The PSP puzzle game Lumines released last June jumped 5900% in sales on Amazon.com after gamers learned they could utilize it to hack their PSP. After following directions posted on noobz.com, players can download and play homebrew games on their Playstation Portable, for all firmware versions from 1.0 to 3.5.

However, the only homebrew currentlyavailable is the boringly titled “Hello World,” which is really just the equivalent of the crackers saying, “We did it!” There are plans to release a Homebrew Enabler and a downgrader. The out-of-print video game is currently outselling everything in Amazon’s Video Games category except Mario Party 8 and the Nintendo Wii. It looks like gamers are excited about the opportunity to play what they want with whatever they want. Maybe the video game industry will someday take heed.

Play a game in multiplayer mode against a friend when only one of you has the  UMD for the game. It’s a rather simple hack that’s easy to perform, yet saves  everyone money in the long run (besides Sony of course)

From the PSP homebrew gods, Noobz team has finally created an exploit to bypass any PSP Firmware, with the help of a Lumines UMD! Now you can run homebrew games, applications, and emulators no matter what system firmware you’re on!

read more | digg story

You’ve got to pat Sony on the back for giving it the good, old college try. After the Lumines hack debacle, Sony is trying to fight back with a 3.51 update that has been added today over at their Japanese site which would close up holes in the PSP’s security . Other than just the security fix, there isn’t much else you would need the update for. There is no added functionality included in the update and none of the currently released games will require it. But if you just love updates, and hate hacks, you’re more than welcome to go pick it up.

These demo’s are official Sony releases of some of the best PSP games available.

PSP Demo Download Instructions (using a PC):

1) DOWLOADING - simply download the PSP Demo you wish to play onto your desktop (you can download it elsewhere but it is easier to find on the desktop).

2) EXTRACTING - right click the zip file and choose ‘Extract All…’ to bring up the Extraction Wizard (built into Windows XP and Vista). Click the ‘Extract’ button and after a few seconds a new window will popup with a single folder in it and should have 4 letters followed by 5 numbers such as ‘UCJS10036′ … some demos have a suffix such as ‘-1′ or ‘-demo’, don’t delete they are important. This is the demo’s folder you need to copy onto the PSP’s memory stick. Right click this folder and select ‘Copy’.

3) TRANSFERRING - the easiest way is hooking the PSP up to the PC via USB. Once the PSP is detected you usually see a popup asking what you want to do, select “Open folder to view files” which will open a window which has your PSP’s folders listed. Open the PSP folder … then open the GAME folder. This is the location you want to copy the demo’s folder. Right click on a blank area of this window and select ‘Paste’. After a few seconds of transfering the demo folder (files are contained) you are ready to disconnect your PSP and play the demo.

KEY TO REGION CODING:

(U) - US REGION DEMO
(E) - EUROPEAN RELEASE DEMO
(J) - JAPAN RELEASE DEMO

The Games:

Airport Hero NaHa
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Airport Hero Narita
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Ape Academy 2
Requires Firmware 2.81 and up - (E)

Ape Escape Racing
Requires Firmware 2.82 and up - (J)

Ape Escape: Saru Saru
Requires Firmware 3.50 and up - (J)

Blokus Club Portable
Requires Firmware 2.81 and up - (J)

Bounty Hounds
Requires Firmware 2.80 and up - (J)

Brain Trainer Portable 2
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Computer Science Lab 1
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Computer Science Lab 2
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

DJ Max Portable 2
Requires Firmware 3.11 and up - (J)

Doko: Let’s Gakkou!
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Eiyuu Densetsu
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Exit 2
Requires Firmware 2.81 and up - (J)

Full Auto 2
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (U)

Go! Sudoku
Requires Firmware 2.71 and up - (J)

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Gurumin
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Homestar Portable
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Hot Pixel
Requires Firmware 3.50 and up - (E)

Intelligent License 2
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Kanji Trainer Portable
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Killzone: Liberation
Requires Firmware 3.02 and up - (U)

LocoRoco #1
Requires Firmware 2.71 and up - (U)

LocoRoco #2
Requires Firmware 2.81 and up - (J)

LocoRoco #3
Requires Firmware 2.82 and up - (U)

LocoRoco #4
Requires Firmware 3.02 and up - (U)

LocoRoco #5
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Lumines 2
Requires Firmware 3.11 and up - (J)

Mawaskes
Requires Firmware 3.51 and up - (J)

Medal of Honor
Requires Firmware 3.03 and up - (E)

Mercury Meltdown #1
Requires Firmware 2.80 and up - (J)

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Mercury Meltdown #2
Requires Firmware 3.02 and up - (E)

MGS Portable Ops
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (E)

MLB 07
Requires Firmware 3.30 and up - (U)

Moto GP
Requires Firmware 2.81 and up - (E)

NBA 07
Requires Firmware 3.03 and up - (U)

Ridge Racer 2
Requires Firmware 2.81 and up - (E)

Shichoka Crossword
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (J)

Smash Court Tennis 3
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (E)

Socom FTB 2 #1
Requires Firmware 3.40 and up - (U)

Socom FTB 2 #2
Requires Firmware 3.50 and up - (E)

Syphon Filter
Requires Firmware 3.03 and up - (U)

ToCA Race Driver 3
Requires Firmware 3.03 and up - (E)

World Tour Soccer 06
Requires Firmware 2.80 and up - (U)

World Tour Soccer 2
Requires Firmware 2.80 and up - (U)

Worms Open Warfare 2
Requires Firmware 3.52 and up - (E)

Xyanide: Resurrection
Requires Firmware 3.50 and up - (U)

Hackers have figured out a way to make the PSP and PS3 version of Manhunt 2 from Rockstar be uncensored meaning that the game has been brought back to its original Adults Only rating state.

