so at your own risk. The PSP emulator rumor from teamshift comes from a single image posted on NintendoMax showing Puzzle Bobble Pocket playing on a Wii. The image doesn’t hold much credence, and could be completely fake, but if it’s real then PSP games may become the new black for a while in Wii owner’s homes.
As more information is revealed on this, we’ll let you know.
Read more at engadget and DCEMUuk
After a long wait, Team M33 has released the long awaited custom firmware 3.80 M33. This release brings the changes found in the official 3.80 Sony firmware, including internet radio, but it also brings the ability to run homebrew applications and backed up ISO games. One of the coolest features added to 3.80 M33 is the ability to upgrade your PSP using the Network Update functionality of the XMB menu. This means that you will no longer have to follow M33 upgrading guides, as everything will be handled by the automatic system.
Visit Dark_Alex’s website to download 3.80 M33 and see it’s included readme.txt file.
Visit qj.net for complete release information.
3.80 M33 Requirements
- Memory Stick
- PSP running 3.52 M33-3 or above
3.80 M33 Change Log
- HEN core: user mode can load now signchecked files from flash.
- Recovery: flash1 format will create flash1 directories after format.
- This could fix some flash1 issues with the previous versions.
- Network update from dark-alex.org page. By default is enabled. You can turn it off in recovery (when off, network update will download sony updates as usual).
- Nids resolver for various kernel libraries.
Sony reveals new details for BD-Live Interactivity.
Sony kicked off its CES conference today with some big news highlighting several planned BD-Live interactive features coming to Blu-ray in 2008. During an interactive demo on the show floor, Sony revealed a series of interactive features currently planned for the BD-Live networking capabilities.
The first feature previewed was one that would allow viewers to send ringtones to their personal mobile phones, including content from the movie itself. Viewers could extract lines of dialogue from the movie or other audio clips.
More excitingly revealed was that Sony is planning select Blu-ray titles that will include a version of the film encoded for the PSP, thus making the film portable. However, Sony didn’t announce a planned release date or titles that will include this new feature.
Stay tuned for more details on this hot new development.
Lets get one thing straight first: you cannot directly install any custom firmware on the official SONY firmwares higher than 1.50. This means that you have to downgrade your PSP to 1.50 before you can run any of the installation programs. For certain firmware versions below 3.03, you can directly use a glitch in GTA: Liberty City Stories to downgrade. However for firmwares above 3.03, there is no such way. Instead you have to use something called Pandora’s Battery. This is a modified PSP battery that allows you to boot any code on any PSP, including the programs that will downgrade your PSP. The process is quite long and complicated, so I will not be writing a guide on this blog. However there are many good ones that come up from a simple Google search.
You don’t have a friend with a PSP? Well, all hope is not lost. There is a way to physically modify the battery and make it act as a Pandora’s Battery. However it requires you to crack open the battery, and place a pin between two connectors. Some guides that describe this process are here:
Big, huge, gigantic news! The great Dark_AleX, responsible for all the custom firmwares available for the PSP who claimed to have gone into retirement, is back under the name of M33 releasing a brand new custom firmware for both PSP Fat and Slim! The new firmware is barely out of the gate and is already fully hacked.
3.71 M33 by M33=Dark_AleX
Changes in 3.71 M33:
- Now uses 3.71
- VSH Menu is not longer launched using HOME key, but using SELECT now. This is to not interfere with the XMB function of home, which is now more useful in this firmware.
- Psp Slim: umdcache was allocating memory even when homebrew was launched, wasting memory that homebrew programs may want to use. Now umdcache module is stopped before it can allocate any memory, only in the case homebrew is launched.
Also, memory is unprotected for user memory usage by M33 core (only when homebrew is launched).
Developer, for a sample of how to use the extra memory, see the extra ram sample of the M33 sdk.
- Both version boot now from 3.XX ipl, and are independent of 1.50.
The main installer will not install 1.50 kernel anymore.
