Fans of the Syn-z's DGEN Sega Genesis and Mega Drive emulator for the PSP - and who've upgraded to a PSP Slim - can now rejoice: DGEN's v1.70 source code specifically for the PSP Slim is now out, thanks to homebrew developer Takka, who obviously heeded Syn-z's invitation to alter the code for his Sega Genesis and Mega Drive emulator.

DGEN v1.70 for the Slim is basically the same as the application for the PSP Phat. Other users even testify that the Slim's DGEN now works flawlessly with near full speed. However, there are some minor complaints like the screen placement not properly centered. Do try it out for yourself though, if only to relive your classic Sega memories.

Enjoy the download!

Download: DGEN v1.70 Slim

We just got word from the QJ.NET PSP forums that Syn-z has released the source code for version 1.70 of DGEN, the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive emulator for the PSP. This should allow people to work on their own little tweaks to the DGEN code to make for personal versions of the DGEN emulator, or as reference material for use on their own works.

Up on Syn-z's webpage, there's a small note which, according to Japanese translation sites, says that the source code is essentially free for people to use. The next bit is a little tough to decipher though, so we're putting up the whole message for you to read:

Alteration and feel free to do so.

Published content is a problem, or if you have any hope of applause button from the bottom of the Web.

However, this and other questions about what is accepted so please be patient.

That being said, you can try sending him a message through the "Clap!" link at the bottom of the webpage if you have any concerns or questions about the code. Enjoy!

Download: DGEN v1.70 Source Code
Visit: QJ.Net's PSP Development Forums

Somebody's been having a bit of fun with his new PSP Slim. Cpasjuste from our forums dropped by earlier to let us in on his Sega Genesis emulator, as inspired by the funny "contest" he saw today. He says it's not for the money, but rather, it's for the fun. And aren't we all for fun?

Anyway, his Crappy DGEN port for the PSP Slim (No, we're not bashing his work. That's just really how he calls it) is a port of DGEN v100 by syn-k. Now, we don't think it can be that crappy, although there are limitations to this port:

• You can't use compressed files, files must have *.smd or *.bin extension
• DGEN folder must be in "mso:/PSP/GAME/" and be named DGEN

Anyhow, why don't you guys check it out yourself? After all, you can't go judging something by its mere name, right?

Download: Crappy DGEN Port for PSP Slim
Discuss: QJ.NET's PSP Development Forum

QJ.Net PSP Forums poster Thoto just dropped by to offer a challenge to all homebrew developers. Want some extra greenbacks? Cook up a PSP Slim compatible Sega Genesis emulator that runs as good as Dgen version 1.70, and your pocket will be assured of US$ 50.

As a recap, Dgen was able to run pretty much every Sega Genesis game, with plenty of additional features that earned respect. Some folks from the scene even considered it as the best emulator back when it was released. Contestants might want to keep that in mind, along with Thoto's other conditions.

From what we can figure out, entries must have 6-button support and frameskip options. Prize money will be sent through PayPal, and the author can choose to release the emulator to the public. For more details, it's best to contact Thoto himself, so drop by the QJ.Net's PSP Forums by clicking on the link below.

Visit: QJ's PSP Development Forums

And you thought you'd never get to play those Sega Genesis games like Castlevania: Bloodlines, Earthworm Jim and Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master that you spent countless hours playing as a kid or a teen... or an adult... but that's entirely beside the point, as syn-z's DGEN for the PSP is back for another run of good old retro gaming fun.

Hailed by QJ as one of the best emulators around, you know you just have to download it to find out.

Changelog according to Babelfish:

• When approximately 20% acceleration
• [in CONFIG] “BGM Speed Fix” addition (is turned to ON, processing becoming heavy, sound does not become slow.    
• However, there is no effect and/or depending upon the game trouble comes out.    
• In addition, at the time of communication opposition it becomes mandatorily OFF. )

Thanks a bunch to TheShadowRunner for the tip.

Download: [DGEN v1.70]

The PS2 or PSP don't have their own Virtual console Wii-Style or Xbox Live Arcade to download games from, but the availability of retro games for the PSP has just taken a leap with the announcement of Sega Genesis Collection for both the PS2 and the PSP. This is another one of those popular re-release packages that will contain 30 classic titles from your youth in one pack.

