2007 is almost here and the XTREME PSP Team would like to take this opportunity to wish all our users and readers a VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR! 2006 was a great year for all the PSP developments we have seen from from the Firmware 2.70 release by Sony back in April to the release of Custom Firmware 3.02 OE-B by Dark_AleX this month. We hope there are even better developments next year with plenty of gaming!

We would also like to thank the many users who sent us New Year wishes via email. We have been very busy replying to all the emails!

We have uploaded two additional videos of both Final Fantasy VII (7) and Final Fantasy VIII (8) running on the PSP using Dark_AleX’s Custom Firmware 3.02 OE-B. This time, we have included some actual gameplay rather than just the booting of the game so you can get a feel of how it runs. Both games run pretty smoothly and there are no problems in rendering the FMV sequences. However, the only issues we have experienced is regarding the controls and the display.

PAL games have severe graphical glitches in both FMVs and actual gameplay, but NTSC (North America) games work just fine. Regarding the controls, you can either use the D-Pad or the Analogue stick but not both. Its difficult to use the D-Pad to move you character around so the Analogue Stick is the natural choice, however, when accessing the menus or in battle the analogue can be frustrating to use since you can find yourself selecting unwanted actions.

One last thing to note is that the widescreen display option stretched the display making the game look odd, and normal mode isn’t large enough to cover most of the screen. With that said, the original viewing mode is far smaller that the two. Its best to choose which ever view you are comfortable with.

Some of you may have seen the You Tube videos of Final Fantasy VII (7) being emulated on the PSP using Dark_AleX’s Custom Firmware 3.02 OE-B. Well, we have taken the liberty of emulating Final Fantasy VIII (8) on OE-B. Check out the video below. The process involves ripping CD1 of Final Fantasy 8 (we found that the NTSC version works the best. We did try the PAL version but it freezes after boot.) and using PopStation to convert the ISO into a EBOOT. Once done, simply copy the EBOOT onto the PSP (into X:/PSP/GAME/[some-folder])and run it from the GAME menu.

Dark_AleX, the mastermind behind Custom Firmware 2.71 SE, has released a new custom firmware based on Firmware 3.02. Currently at OE-B, the custom firmware has all the features of 2.71 SE-C and more, including the ability to play your own PSOne ISOs andchange the region code on your PSP. In fact, this new firmware update is so exciting that I had to take some time out of playing Final Fantasy VII to post this article (that’s right, I’m playing FFVII like many others on the PSP – no need to wait for Sony to release is via the PlayStation Store).

Here is a full list of what’s new in 3.02 OE:

• 3.02 Custom Firmware – 3.02 firmware environment with 1.50 homebrew capability.
• Can run homebrew using 3.02 kernel
• UMD Video region free
• PSP kernel region selector
• O/X button selector
• WMA enabling option
• Flash player enabling option
• Pops (SCE PSONE emulator) – DRM protection hacked and ability to play your own PS1 ISOs.
• More Recovery menu features
• Can run UMDs that require Firmware 3.02
• Tool for converting PS1 ISOs to PSP EBOOTs

The installation is just like the previous custom firmwares by Dark_AleX, but here is a guide anyway:

Screenshots

Generating the DATA.DXAR:

1. Copy ‘oeupdmaker’ and ‘oeupdmaker%’ to /PSP/GAME/ if you are using 1.50 firmware and to X:/PSP/GAME150 if you are using whatever version of 2.71 SE.
2. Get the 1.50 and 3.02 Update EBOOTS in the ‘oeupdmaker’ folder with the names ’150.PBP’ and ’302.PBP’.
3. Run ‘oeupdmaker’ from the XMB. This program will create a file called DATA.DXAR in the same directory (oeupdmaker).
4. The program will verify that the SHA-1 of the generated file is correct.
5. Once that you have done this, you can save the DATA.DXAR file to skip this step in the future.

