HMV is now offering the PS3 on first come first serve basis when it comes out on the March 23rd. After receiving heavy criticism from other retailers, HMV have decided to remove the deal PSP/PS3 bundle available for GBP 625, and instead offer pre-orders in the traditional way. The previous offer is now unavailable, but HMV are offering customers a refund if they purchased the original bundle.

The launch date for the PlayStation 3 is nearing and a total number of 220,000 units are expected to be available by March 23rd, so better pre-order them quick Only a limited number of consoles will be available for pre-order online, while the rest will be available from in-store.

As promised by Sony last week, PSP Firmware 3.11 is now available to download. Problems with PlayStation Titles in Firmware 3.10 caused Sony to release this latest firmware update in order to correct the compatibility issues. Not other features have been included apart from a new option allowing you to restart a game. See below for the change log.

Game

• Support for PLAYSTATION Network titles have been strengthened
• [Game reset] was added to the menu.

There has been no mention of strengthened security measures by Sony so we could expect a update to Dark_AleX’s Custom Firmware to include 3.11. This also leads us to believe that the “goofy” exploit remains in the system software – allowing for possible downgrading.

[Via: PlayStation Japan]

You can upgrade to the latest version in the usual ways, by either using the Network Update feature on the PSP or by using your PC to download the update from the PlayStation Website (be sure to visit the correct regional website).

Dark_AleX has updated his Custom Firmware, 3.10 OE A, to 3.10 OE A2. A2 (also known as A’ or revision 2) fixes a few minor bugs in games like Metal Slug 6. Other than the bug fixed, there is nothing new added. The installation process is much simpler and can be installed in less than a minute. Simply download the update, copy it to /PSP/GAME150/ folder (the folder depends on which kernel you are using) and run the EBOOT from the PSP XMB. Simple right?

It is not necessary to update to the latest version, however, if another update comes along it is a good idea to update to A2 and then to the next version. Sony will be releasing Firmware 3.11 soon and if all goes well, we could be looking at 3.11 OE.

UPDATE

Installation Note: If you are using the Firmware 1.5 kernel, you can update by copying the 3.10 A2 EBOOT to /PSP/GAME/. If you are using the Firmware 3.10 kernel, you will need to put the A2 update EBOOT in /PSP/GAME150/ in order for it to run from the XMB.

[Download 3.10 OE A2 Update]

Square Enix has finally announced the release date for the remake of Final Fantasy I and II. Final Fantasy I and II were originally seen on the Famicom/NES and later ported to the PlayStation and GBA. The remake of Final Fantasy I will be released in Japan on April 19th, and will retail for JPY 3,800 (approx USD 32). US and European release dates have yet to be announced.

We still have no details about what to expect in the remakes of both these games, but hopefully we will get them soon. The release date for Final Fantasy II is still to be announced as well as any other plans Square Enix has lined up for the 20th Anniversary of Final Fantasy.

[Via: IGN]

Sony will be releasing Firmware 3.11 in the second week of February (week commencing February 5th 2007) because of problems with playing the PlayStation One Title, R-Types. Sony reports that the problems that occur in Firmware 3.10 do not occur in Firmware 3.03, but unlucky for those who updated to 3.10. Sony therefore apologizes to anyone who experienced this problem. The exact details about the problem regarding R-Types is unknown but details can be found on the Japanese PlayStation Website.

Firmware 3.11 may also include a security patch to fix the recent “goofy” exploit in Firmware 3.03, although this is not confirmed. We will keep you updated about any developments. In the mean time, you can check out the Japanese article using the link below.

[Via: PlayStation Japan]

Dark_AleX has does it again! Firmware 3.10 was released and decrypted only a few days ago and already Dark_AleX has created a new Custom Firmware, 3.10 OE-A (Open Edition Revision A). Installing 3.10 OE-A will require the Firmware 1.5 and 3.10 EBOOTs to create a new DATA.DXAR files. Those familiar with installing previous versions of OE will have no problems with updating to this edition. But as always there is risk of bricking your PSP if the instructions are not followed.

