Homebrewers may have a new hero in the mist. Now that Dark_AleX has left the scene, a new team of coders that goes by the name of M33 have taken over his place and have released their own custom firmware utilizing Sony’s firmware 3.51. All of the firmware’s features have been retained, including the PS1 emulator, high video resolution, and MP3 visualizer. You can launch ISO’s and homebrew directly from the XMB, and also play games that require Firmware 3.51.

Other features include:

• CPU speed modification
• Recovery mode
• Multi-region
• Customize all your icons and more.

Please remember that installing a custom firmware is potentially dangerous and could render your PSP useless if the instructions are not followed correctly. XTREME PSP does not take responsibility for your actions, nor does the developers. Use this at your own risk. Please consult the read me file included in the ZIP file for instructions.

[Download Custom Firmware 3.51 M33]

Thanks to Sable for the tip.

Sony’s Press Conference yesterday finally revealed details of the new PSP model, however not all the improvements were covered. Kaz Hirai, SCE President, announced that the new PSP will be 33 percent lighter and 19 percent slimmer. He also mentioned that the battery will be more efficient, game loading has improved and also the ability to output video to a TV. What he failed to mention was some of the other improvements, such as removal of the Infra-Red port.

Since the Infra-Red port has been removed, the Wi-Fi switch has been relocated to the top of the PSP, near the USB port. The UMD drive no longer has an eject button, instead, you need to pull open the drive. The old PSP has a lock in the drive allowing the UMD to be locked into place once inserted, the new model however does not have this. This is one of the reasons why the new model is much slimmer.

Game loading has improved by allowing data to be temporarily from UMD, reducing load time during game play much like the PS3. You can now also charge the PSP using the bulit-in USB port, so the console can charge while you transfers files to and from your PSP (only available in USB Connection mode).

Naturally, the new model PSP will come with the latest firmware version pre-installed. The firmware will include options to change the TV display settings much like the PS3 display settings. We also speculate that tougher security measures have been placed on the motherboard, preventing firmware downgrading. While most of the features are great additions, we were disappointed to hear that no onboard storage has been added making the Memory Stick Duo an essential requirement for any portable gamer.

Product Codes

• Piano Black PSP (PSP-2000 PB)
• Ceramic White PSP (PSP-2000 CW)
• Ice Silver PSP (PSP-2000 IS)
• Battery Pack, for PSP-2000 model only (PSP-S110 / PSP-S110 U / PSP-S110 E / PSP-S110 G)
• Headphones with Remote Control (PSP-S140 / PSP-S140 U / PSP-S140 G)
• AV Cable, 2.5m length (PSP-S150 / PSP-S150 U / PSP-S150 E)
• S-Video Cable, 2.5m length (PSP-S160 / PSP-S160 U)
• D Terminal AV Cable, available in Japan only (PSP-S170)
• Component AV Cable (PSP-S180 / PSP-S180 U / PSP-S180 E)

CULVER CITY , Calif. , July 11, 2007 – In conjunction with a global announcement by Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. (SCEA) today announced the availability of a new PSP (PlayStation Portable) that has a more streamlined form factor and a video-out port, offered for the first time in this territory in two exciting new PSP Entertainment Packs. PSP “Ice Silver” will be included in the limited-edition Daxter PSP Entertainment Pack, available in September. Also, a collector’s edition PSP “Ceramic White,” including a Darth Vader silk-screen on the unit, as well as the PSP exclusive title, Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron, will be featured in Star Wars Battlefront PSP Entertainment Pack, launching in October. PSP Entertainment Packs with the new colors, revealed at the E3 Media and Business Summit today, will be available for $199.99 (SRP).

“We are very pleased to be taking part in the global roll out of the newly designed PSP, while providing something unique for users in North America,” said Jack Tretton, President and CEO, SCEA. “In response to consumer interest, we’re offering additional colors as part of this enhanced design to match users’ personal styles and interests. The Star Wars Battlefront bundle in particular is a great opportunity for consumers to get on board with a collector’s edition ?Ceramic White’ PSP. Also, the new video-out port, which gives consumers the option to enjoy PSP content on the big screen, brings a whole new dimension to the PSP experience.”