Flashing DATA.DXAR:

1. Copy the directories ‘oeflasher’ and ‘oeflasher%’ to ‘/PSP/GAME’ (or /PSP/GAME150 if you are on 2.71 SE)
2. Copy the generated DATA.DXAR from ‘oeupdmaker’ to ‘oeflasher’ directory.
3. Run the flasher. If your battery is less than 75%, the program will show the error saying so and will return you to the XMB. (This check can be by passed at your own risk by executing the program with triangle and L pressed.)
4. The program will continue showing an agreement. Press X to accept and flash the custom firmware, or R to cancel and exit to the XMB.
5. If you accept, the program will flash the custom firmware. Don’t shutdown the PSP or remove the memory stick during the flashing process.
6. Once finished, shutdown the psp (by holding the power switch for several seconds) and turn on to 3.02 OE

Updating to OE-B:

1. Copy the ‘OEB_UPDATE’ folder into the ‘PSP/GAME’ (or ‘PSP/GAME150′ folder)
2. Run the update from the GAME > Memory Stick (will take about a minute)
3. Once done, restart the PSP to OE-B and enjoy your PS1 ISOs.

‘Popstation’, a Windows DOS program as been included to help you convert your PS1 ISOs into EBOOTS with full instructions. OE-A/B can be installed on the Undiluted Platinum Modchip with no problems.

[Download 3.02 OE-A with OE-B Update]

In the past 30 days or so, we have seen the release of three PSP Firmware updates, and now the fourth, Firmware 3.03 has been released by Sony fixing a minor issue.. While the only major software update was Firmware 3.00, Sony has release three minor updates dealing with issues regarding the PlayStation Store and PS3 connectivity. Firmware 3.03 doesn’t add anything new to the PSP list of features, however, it does extends the number of playable PlayStation 1 titles. Unfortunately, if you don’t own a PS3 or happen to live in Europe (where PS3 is currently unavailable) this update isn’t much use.

The new titles will be available to download from December 21st in Japan. Here is a list of what’s new:

• R-Types
• Taiyo no Shippo
• U-SA
• Dino Crisis
• Global Force
• Gekisou Tomaranna
• Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime
• The Convenie Ano Machi wo Dokusen se yo
• Mr. Driller

There has been no mention of these titles being released in other territories as if yet. Note that Firmware 3.03 is not homebrew-friendly and upgrading will mean you will loose the ability to run unsigned code. In addition, Firmware 3.03 is not devhook compatible just yet. As usual, for those of you who would like to upgrade the update is available via the Network Update feature from the PSP’s Settings menu. For owners of a Japanese PSP (PSP-1000 series), the download is also available on the regional website has been updated with the download link.

[Via: PlayStation Japan]

Game

• Additional PlayStation Network titles are now supported. PlayStation Network titles can be downloaded via the PlayStation 3.

Square Enix has confirmed that it is developing a PSP version of Final Fantasy Tactics, while a sequel to FF Tactics Advanced is also reported to be in development. The new game, titled Final Fantasy Tactics: The Lion War, will be based on the original PlayStation 1 game but adding new jobs, FMV sequences and cut scenes. Details of the announcement can be found in the current issue of Shonen Jump, and confirmed by EuroGamer.

Check out some screen shots below:

[Visit Official Site (JAP)]

Wow, yet another firmware update has been released for the PSP. It seems that Sony is getting sloppy in testing their updates since firmware 3.02 is a simple security update for the system software (put simply, a patch for a bug they found in the system). Since it is only a patch, nothing new has been added to this firmware update. You can download the update the Network Update feature on the PSP or via the regional PSP websites. It is not necessary to update just yet since games requiring firmware 3.02 will not be available for quiet a while.

For those interested, firmware 3.02 is Devhook compatible so it can be emulated on lower firmware versions, however, not all functionality will be supported. Another point is that homebrew support is not available on this firmware version which means you cannot run unsigned code.

Security

• A patch has been added that addresses a security vulnerability in the system software.