Here's a quality piece of homebrew from Sony PlayStation Portable homebrew developers Madsoul and Slasher - Orbid, an updated version of the quirky game EatEm where you played as a  glowing orb eating other orbs. It's more fun than it sounds, and with this new release, it's bigger and better. Check out the entire scoop in the full article.



Download: Orbid v1
Visit: QJ.NET's PSP Development Forums

There's a new version of poisonhzkj's Custom XMB plugin available. For the uninitiated, CXMB is a custom firmware plugin that allows for easier customization of the Sony PlayStation Portable's XMB.

Anyway, this new release bumps up CXMB to version 2.5. It has 3.71M33 support, albeit to a limited extent. According to tests done by QJ.NET Forums member madsoul, the only things you can change with CXMB v2.5 without causing your PSP to hang are the background and the wave.

QJ.NET Forums member NorthernFusion, meanwhile, reports that some backgrounds mess with sub icons. NorthernFusion also noted that testing was done using 3.60 custom RCOs. You can find out more by clicking on the Visit link below.

Download: Custom XMB plugin v2.5
Visit: QJ.NET PSP Development Forums thread

PSP homebrew coder brethren passed by the QJ.Net Forums earlier to announce the release of the Easy Theme Flasher application. According to the developer, this homebrew gives PSP owners"the ability to first preview theme, the ability to flash theme, make a backup of all customizable files, (and) reflash backup."

Also included in this application are seven custom PSP themes, with credits going to homebrew developers evolve, MaDSouL, saizn, mrdude, blackskull, gSmoke, Undertaxxx, and Z33.

At the moment, brethren has developed two versions of Easy Theme Flasher - version 1.2 for PSP custom firmware *3.30 OE-A, and version 1.3 for Dark AleX's recently released custom FW 3.40 OE-A. In case the users run into any usage problems, we advise them to head over to brethren's thread over at the QJ.Net Forums for further clarifications. With that said, we hope you guys enjoy your download.

*We're note sure if brethren meant 3.30 OE-A or 3.30 OE-A'. Still, guys who've tested the app seem to indicate it's working. In any case, we'd appreciate it if the users commented either here or at the release threads in case they discover any issues with this app.

Download: PSP Easy Theme Flasher v1.2 (3.30 OE-A)
Download: PSP Easy Theme Flasher v1.3 (3.40 OE-A)
Visit: QJ's PSP Development Forum

The PSPBoy? The Apple iGame? Like many a video game myth we know, names like these went down in the annals of gaming history as some of the more hyped consoles we almost expected to launch. For today's April festivities, the folks from 99lives have provided a top five list of hoax video game consoles that includes other names that many of you may have heard from before. For our first system:

Sega Phoenix:
A rumor started back in 2005, the Sega Phoenix promised, among other things, the computing power of four AMD processors, a 120GB hard-disk drive, and backwards compatibility for all previous Sega gaming systems titles. Rundown: It had the PS3's specs, a Wii-like retro gaming library, and the Xbox 360's looks (with liberal amounts of blue) - imagine the phrase "Looks like pork, smells like fish, tastes like chicken..."

Sony PSPBoy:
The name says it all - a cross between the PSP and a Nintendo Gameboy portable consoles. As it turns out, this faux-portable gaming system was crafted by our very own MaDSouL, who pulled off this project using his computer's trusty Photoshop application. Among other features the PSPBoy was rumored to carry were 2GB memory sticks, LCD screens and dual analog controllers (the PSP's thumb analog, to be accurate).

The complete console hoax list is available at the Full Article

 

Think your PSP needs a bit of redecorating? For the guys who said yes, we have another triple helping of custom XMB themes lined up for today (left to right): the Bubbles Theme by evolve, the Smooth Sensation theme by ◄◄♫♫►►, and the Arsenal theme by cold4ire.

The Bubbles Theme is an animated icon set for your PSP's XMB browser, and was actually a joint work by MaDSouL (for the icons), karakota (the original Sony icons), and evolve (the animation work). You can't really see it now, but the bubble-enclosed icons glow - it's simple, creative, and easy to work with because it's familiar.