The first newly designed PSP that will be released in North America is the limited-edition Daxter PSP Entertainment Pack, which will be available on September 10 and provide users with everything they need to enjoy the ultimate in portable entertainment, right out of the box. This package will feature a PSP in “Ice Silver” along with the award-winning, action-packed game, Daxter ; the hit TV comedy from 20th Century Fox, “Family Guy – The Freakin’ Sweet Collection” on UMD (Universal Media Disc) ; and a 1GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, for storing photos, music, video clips and more.

The limited-release Star Wars Battlefront PSP Entertainment Pack, available on October 9, will allow owners to experience their favorite Star Wars battles any way – and anywhere – they want with a special “Ceramic White” PSP featuring a silk-screened image of Darth Vader on the back of the unit. Also included is Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron, the next chapter of the best-selling Star Wars Battlefront series from LucasArts. Set during the Original Trilogy era, the game is the previously untold story of a ragtag ensemble of battle-hardened rogues and scoundrels assembled by Han Solo. Now for the first time ever in Star Wars Battlefront, you can customize your character, select your weapons, choose your abilities and create a different experience every time you play. A stand-alone version of Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron will also be available on October 9.

“We’re really excited about the next chapter in the most successful Star Wars video game franchise ever, and since we created Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron specifically with PSP in mind, it’s the perfect companion to the newly designed PSP hardware,” said Jim Ward, President, LucasArts. “And the Darth Vader image silk-screened on the back of the unit adds to the mix to make a great package that should be high on the holiday gift list of both gamers and Star Wars fans alike.”

In addition to the new PSP Entertainment Packs, the current PSP Core Pack will continue to be available at $169.99 (SRP), with an enhanced-design PSP in “Piano Black,” an AC adaptor, and battery pack slated for September.

Driven by the recent $30 price reduction, the buzz from the “Dude Get Your Own” marketing campaign, and the breadth and depth of its software, the PSP platform has seen a significant lift in sales at retail in North America.

More than 140 games will be released for PSP this fiscal year, including more than 20 third-party titles currently slated as exclusives. First-party studios will be responsible for eight exclusive games, including several key titles that are playable at E3 this year: God of War : Chains of Olympus, Jeanne D’Arc, NBA ’08, Parappa the Rapper, Pursuit Force: Extreme Justice, SOCOM US Navy SEALs: Tactical Strike, and Syphon Filter: Logan’s Shadow.

[Via: PlayStation NA]

At Sony’s E3 Press Conference earlier today, Kaz Hirai, SCE President, announced that a new PSP model is indeed in the works. He confirmed that the new PSP will be 33 percent lighter and 19 percent slimmer. The battery will be more efficient, and there will also be faster loading of games. In addition, the new PSP will come with the ability to output high-quality video by pressing the display button. This means that movies, games, photos, and all other PSP applications can be output to a TV screen.

The PSP will be available in variety of colours, including “piano black”. Also, North America will be getting a new “ice silver” PSP and a special Star Wars design: a white PSP with a picture of Darth Vader’s face on the back. Japan will be getting its own set of new colours. Two bundles were announced for the new portable for North America. The first, titled “The PSP Entertainment Pack for North America,” includes the silver PSP, a copy of the Daxter game, a 1GB memory stick Duo, and a Family Guy collection UMD. The second is the new Star Wars Battlefront PSP pack, which will include the Star Wars: Battlefront Renegade Squadron game and the special Star Wars PSP. Both will retail at $199.99.

The current model will be available for the current price of $169.99. The new model PSP will be available to purchase from October in North America. The released date for other regions was not mentioned.

The 12th Issue of PSP M4M: Magazine 4 Men is now available to download. This time round, DK Jr. did a good job of keeping on schedule and released the mag on time. Issue 12 is dedicated to Wimbledon and has over 150 pages of content including various articles and plenty of babe photos. See the content summary below.