As 1UP correctly stated, "the collection is not only a terrific snapshot of what gaming was 15 years ago, but an opportunity for a whole new generation of gamers to experience the titles that once defined Sega as one of gaming's most revered publishers". These are some of the games that I grew up with, and I can't wait to play them again!

Some of the younger gamers out there may not remember some of the games, but will recognise popular franchises such as Sonic the Hedgehog, Glodex Axe, Columns and Ecco the Dolphin - the game which I could never complete. Sega have said that the games will be reproduced (or to use a word which is slightly more fitting, 'ported') with "the utmost accuracy to the originals as possible" by developer Backbone Entertainment. Also, the PSP version will allow wireless multiplayer for several of the games, giving 2.7+ firmware PSP owners the chance to see what they are missing out on with wonderful emulators like DGEN.

Sega Genesis Collection will be available this fall. Here's the full list of titles: Alex Kidd - The Enchanted Castle, Altered Beast, Bonanza Bros, Columns, Comix Zone, Decap Attack, Ecco the Dolphin, Ecco: The Tides of Time, Ecco Jr, Eternal Champions, Flicky, Gain Ground, Golden Axe, Golden Axe II, Golden Axe III, Phantasy Star II, Phantasy Star III, Phantasy Star IV, Ristar, Shadow Dancer: Secret of Shinobi, Shinobi III, Sonic The Hedgehog, Sonic The Hedgehog 2, Super Thunderblade, Sword of Vermillion, Vectorman, Vectorman 2, Virtua Fighter 2.

I must admit, I don't know half of them; but for the other half, it's probably the best UMD purchase you'd make.

We've come across the first "Persian" PSP Magazine and we thought maybe you'd want to take a look at it.

The magazine includes information on PSP Devhook 0.41a with Wi-Fi fix, PSP Alarm, PSP calculator and the Ch2 browser. Articles about the Dgen PSP (or Genesis/Megadrive Emulator for the PSP) and the game Fifa Soccer 2006.

You can check out the contents of this PSP mag (it's in Farsi, of course) by downloading it.

Download: [First "Persian" PSP Magazine]

Here is the second part of my top 10 Summer Sizzlers, featuring homebrew applications that have been ranked as the top 5 boredom bashers for the summer period, whether it's fighting games your after some relaxing music, or a good movie to watch. If you missed the first part of this then I recommend you read it here before scrolling to the end of this one. You wouldn't want a spoiler now would you?

Before I start, I'd like to say a few things. In yesterdays top 10 many of you were dazzled at why great applications such as iR Shell had come low down in the ranking. This is simply because it is an organisational application and is not an actual 'game'. Sure it will enhance your PSP experience, but iR Shell alone isn't going to keep you from being bored. However, iR Shell bundled with all the rest of these games and applications will keep you entertained for hours! Lets get onto the homebrew.

#5

This is a homebrew application that relies on another game to run, and the UMD game itself has done a lot for the homebrew community. It is of course Edison Carters GTA Cheat Device and GTA: Liberty City Stories. This little device launches using the savegame facility on GTA, and opens up a whole world of opportunities for GTA. This nifty app has brought us not only cheats but the ability to mod the game, leading to things like the Liberty City Stunt Project and Cheatsync: Pimp My Garage. Although this is kind of a mod for an already released UMD game, it easily triples the gameplay time of GTA:LCS.

Download: [CheatDevice v1.0d US/Canada]
Download: [CheatDevice v1.0d UK/Europe]

#4

This massive FPS title has ruled the PC gaming scene for years, and then it was ported to the PSP with multiplayer support. Quake for PSP is the creme de la creme of PSP first person shooters, UMD and homebrew. If you like FPS titles, which I must say pretty much everyone does, try this one. You can spend hours on the single player missions and an unlimited amount of further hours using the multiplayer mode. Downloading and installing this game is easy. As for defeating the game on the hardest difficulty setting, I'll leave it for the pros.

Download:[Quake V2+GP]

#3

This is one of the latest homebrew applications to storm the PSP homebrew community, DevHook. This nifty little application basically allows 1.5 users to load up firmware 2.5 and use any of the features that this firmware version provides. Now this will give you hours of fun: being able to use the PSP web browser on firmware 1.5, using Sony's Locationfree technology to stream TV to your PSP, or even playing WMA music files from the PSPs XMB. It's your choice. Also, the DevHook team are working on getting it to reboot in firmware 2.71, so keep your eyes on QJ.net for the latest info!