The next batch, Smooth Sensation by ◄◄♫♫►►, is a custom icon set patterned after Windows icons. The gentle colors and smooth lines are clearly visible to users.

Lastly, we've got Arsenal by cold4ire. As some fans may notice, the underlying idea for this XMB theme is England's Arsenal Football (soccer) Club, a.k.a. the Gunners. Given that they're one of the more successful soccer teams we've heard of from England, we're sure many a fan will pick up on this custom theme set, which comes with wallpaper, volume icon, battery icon, opening, wave, icon, and sub-icon swaps.

Their corresponding download links are up ahead. Also make sure to drop by the authors' corresponding release threads over at the QJ.Net Forums to get the full details on what else they're up to. Enjoy your download!

Visit: Bubbles Theme PSP Development Forum
Visit: Smooth Sensation Theme PSP Development Forum

Download: Bubbles Theme for the PSP
Download: Smooth Sensation icons
Download: Arsenal custom PSP theme

 

Think your OE firmware could use some sprucing up? Homebrew developer poisonhzkj and China's R.P.G. group have just released the SCEP v1.0 beta2 plugin. According to reports from MaDSouL over at the QJ.NET Forums, it works fine with custom 3.03 OE-C, although problems were encountered in the screenshot function. Aside from that bugged section (it is a beta release after all), one of the more exciting tools this plugin carries is its capability to change the PSP's CPU speed - we're sure somebody will get a big use out of that. As for the author's release notes (mind the awkward grammar):

• Now the beta edition has a huge bug of using RAM. It must take up 480X272 u32 to store the original screen when you press Select to get the main panel out - you know 480X272X4 bytes is a big block of Ram...
• In v1.0t I use sceKernelCreateHeap()... it freeze about 20% and 100% in Video and web browser...
• In v1.0b1 I just take up the Ram after 0x8400000+1*1024*1024 ...and it can be used in Video but still not Web browser, because the browser use the area of ram.
• Anyway..it just a TEST purpose version... and I use 3.10OEA2 to test it.
  

Other important details include plans for a more stable version with better password compatibility for later firmwares. Additional details should be available at the source link, although it's all in Chinese text. There is an ongoing discussion on SCEP at the QJ.NET Forums, however, and everybody who's a little squeamish about using a translation engine off the source can opt to eavesdrop on that thread instead.

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UPDATE: Due to the negative comments below, a decision was made to remove the download link in this article and the downloadable file from dl.qj.net.

We apologize for any confusion or hard feelings that this report may have caused, and we hope our readers understand; this was once case where the passion in the comments were getting out of hand. We decided to err on the side of caution, removing both the download link and the downloadable file itself.

Those still interested in this homebrew can learn more in the QJ.NET Forums; madsoul's thread at the PSP Development Forum is still there. You can also check out the via link below (CNGBA); bear in mind that there's a registration instruction in the forum thread and that there's a new version of SCEP - the version1 beta2 0305 edition.

Visit: PSP Development Forum

Xploren's just dropped us a line saying that the black32 XMB theme has been updated to encore 2. This version now includes a custom opening logo and a spiffy new gameboot logo. Xploren also says that more updates are on the way, so keep checking back here on QJ or on the QJ forums for the latest.

Black32 is a collection of custom XMB themes. It includes a custom background, volume bar, battery icons, and a lot more.  Here's a short list of the people who've contributed to black32: innercy (icons), Hooverphonic (MaDSouL) (volume and battery icons), [Unknown] (loading circle), BearColin (original background). The wave as well as the opening and gameboot logos were done by xploren.

This theme will work on all OE firmwares with the exception of 3.10 OE. Remember, read the included readme file closely before you install this theme. If you have suggestions or bug reports, head on over to the QJ forums by clicking on the forum link below.

  

Download: Black32 XMB theme - encore 2
Visit: PSP Mods and Media Forum

 

XMB themes have been flooding us for the past couple of days. Who said one more would hurt? For some of you, checking out new themes on the front page every day is like taking your vitamins - heck, can someone attach an IV on my PSP for these stuff? With that said, what do we have in store today? xploren tipped us of and diverted our attention to his black32 XMB theme package.