Here is the change log:

• Change from Firmware 3.03 to Firmware 3.10
• 4th level of brightness can now be selected also without using the AC Adaptor.
• Changes in hen core:
• Static user ELF’s can now be executed in the 3.10 kernel. (this includes snes user version between other programs)
• Tyranid’s patch (added in 3.03 OE-C) consequences was not explained very well in the changelog of 3.03 OE-C:
  • For programmers: it allows kernel modules to have user imports, making kernel programming in 3.03/3.10 less strict.
  • For users: plugins and applications that worked in 2.71 SE, but not in OE, may now work in 3.03 OE-C and 3.10 OE-A

POPS-related important note

The plugin to load 3.02 pops won’t work anymore in 3.10 OE, due to some changes in pops modules structure. A new plugin for 3.10 could be written next week.

[Download Firmware 3.10 OE A]

UPDATE

Something that wasn’t mentioned in the change log is that 3.10 OE A works with PAL PSX ISOs properly. If you tried to use PSX ISOs before (on either 3.02 OE or 3.03 OE), you mave have noticed that the display is slightly cut off on top. This is not the case with 3.10 OE anymore, as several people have reported. The problem was most likely fixed by Sony, since their change log did mention better PSX game compatibility.

HMV, a UK Retailer, is offering a pre-order service for the PlayStation 3 when it comes out on March 23rd, however there is an expensive catch. In order to receive priority, you must purchase a PS3/PSP bundle costing you GBP 675 (around USD 1,326). HMV and Sony have apparently teamed up together to offer 5,000 customers this special offer. If you don’t already own and PSP and are interested in buying a PS3, then this would be a good offer, but other than that, this deal is useless and very expensive.

Here is what the offer says:

“Want to be one of the lucky few to own a PlayStation 3 when it’s launched? At HMV.co.uk, we’ve been working with Sony to offer up to 5,000 customers an incredible deal when you buy the new Sony 4GB PSP. Anyone who takes advantage of this offer will get priority over other HMV.co.uk customers for the PlayStation 3 AND two great free games for the PSP – Killzone Liberation and Gangs of London.

Your PSP console and games will be dispatched from our warehouse as soon as we receive your order. We will ship your PlayStation 3 to you from our warehouse as soon as we receive consoles from Sony in accordance with our terms.”

So, is this really a good deal? Considering the PS3 (60GB) will cost around GBP 425 (USD 835), it means the PSP will cost you GBP 250 (USD 490). Also, seeing as the PS3 is more expensive that North America and Asia, we fail to see how this qualifies as a offer.

[Via: HMV]

Sony will release an original RPG in Asia called Rezel Cross for PSP. The story circles around the 5 protagonists who obtained super natural power Rezel due to a mysterious comet that returns every thousand year. At the same time numerous wild animals also turned into berserk beasts. The 5 protagonists were in a mission to stop the beasts, and discovered a dark force who attempts to use the Rezel power to take over the empire.

The game will feature 20 chapters, and the 5 protagonists will possess the power like teleportation, time pause, psycho kinesis, transformation and see-through. The game will have 2D backgrounds and 3D characters. The battles will be in full 3D, with an interface similar to PSP’s XMB. During the battles, you can obtain skill points to unlock ability boosts, Rezel Arts (special attacks) and Hyper Rezels (super attacks).

Rezel Cross (Chinese version) will be released in Taiwan on February 15, 2007, and the Japanese version will be available in other areas this spring. In the meantime, check out the screenshots below.

[Via: The Magic Box]

Tiki Games, a new games developer for both console and handheld machines, is looking for a publisher for it’s latest game for the PSP, Galaxy’s End. Galaxy’s End is to be the first Real-Time Strategy (RTS) game for the PSP which is quiet a challenge. The game has already recieved approval from SCEA and development is already in progress. You can check our some of the early screenshots below.