Issue 12 contains:

• Dangers of Flying
• A few Jokes
• Bar Phrases and their Meanings
• Paying for Online Porn
• High Definition vs Standard Definition
• Wimbledon Summary
• Wimbledon Babes
• Collection of PSP Wallpapers

Enjoy reading. Issue 13 should be available to download early next month.

[Download PSP M4M Issue 12]

Square Enix has announced that Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions will finally be released in Europe this October. War of the Lions is a update of the original Final Fantasy Tactics which was released on the PlayStation (PSOne). The game revolves around two characters, Duke Goltanna who fights under the banner of the Black Lion and Duke Larg who battles under the White Lion.

Although the game plays similar to the original, fans will be pleased to know that certain changes have been implemented to improve gameplay and deliver a better overall experience as compared to previous iterations in the series. The game should hit stores on October 26th 2007.

The UMD format has received a lot of criticism from both the games industry and movie industry, however, Sony isn’t going to adandon the format so easily. This stand was recently echoed by PlayStation Portable Senior Marketing Manager John Koller as he reiterated the different strengths (and weaknesses) of the format.

“UMD possesses many strengths, from size to form factor to portability. Duplication of UMDs is much easier, cheaper than cartridges. We’ve really optimized time and cost by going with a disc-based format. UMD is a unique medium to create games and developers need to understand that when tackling the system.”

He added, “There’s no question the biggest weakness is related to porting games from other platforms. Publishers are concerned about the size of UMD because they can’t cram a DVD game on to it”.

Given all these, the marketing manager explained that Sony really believes in the format and is not going to drop it. Koller shared, “We’ll never walk away from our base. Whether it’s movies or game content, third parties have an incredible opportunity to utilize it. The future of UMD is bright”.

That time of the month has arrived! XTREME PSP Issue 25 is now available to download. The newest issue is packed with 100 pages of great content including previews of Final Fantasy I, Hot Pixel, and Transformers, reviews of Mega Man Powered Up and CRUSH, plus all the usual content. Also in the magazine is another music review, the results of our competition and a homebrew review.

Summary of Content

• Previews:
  • Final Fantasy I
  • Hot Pixel
  • Transformers: The Game
  • Star Wars Battlefront
  • Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Heroes
• Reviews:
  • Mega Man Powered Up
  • CRUSH
  • Brooktown High: Senior Year
• Homebrew:
  • PiKey
• Music:
  • Foo Fighters

[Download XTREME PSP Mag Issue 25]

Dark_AleX is leaving the PSP Scene and as a result, 3.51 OE development has been seized. Dark_AleX’s website states that he will no longer continue developing Custom Firmware OE for the PSP because of various reasons. We were very suprised by this news since only a few days ago did Dark_AleX announce development on 3.51 OE. Dark_AleX will surely be missed because if his great contributions to the homebrew community.

Quoted from Dark_AleX’s website:

“Bye, scene.
I’ve decided to cease OE development, and leave PSP scene.
The reasons are various.
One of them is the time it consumes, which i’m losing from other things.
The other is related to my security. I didn’t like Sony menaces to PS3 hackers.
I think it is better to leave now rather than end paying the consequences.”

We would like to wish Dark_Alex good luck to whatever he decides to do in the future. Only one question remains: What will happen to the OE custom firmwares with the absence of Dark_AleX?

According to a post on the Devsgen PSP forums, Sony has included an official ISO loader in PSP Firmware versions 3.50 and 3.51. The loader is called np9660.prx and will apparently let PSP users load ISO files off their memory sticks. Once again, this feature wasn’t mentioned in the official change log, but it could be because Sony is planning to allow ISO downloads in the future.

Sony could be planning to release downloadable PSP titles either through PSN or a similar service geared exclusively for the PSP. The company has already mentioned earlier this year that a download service for the PSP is in the works.
French PSP news site PSP-Generation also notes that Dark_AleX and Mathieulh will be patching the np9660.prx file for use in Custom Firmware 3.51 OE.