Let us emphasize that: package. xploren compiled a collection of various XMB theme elements from his and other people's makings, and has released this for everyone's enjoyment. Currently, black32 is bumped up to version encore1 and includes a custom battery icon and a loading circle. Now, the Academy goes to:

• theme set by xploren
• icons by innercy
• volume and battery icons by Hooverphonic (MaDSouL)
• loading circle by [Unknown]
• background by [Unknown]
• wave by xploren

As with most every homebrew release in our blogs, we have to yet again stress the importance of the README before you do anything to your system. Brickage is just about as welcome as your annoying aunt butting into a conversation between you and your girlfriend.

Download: black32 XMB Theme (version encore1)
Visit: PSP Development Forum

So you really want dual analog sticks, huh? Get a load of the new PSP then! All kidding aside, it's clearly just one hell of a beautifully-crafted physical mock-up. We couldn't find any details about who made this apart from the "Design: Mod Soul" sig on the image, though.

The dual analog sticks are a great idea, but the positioning of those sticks would be hell on the thumbs. And where are the triggers? If they're where I think they are, it's going to take a pretty high level of dexterity (or freakishly long fingers) to properly this bad boy. Still, if this thing was actually available in stores, I'd probably go out and buy one. Too bad it inherited the Game Boy's tiny little screen though.

This also reminds me of that incident when a mom had her 12-year-old kid arrested for opening his Christmas presents early. The incident report about that one had the present pegged as some weird hybrid called a "PlayStation Game Boy" (it was actually a GBA). This proves that the people who filed the report weren't noobs after all. Oh, wait, no it doesn't.

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Update: We know, we know. We didn't spot this one right away in our forums, so we're really sorry we goofed up. But now at least we're clear about one thing: that isn't "Design: Mod Soul" on the image. It's MaDSoul! MaDSoul, I say! And he did craft this image by using - guess what - Photoshop!

MaDSoul from our PSP forums tells us that he took a photo of his PSP and of his old Game Boy Portable, used Photoshop, and voila! We now have the PSPBoy! Too bad this isn't real, eh? It would be so cool...

Again, our apologies. And nice work, MaDSoul.

Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]

Because there's more to do in Grand Theft Auto PSP than just jack cars, pump lead into Mafiosi, and hook up with the odd lady-of-the-night or two, QJ forum mod Serideth, along with football and Chathurga, decided to start a GTA radio talk show called Grand Theft Audio. It's actually quite fun: you get to hear all the biggest and latest (at least for that week) PSP stuff and more as you're cruising the streets of Liberty (or Vice), and you wrap your car around a lamppost or something.

Along with the group for the ride are staff members Anubis, Conor, DrynnlX, football, and MadSoul, some familiar names to those who haunt the warrens of the QJ forums. Their very first episode, available for download at the links below, features a discussion with fellow gamers about next-gen gaming (console debate!), and emailed reactions to the new 3.0 firmware (a.k.a. DA BIG 3-0H). They also interview the Fanjita's baybeh">eloader man himself, Fanjita.

The show also has the "Gamer Profile" feature, where (and we quote Serideth) YOU, a regular gamer, could win a chance to be on, and be interviewed by the GTAudio team. And as the show's newly-minted, they didn't get the chance to discuss the three latest items burning up PSP Updates right now - HEN-D, SE-C, and Booster's back - but you can bet that they'll be burning up the GTA airwaves in the next episode.

You can visit their site using the "Via" link below for more info, or the Discussion thread to voice reactions and submit ideas for the show (you can also email them through fans.gtaudio@gmail.com). In addition to the GTA radio file, Serideth also provides an old-fashioned MP3 podcast copy for those who want to listen to the show in a real car, and not a virtually-created one.

Thanks to koolio who got this to us!

Download: [Grand Theft Audio Ep. 1 for GTA]
Download: [Grand Theft Audio Ep. 1 MP3]
Discuss: [Forum Release Thread]