Download: [Device Hook v0.41b]


So far we've had a pub game in the form of PSPool, homebrew 'hacks' such as DevHook, organisational tools like iR Shell and first person shooters such as Quake. Now lets move onto the big dogs, the top 2. I must admit that choosing top 5 has been really difficult, and really all of the applications in the top 5 are equally weighted. However, as the say the show must go on...

#2

At number 2 comes a homebrew game thats been updated recently, and is one of the most action-packed releases I have seen. It is of course, Beats of Rage. This game deserves its spot at number 2 out of sheer enjoyment. Just like those Arcade classics such as Street Fighter, Beats of Rage has an addictive quality that just makes you go back for more and more. It keeps being updated, and in the future we should be seeing multiplayer support!

It has those retro graphics that lure you into the game, has the ability to be modded and the gameplay is really intense - just what you want from a game in the summer when you're bored. Its like having your cake and eating it: It's too hot to physically go out and fight someone, and frankly it's against the law, so why not do it on your PSP?

Download: [Beats Of Rage v1.2]


#1 - The homebrew applciation(s) of the summer 2006 are...

Snes9xTYL and DGEN.

Of course I couldn't leave this list without an emulator in, and both Snes9xTYL and DGEN are the cream of the crop when it comes to emulators. I couldn't tear between them, and as everyone's favorite consoles are the SEGA Geneses/Megadrive and the Super Nintendo, or at least most peoples are. They both have a suitcase full of features, and emulate most ROMs to perfection. They beauty of them is that you can load as many ROMS as you want on them, it's like having your own video games arcade!

DGEN will emulate pretty much all ROMS and give great frames per second at the same time. It also features Wi-Fi play, allowing you to link up with another PSP using DGEN and play against each other! It has savestates, a user-friendly GUI and pretty much every conceivable option for modifying the way it runs ROMs to make it just about perfect. The latest version, 1.5 is the most stable Sega Megadrive/Genesis emulator for the PSP ever, and this bundled with WiFi support firmly places it on the QJ.net Homebrew Summer Sizzlers Top Spot.

Download: [DGEN for PSP v1.60 for fw 1.00]
Download: [DGEN for PSP v1.60 for fw 1.50]

SNES9xTYL also has amazing emulation qualities. It has played every single ROM that I have thrown at it, and again gives an amazing amount of frames per second, especially in 333Mhz mode. Snes9xTYL beat off the competition of earlier SNES emulators using its user-friendly system, savestate support and overall stability. It has never crashed on me, even when the PSP has been put into sleep mode and is up to the standard of a commercial emulator - I would pay for this! Again, SNES9xTYL has multiplayer support via 2-player Ad-Hoc mode so you can play against another PSP running the same ROM.

Download Link : [SnesPSP TYL V0.4.1 Standard Version (2.0+)]
Download Link : [SnesPSP TYL V0.4 with Media Engine (1.5)]


And thats a wrap people! There are many more influential and equally amazing homebrew applications that could have made it into this list, but there simply aren't enough spaces between 1 and 10! Specialist applications such as PSPKick are also great, but they are specialist, and therefore don't apply to everyone. I have tried to be representative of most people when compiling this list, but the great thing is if you think I'm wrong you could always sound off in our forums. Have a great summer!

Forum Discussion thread: [Top 10 Homebrew Summer Sizzlers]

Mega Drive, a 16-bit video game console, was released by Sega in Japan in the year 1988. It entered the U.S. on January 9, 1989 and has been renamed to Sega Genesis. With Sonic the Hedgehog 2 being its top-selling game, Sega enjoyed 65% market share in North America by the year 1992 (the Genesis' main competition being Nintendo's SNES).

Get to play your old Genesis games once again with Syn-z's DGEN for PSP, a Sega Genesis/Mega Drive emulator for PSP. If you've been following Syn-z's work here at QJ, you'll know that DGEN is one of the best emulators around.

V1.60 is now out. Changes on this latest version are:

• Compatibility problems in several games have been fixed.
• Problem in 6-button mode has also been remedied.
• Some other bugs were also fixed.
  

Download: [DGEN for PSP v1.60 for fw 1.00]
Download: [DGEN for PSP v1.60 for fw 1.50]