A 1.50 kernel addon for 3.71 M33 that will install inside 3.71 M33 will be released in a
few days (for fat only)
Note: due to some changes in kernel nids by Sony, you can expect a lot of kernel plugins not working anymore.
Programmers: refer to the sdk readme for details.
It’s nice to see the PSP hacking community is still alive and well.
You will need the official 3.71 firmware and the M33 installer. To install you will need a PSP Fat with 3.52 M33-3 or 3.52 M33-4 or a PSP Slim with 3.60 M33. Visit the Official M33 website for more details and previous M33 releases if you need them to meet the requirements for 3.71.
The M33 team has done it again. The PSP Slim can now run M33’s 3.60 custom firmware. The new firmware has “all the features of 3.52 M33, except the 1.50 kernel support”. This means that some homebrew that was developed specifically for 1.50 (e.g. homebrew games that would go into the GAME150 folder) will not work with the custom firmware.
The installation is complex, requiring a Pandora Battery and Pandora memory stick, a non-Slim PSP with firmware 1.50 or custom firmware that supports 1.50 kernel, and of course, a PSP-2000. As always, this is not for the faint of heart nor anyone who hates carefully reading and following instructions, as there is always a possibility of bricking your brand new PSP-2000. As such, use at your own risk. Full instructions for the installation can be found here.
Download M33’s custom 3.60 firmware here (scroll down to the bottom of the first post).
The new PSP slims have been on the market for less than 24 hours but, if we’ve learned one thing from the Internet, it is that the hackers move quickly. Many have feared that the hardware update may make hacking much harder, but the firmware has already been dumped, and it has been confirmed that the system has 66MB of NAND memory, double that of the original PSP.
While Sony is mainly touting the extra memory as a way of decreasing load times in new and existing games, it will have the bonus side effect of giving hackers and homebrew coders much more memory to work with. Will we begin to see homebrew games taking advantage of the extra headroom and requiring the new PSP to play? Perhaps.
The hacking world moves fast. We’ll try to keep up.
One of the biggest if not THE BIGGEST development in the PSP hacking scene has just unfolded. A collective group of hackers including the likes of Dark_Alex, Noobz and Booster have released a new piece of software which will replicate the exact functions of Sony’s Jigkick battery (even better) - that means it is now possible for homebrew enabled PSP’s to UNBRICK and DOWNGRADE their systems at their own will. The respective software will transform any regular PSP battery into one which can perform all the functions of the Official Sony JigKick which is used by Sony repair staff themselves. Even if your PSP is not homebrew enabled, you can just ask a friend who has a homebrew enabled PSP to run the software and transform your battery too! Read more on the software at the official release thread as launched by legendary hacker Dark_Alex HERE. Spread the word and DIGG THIS! And on a FINAL note, while the team is a bit too proud to apply pressure for DONATIONS, just do it even if it is just a dollar - ig390@msn.com via PAYPAL (Authorized by Dark_Alex, Noobz and all on the C+D development team).