Hackers seem to do some amazing things and this is a perfect example of that. Manhunt 2 was originally given an Adults Only rating by the ESRB in North America, which kept it from releasing in July on the PSP, PS2, and Nintendo Wii platforms.

Rockstar had to go back to the drawing board and re-work the game to the point where they had to dumd down the violence a bit so that they were allowed to release it. They did so an yesterday on Halloween the game launched finally on the PSP, PS2, and Wii.

Now hackers have apparently found a way to remove all of the censoring by Rockstar. This reverts Manhunt 2 back to its state as an Adults Only game which will please many gamers who were not happy that the game was dumbed down a bit.

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.

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.

Ok, so here it is. 3.51 M33 Custom Firmware.

Following in Dark_Alex’s footsteps come a hacking team from Russia called the M33 Team who have developed a 3.51 custom firmware.

Features >

* All functions of v3.51 firmware retained - PS1 support, high video
resolution, MP3 visualizer, internet navigation, PS3 connection etc
* Launch official UMDS which require v3.51 firmware
* Direct launching of ISOs/CSOs
* Direct launching of homebrews and demonstrations
* Direct launching of PS1 images
* Ability to alter the CPU speed of the PSP
* Recovery mode
* Multi-region
* Bugfixes
* Customize all your icons etc

This works will all models of PSP including TA-082 motherboards

Your PSP must be running either 1.5 firmware or any 3.XX OE or 2.71 SE custom firmware.

Download > 3.51 M33 CUSTOM FIRMWARE

Installation Instuctions >

1. If your PSP is firmware 1.50, copy the folders kxploitpatcher and kxploitpatcher% which are in the “1.50only” folder to ms0:/PSP/GAME/ and run the patcher first.

if you are already running custom firmware you don’t need to do this so skip to step 2

2. if you already have firmware SE/OE, copy the folder M33CREATOR to ms0:/PSP/GAME150.

If you have 1.50 copy to ms0:/PSP/GAME

3. Download Sony official 3.51 firmware update from here >3.51 UPDATE
extract with winrar and rename EBOOT.PBP to 351.PBP and copy into the ms0:/PSP/GAME150/M33CREATOR/ or for 1.50 users to ms0:/PSP/GAME/M33CREATOR/

4. Download sony official 1.50 firware update from here >1.5 UPDATE
extract with winrar and rename EBOOT.PBP to 150.PBP and copy into the ms0:/PSP/GAME150/M33CREATOR/ or for 1.50 users to ms0:/PSP/GAME/M33CREATOR/

5. on your PSP, run the “3.51 M33 CREATOR”. Once finished, press X, the PSP will return to the XMB, and a new program, the “3.51 M33UPDATE” appears!

6. now run “3.51 M33UPDATE”.

7. Once it finishes, press X to shut off the psp. Restart manually.

8. Down a shot of Vodka and celebrate.

please note, if you are under 18 (21 in some places) please skip step 8.

pics courtesy of wertypsp2

FAQs >

Q. My battery is under 75% can i still flash the firmware >
A. Yes, just hold triangle and L trigger whilst the flasher is loading (do this at your own risk)

Q. Do homebrew and isos still work in the normal way?
A. Yes, homebrew, iso/cso etc load just like OE firmware, iso/cso go in the ISO folder and homebrew goes in GAME150

Q. Will my 3.40 OE customisations work (icons/fonts etc)?
A. Yes, except for certain files which you must not flash >
* system_plugin_fg.rco (psp will freeze going into usb mode)
* pspbtcnf.txt
* vsh.prx not installable
* paf.prx not installable (semi-brick)
* common_gui.prx noncompatible (semi-brick)
* the topmenu_plugin.rco of the topics which contain a vsh.prx are
non compatible

Q. is NO-UMD 100% compatible with all games?
A. No it isn’t. Games that needed a UMD on OE firmware also need a UMD with M33 firmware.

Q. I have 3.XX OE on my psp and it is customised. Do I have to remove the customisations or go back to 1.5 before installing?
A . No this will install fine over the top.

Q. Does cwcheat work?
A. i’ve heard reports of games not loading when the cwcheat.prx is on. cwcheatpops.prx works

Q. I can’t enter USB mode.
A. go into recovery mode and toggle flash1. delete config.se. If you have customised your psp after installing make sure you have not flashed system_plugin_fg.rco to your flash0

Q. Can I use the EBOOT the installer creates on another psp to install custom firmware instead of creating one again?
A. it seems the EBOOT is generic, so yes.

Q. Does the brightness fix work?
A. Yes it does.

Q. Are there any other known issues?
A. quite a few at the moment including wifi enabled homebrew like pimpstreamer. i’ll try to keep this FAQ updated as best I can.

An official ISO loader has been found in the latest Sony PSP firmware updates (both 3.50 and 3.51). The file, np9660.prx, has been presumed to run downloaded PSP games (the encrypted ISO image) off of a memory stick.

The presence of the ISO loader may not be significant on its own, but the speculation is that it may be the first steps for a games-on-demand service where full PSP titles (not just PlayStation One emulations) will be made available for download and play, sans UMD. It’s an interesting possibility but at this point just rumors and speculation.