Portable Gaming Revolution

Gamespot has posted an interview with Chad McFarlin, Producer of the PSP version of Fight Night Round 3.

He talks about some of the PSP exclusive modes such as Rival Challenges in which you can simply jump in to the game and take on a challenge such as landing 100 haymakers in the time limit or dropped directly into a late round in the match. This is perfect for quick on-the-go gaming when you do not have time to devote to a full match.

Also mentioned is the fact that you will be able to play the game in Infrastructure mode (score!) in addition to local wi-fi which in my opinion is VERY cool and is one of the big reasons I will be picking this up in addition to the console version.

I have to say that this game looks beautiful. It looks to be one of the best looking games graphically for the PSP and I am eagerly anticipating the Feb 22nd release date.

Miemt11 has released his GBA Emulator PSP v0.01. It is based on the psp298 GBA 1.1 source code and features a smaller eBoot file as well as Firmware 1.0 support. Be sure to read the comments of the thread as it has some great discussion going on about this first release.

You can download Miemt11′s GBA Emulator PSP v0.01 here.

Homer’s RIN GameBoy Emulator v1.2.01 has been released. Homer has been working on getting Mirakichi’s Gameboy/Gameboy Color Emulator working for Firmware 2.01+ and it is apparently coming along very well. While sound is still not available, there are some new features.

* It now actually displays the correct version
* Deleted readme files, they caused some confusion
* You now use the arrows to select Screen size VSync etc. in the menu

Since I do not have a 2.01+ PSP I could not test this myself, but if any of you out there give it a shot, let us know what you think.

You can download Homer’s RIN v1.2.01 here.

Koba has released PSPInfo v0.1 for the PSP. This piece of homebrew is a diagnostics and clocking program that gives a wealth of detailed information about what is going on with your PSP.

Some of the available information is:

* CPU Speed
* GPU Speed
* Battery Status
* Temprature
* Voltage
* Basic Wireless Information

This is a really cool piece of homebrew and I will be looking forward to future releases of this application.

You can download PSPInfo v0.1 here.

Gamehelper has posted an interview with Christopher Reese, Technical Director for Sony Bend Studios as well as John Garvin the Creative Director regarding the highly anticpated Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror. There are a variety of topics discussed such as changes in gameplay for the PSP, the storyline, the weapons, the multiplayer aspect, and much more.

If you are one of the many fans awaiting this game, check out these interviews for some great info about the game which is due out in March.

announced that Sony and Sandisk are developing a Memory Stick Micro (M2) format which will be available in the first half of 2006. This could be usable with the PSP via use of an Pro Duo adapter in the future.

“Memory Stick Micro” media is approximately one-quarter the size of “Memory Stick PRO Duo” media, yet only about 1.2 mm thick. The media’s edges are slotted lengthwise to allow for more slim-line designed connectors to reduce space in host devices. As dual-voltage media, Memory Stick Micro supports devices operating at 3.3 volts and 1.8 volts.

Memory Stick Micro is designed as an externally removable media with a controlled eject function to prevent users losing the media. Users will be able to insert Memory Stick Micro into an adapter for exchanging data to a Memory Stick PRO compatible product.

This is a pretty small card (Click here for size comparison) and could, in my opinion at least, be far too easy to lose or break. However, it is quite probable that this will drive down the price of current PRO memory sticks which bodes well for us PSP users.

Thanks to mahjustin for the info.

Amazon is offering $12 US off the purchase of two UMD movies. The offer applies to Sony Pictures UMD releases which feature a mix of new (Hitch, Steamboy) and classic titles (Hackers, Terminator).

According to IGN, Monster Hunter Series producer Tsuyoshi Tanaka stated at a Tokyo event held in commemoration of the completion of Monster Hunter 2, that Capcom hopes to release a new entry in the series for the PSP.

Note that this game is different from Monster Hunter Freedom due out this spring. Freedom is based on Monster Hunter G which originally came out for the PS2. This is a completely new entry in the series that will be made for the PSP. Hopefully we will not have to wait too long after Japan gets it to have it released in North America.

Smerity over at PSP Updates has released Airstrike v0.2 which is a homebrew version of Missile Command. The game is still in the early stages of development, but it is playable. Additionally, you can add your own soundtrack by replacing the included MP3 file.

You can download Airstrike v0.2 here.

LostJared has released his newest homebrew pack LostPorts v0.3. This one is geared toward Firmware 1.50 users and includes the following:

* SuperMasterPSP – 2D Mario-style joke game
* MasterXWindows – 2D Shell for MasterPiece with command prompt ( add your own commands and compile out a custom version )
* PyscheMap – Mod to Cube Demo
* MasterPiece 3D – 3D Version of MasterPiece
* AtariVM – 2 Examples one of the script compiled into the eboot the other of it as a separate file.
* 4 3D Demos from the book “Tricks of the game programming guru’s” ported to PSP

You can download LostPorts Homebrew Pack v0.3 here. If you have questions, comments or suggestions, check the official release thread here.

Yeldarb has released two lessons in LUA programming in addition to his other PSP programming tutorials.

Lesson 01 runs you through creating your first script.

The second goes more in depth into programming structures and covers everything from displaying images, to playing sound, to taking user input. If, since the recent release of Fanjita’s EBOOT Loader for 2.01+ firmware PSP’s, you’ve been dying to create your own homebrew, this tutorial series should be able to quench your thirst.

You can go through Lesson 1 here and Lesson 2 here.

IGN has released 20 new screenshots of the upcoming Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror.

In Dark Mirror, you return as Gabe Logan, the bad-ass Precision Strike Operative. The first PSP outing for the series will have online multiplayer with four different types of gameplay modes, enhanced AI, and difficulty modes that monitor your skill level and adjust the game appropriately. The game is due out in North America Spring of this year.

You can view all 20 of the screenshots here.