• a computer that runs Windows
• a digital image editing program
• the “PSP Theme Toolbox”
• a little bit of time

First thing you need to do is download the “PSP Theme Toolbox” zipped file. You can unzip it anywhere, but if you’ll be doing a lot of Themes or want to use the pre-made default while going through this walkthrough, you’ll have to extract it directly to your C:\ drive (C:\PSP Theme Toolbox\).

_____________________

In the “Toolbox”, you’ll find:

• Icons and Wallpaper templates
• “PSP Custom Theme Converter” program
• Default Project saved as a “.txt” file
• “How To” Basics and Advanced Walkthroughs
• Layered PhotoShop template of icons
• Unlike for PS3 Themes, there is an actual program so you won’t have to be worrying about XML code or funky compiler programs.
• Open the program (PSPCustomThemeConverter.exe) and we’ll go though it, tab-by-tab.

NOTE: If you’d like to see a working example of each item, go to “File\Open” and select “PSPTheme_default.txt”. This will only work if you’ve extracted the Toolbox to your C:\ drive because of the way the project file links to the associated images.

The first tab is the “Information” Tab.

• Put the name of your Theme or its description in the “Title” space.
• The “Product ID” is where you assign what the Theme is associated to, e.g. Game, Anime, Movie, etc.
• The “Version” is helpful if you want to do keep track of multiple versions of a Theme, but isn’t necessary either.

The second tab is the “Wallpaper” Tab.

• Wallpapers have to be:
  * 480 x 272 pixels
  * 24-bit Color Image
  * BMP files
• Click on the “Folder” button to browse and select any image that matches the required size and format.
• If the image you select is not useable, an “Error” window will pop-up letting you know what needs to change.
• You can click the “Preview” button to preview your wallpaper once you’ve selected one that is workable.

Next tab is called “Category Icons”, and is for the main XMB Icons.

• These icons need to be:
  * either 64 x 48 pixels or 48 x 48 pixels
  * 8-bit Index (32-bit Color)
  * TGA, PNG, or GIM image files

The “First Level Icons” Tab is for the icons that appear within a category on the XMB.

• These are the sub-icons that appear below the category XMB icons.
• Double click on the icon line or click the “Edit” button.
• You’ll see a request for two files: the “Icon Body” and the “Icon Focus”. The “Body” is the actual icon.
• The “Focus” is the glow that pulses around the icon when you highlight that icon. If you’d like to keep things simple, or not worry about having a pulsing glow around your selection, you can either use the default focus image or leave that space blank.
• The icons need to be:
  * 32 x 32 pixels (Body)
  * 48 x 48 pixels (Focus)
  * 8-bit Index (32-bit Color)
  * TGA, PNG, or GIM image files

The “Second Level Icons” tab is for the “Settings” Icon. That’s right; the “Settings” wrench gets its very own tab!

• Just like the First Level Icons, these need to be:
  * 32 x 32 pixels
  * 8-bit Index (32-bit Color)
  * TGA, PNG, or GIM image files
• Its focus needs to be:
  * 48 x 48 pixels
  * 8-bit Index (32-bit Color)
  * TGA, PNG, or GIM image files

The last tab is “Others”.

• The “Preview Icon” is the tiny thumbnail that appears when you choose your Theme, and needs to be:
  * 16 x 16 pixels
  * 8-bit Index (32-bit Color)
  * TGA, PNG, or GIM image files
• The “Preview Image” is the preview for the Theme, and needs to be:
  * 300 x 170
  * 24-bit Color Image
  * BMP
• The final option is “Theme Color”. Here, you can assign a particular highlight colour to your Theme, or have it change monthly automatically.

_____________________

Once you’ve assigned all of the Icons to your images, go to “FILE” and select “EXPORT”.

• Name your file, click “SAVE”, and the program will create your PSP Theme File (.PTF).
• With your PSP connected to your computer in USB Mode or with a compatible Memory Stick connected, place the file into the proper “Theme” folder ( \PSP\THEME ).
• Disconnect your PSP or insert the Memory Stick in to your PSP.
• Under “Settings”, select “Theme Settings”, and then “Theme”.

Your new Theme should appear in the selectable list.

The homebrew application previously called PSP Wardrobe, XMBeditor is now moving along into a fresh direction. Homebrew coder Mr_Shizzy has pimped up his little “pimp my XMB” tool: while it was an XMB theme and mod manager before, it now allows you to go even deeper and manipulate a lot more XMB configurations.

XMBeditor is now actually in its second version. One of the biggest changes is that it’s now fully compatible with the PSP Phat. Other than that, here are the other details listed in the changelog:

• Made process of flashing theme 2 - 3X faster
• Added color selector for XMB date/time
• Added color selector for XMB busy signal
• Added color selector for XMB Battery
• other small bugs fixed

Be sure to take a fine look at the readme as it contains a lot more details about all its features and a full section on how to install the application.

Download: XMBeditor v.2

Animefreak345’s homebrewed coverflow application for the PSP, PS-Coverflow (previous version here), is finally updated and beefed up with quite a lot of new features and fixes. Users can now expect some new visual elements such as a visualizer and progress bar. The option to customize the colors in the PS-Coverflow user interface is now finally available as well.

An image viewer is also added, letting PSP users preview picture files using PS-Coverflow. Check out the rest of the updates from the following changelog:

• GRAPHICS
  • changed a bit
  • cleaned up side menu some
  • Visualizer
  • progress bar
  • customizable config file that can customize just about everything that has a color to it.
  • or use internal theme/config generator under settings
  • battery percent instead of bar
  • several psp style system messages have been added. makes it look cool.
• CODE
  • recoded it all and compacted it =]
  • faster loading speeds for everything!!!
  • almost 3000 total lines of code
• MUSIC
  • CoverFLow slightly improved
  • music browser has directory support
  • SMART next/previous song switcher (music browser)
  • supports /MUSIC folder and /PSP/MUSIC folders
  • ID3 support under music browser now, appears only while mp3 playing.
  • timer and song time
  • visualizer
  • progress bar
  • if you press select under the coverflow media player switches music info modes (its pretty cool)
  • shuffle mode can be activated by square and play the next song with r (not in the coverflow player mode)
• PHOTO
  • its finally implemented.
  • if image too large it will tell you ( so use resize to 480*272 mode, press triangle.)
  • if image displayed press select to exit the image
• FILE BROWSER
  • with music and photo support.
  • launch lua files
  • will add launching of pbp,iso,psx soon.
• USB
  • added that mode
  • mem stick, UMD, flash1-3
  • if no umd switches to memstick
  • flash support disable. (dont want you bricking ;p) will enable soon for you.
• SETTINGS
  • system info
  • displays your psp information
  • theme/config generator, customize and make themes.
• and a LOT more i cant remember or forgot to list.

As for installation, better follow these instructions provided by animefreak345, which goes, “Copy all contents of the .rar archive into the ms_root. the game has to be in ms0:/PSP/GAME or else it will not work properly.”

Download: PS-CoverFLow 3.0

Here’s a recap for the first-time readers: FuSa is a plugin that will enable users to play their handheld’s games on any TV regardless of the video cable (composite, component, svideo, d-terminal) hooked up to their Slim. Below is the changelog for FuSa’s latest build (quoting the developers’ site):

• UMD compatibility improved
• Every game now works fine while plugin is disabled
• Fullscreen mode # 1 added (Tested with SAMSUNG LCD 16:9 - works fin:) )
• No more crash on exit

Further details regarding FuSa build 41 are available via the file bundle’s readme. Those interested in checking this plugin’s game compatibility will want to visit the dev’s site, via the source link below.

Download: FuSa v1.0 build 41

Instructions:
- Hook up your PSP to your PC and connect via USB
- Open the SAVEDATA folder and create a new folder called BLUS30057_102484349275785718476 (dragging the unzipped folder only saves it in the temp files, you must create the folder on your PSP for this to work)
- Unzip the files and copy them into the PSP/SAVEDATA/BLUS30057_102484349275785718476 folder you have just created

Download Army of Two Game Save 4 files, 153KB

PSP-Homepage.Net will continue to provide Game Saves for the top requested games. You can leave comments or email the webmaster at psp-homepage.net if you have a particular game you would like a game save for.

Instructions:
- Hook up your PSP to your PC and connect via USB
- Open the SAVEDATA folder and create a new folder called BLUS30089-ACSAVE (dragging the unzipped folder only saves it in the temp files, you must create the folder on your PSP for this to work)
- Unzip the files and copy them into the PSP/SAVEDATA/BLUS30089-ACSAVE folder you have just created

Download Assassins Creed Game Save 8 files, 2.16MB

Over the next few weeks, PSP-Homepage.Net will continue to provide Game Saves for the top requested games. You can leave comments or email the webmaster at psp-homepage.net if you have a particular game you would like a game save for.

This is a port of Heretic by bjohnson. A game from the very early days of First Person Shooter games. It’s based on the Doom engine but you play a magician in a medieval dungeon. definitely download this if you have Doom! FOR 1.5 FIRMWARE PSP ONLY!!!!

important facts from the readme. you can report bugs on a thread at ps2nfo.com

Features
—————-
-Classic Medievil Action Now for the PSP!
-Analog stick for movement
-CHEAT CODES!
-Sound Supported tho it isn’t that great
-Shareware and Commercial version Supported!
-Shareware wad is included
-Save/load works!

Controls
—————–
ATTACK - X
RUN - Circle
ACTION - Square
USE ITEM - Triangle
ITEM SELECT - LEFT/RIGHT
WEAPON SELECT - UP/DOWN
ENTER - START
ESCAPE - SELECT

Cheats!
——————
Just tap the keys in this order

God Mode - Circle, Left
All Weapons - Circle, Right
No Clip - Circle, Circle, Left Shoulder
All Keys - Circle, Circle, Right Shoulder

The Grey Matter’s bejeweled clone has been updated and this new version’s got improved graphics and a edgy little soundtrack scored by SINX. It’s a must download for puzzle freaks but you gotta have that 1.5 Firmware PSP.

basic controls to swap a jewel are hold “O” button + direction on the d-pad.

One annoying bug i’ve found is that you have to use the Polygon game menu to quit the game (hit select). The standard “Home” -> Quit (Yes) doesn’t seem to work.

the release notes:

POLYGON 0.3 is here.

while i prefer to let the game talk by itself, i do have to make several small remarks about this release…

1)for some of you it might seem that there aren’t many changes, and while this is is true , it’s mostly because most of the changes are in the infra-structure. these changes will allow me me to add more features faster, and shorten the time between the releases.

2) the puzzle game type is a bit laggy, i’m trying to find a way to solve it without overclocking the CPU.

3) in the next release -
- the long awaited jukebox.
- sprite effects.
- better fonts.
- maybe a new graphic theme.

4) and last but not least - i would like to thank to Steve Bisson for creating the audio tracks for this release. in this version there is only one background track. in the next releases i promise to include them all as part of the jukebox!
thank you Steve, i hope there will be more great people like you in the homebrew scene.

5) have fun, and remember - scummVM is way more addictive!

Latest version of the PSPChess. 1.5 firmware PSP’s only.

UPDATED 7.16.2005
I’m just updating this entry because a new version, v.25, was released this morning.

RELEASE 0.25

properly handle promotions: computer can choose promotional piece, so
can player.

option: show moves (show the moves in the current game)
to show moves you must either have show options off or show
captures off (or both)
you can use show moves as coordinates or SAN.

reset music if finished playing

autoload saved options

save options in options menu

export pgn exports to file name YYYY_MM_DD_HH_MM.PGN

print last move in SAN, keep track of moves in SAN

RELEASE 0.24

analysis mode option - when in analysis mode, RTRIGGER will make the
next move in the analysis stack. Analysis stack will be moves up to
the point of switching into analysis mode. Should also work with
stored games.

button change: LTRIGGER goes back only 1 ply. This makes navigating
analysis mode easier.

analysis mode displays last 20 moves (plies)

He’s also asking for donations if you like the game. Donate here.

First release of a great homebrew tetris game. This is for 1.5 firmware psp’s only. It’s got a pretty sorry grey background right now but we’ll be releasing new versions with a couple selectable themes in the next few days.

If you can’t wait you can hack your own backgrounds into game yourself!

Same rules as the last Game Pack. You have to have firmware 1.5. This game pack includes two games, Snake and Solitaire. Both play nicely. Read Game Pack #1 if you need help playing these games.

Despite that similarity, this homebrew release does not use the API from Google Maps. Aside from the obvious simpler user-interface, Royale also mentioned that his program retrieves the images directly.

Here are the changes for this specific build:

* Added Virtual Earth and Yahoo! Maps support (thanks to boomerang for the idea)
* Address search menu
* Customizable cache size
* Added an option to load neighborhood to cache
* Switched to TTF font
* Fixed a bug with favorites
* New buttons mapping

The download package below for PSP-Maps v0.5 comes with several documentation that should help you get started with this program. Be sure to read those first to maximize the potential of this great application.

Download: PSP-Maps v0.5

The library has convenient functions for drawing lines and adding images to an application (complete with transparency options). Like most libraries, using it is as simple as appending a few lines to the start of the program during initialization.

As the download archive does not include a readme, if you plan on using this library, be sure to follow our source link for complete instructions. Be advised that the post is in French so you may have to use an online translator if you’re not too familiar with the language.

Download: LibGE v0.1

Real, Quicktime, and WMV audio and […]

Digital pad: move in the menu.
Analog pad: move the ship.
L button (twice): self destruct (useful […]