Read More/Download: here
| TOCA Race Driver 3 ChallengeDeveloper: Sumo Digital
Publisher: Codemasters
“You’ll need dedication, patience and skill to get the most of TRD3 Challenge,” we said in our review back in March and nothing has changed since. This isn’t a game for those whose idea of racing is to approach corners with the finger firmly on the accelerator button and simply flick the analogue nub (or D-pad) violently to one side. If that’s not you, you’ll love the wide range of vehicles and remarkable balance of ‘playable reality’ on offer here. |
 |
| The WarriorsDeveloper: Rockstar Leeds
Publisher: Rockstar
Adapted from a cult 1979 film (and previously available on consoles), this is an often brutal gang-based action adventure that sees you fighting your way across New York’s meanest streets. Thankfully, the third-person combat system is as tough as they come, which combined with a hugely atmospheric setting, superlative production values and seemingly endless variety makes this a supremely entertaining experience all PSP-owning adults (this is 18-rated) should try. |
 |
| Metal Slug AnthologyDeveloper: SNK Playmore
Publisher: Ignition
Seven games from SNK’s gorgeous, delightfully playable 2D side-scrolling shooter series may sound like a recipe for broken PSP buttons as a result of the relentless use they’ll endure. For us, though, it sounds like the UMD to have with you at all times. Because despite the odd irritating flaw as a result of the conversion process, there is little on Sony’s handheld that can match this for a quick, gratifying dose of shoot-’em-up goodness. |
 |
| Sega Mega Drive CollectionDeveloper: Digital Eclipse
Publisher: Sega
Granted, not all of the 27 impeccably converted games crammed into this UMD are classics, but the majority do represent a selection of the most popular titles to appear on Sega’s old 16-bit console. From various examples of the Sonic The Hedgehog, Phantasy Star, Golden Axe and Ecco the Dolphin series, to Columns, Virtua Fighter 2 and Shinobi III, this is one of the strongest retro compilations to have appeared on any system. |
 |
| Tony Hawk’s Project 8Developer: Page 44 Studios
Publisher: Activision
Console owners may be sick of the Hawkster tuning up on a yearly basis, but on PSP his appearances have to date been far less frequent. As a result, when a skateboarding game as delicately crafted and compelling as this rolls along, it’s impossible (and, indeed, unfair) to ignore it. Crucially, Project 8 nails the control mechanism and then follows that with a ridiculous amount of depth through a multitude of mini-goal based missions. It’s emerged as one of the year’s most absorbing games. |
 |
| Ratchet & Clank: Size MattersDeveloper: High Impact Games
Publisher: Sony
Taking a much-deserved vacation from their adventures on PlayStation 2, Ratchet and Clank turn up on PSP only to find themselves needing to embark on a mysterious quest involving a kidnapped girl and forgotten race of genius inventors. Cue the franchise’s many weapons and gadgets, which together with the relentless destruction, pleasing variety, and tonnes of content results in one of the handheld’s best action adventure experiences to date. |
 |
| Sid Meier’s Pirates!Developer: Full Fat
Publisher: 2K Games
An update of the classic 1987 strategy-led adventure, whose open-ended mechanic gives you the freedom to amass fame, fortune, land, political power and treasure as you roam around the Gulf Coast, Caribbean and South America, making both friends and enemies. It’s a glorious mix of exploration, mutinies, duelling and sea-battle mini-games, charming and humourous cut-scenes, supported by the kind of sturdy game design even the most determined cannonball can’t dent. |
 |
| Metal Gear Solid: Portable OpsDeveloper: Kojima Productions
Publisher: Konami
Although out in the US in 2006, Portable Ops qualifies for inclusion here due to the ridiculous five-month wait European gamers had to endure for the game to arrive in our continent. Specifically, it qualifies for inclusion here in such a high position because it’s excellent – a clever and brilliantly designed stealth-based action title that remains true to the essence of past MGS games while introducing a host of new elements, not least one of the strongest multiplayer aspects yet seen on PSP. |
 |
| Virtua Tennis 3Developer: Sumo Digital
Publisher: Sega
Wimbledon competitors may have spent more time waiting around that playing on the courts this year but we suspect those crafty enough to have packed a PSP with a copy of Sega’s brilliant Virtua Tennis 3 into their kit bag probably didn’t mind the rain one bit. That would be because this is one superbly refined tennis game, its exquisite control mechanics partnered by the brilliantly balanced difficulty and variety of the content. The resulting digital sporting experience is simply smashing. |
 |
| CrushDeveloper: Zoë Mode
Publisher: Sega
Crush is exactly the kind of game the PSP is crying out for. Innovative, daring, fresh, perfectly suited to its host platform and immensely playable, it’s no wonder the game recently won a prestigious Develop Award for ‘Best New Handheld IP’. Don’t let the dry terminology of the award’s label conjure up the wrong image, though – Crush beat its rivals precisely because its vibrant qualities are impossible to miss. From the moment you pick it up, you’re lost in a clever, masterfully designed, multi-dimensional puzzler that will consume your thoughts. |
 |
- The Too Smart Babies show you how to install Custom Firmware 3.52 M33 on your PSP
Files Needed:
