CFW 3.95 GEN release delayed

 

If you guys are hot on your toes waiting for the release of the highly-anticipated Custom Firmware 3.95 GEN, you might want to take a break first cos it will, unfortunately, take a little more while.

MaGiXien has sent us an email informing us that due to technical problems on their site, the launch of CFW 3.95 GEN will be delayed by a few hours. According to him, ever since the release date was announced, they experienced server issues. To make things worse, the technical service apparently could not be of  any help to them as majority of the technicians were on their holidays.

Although things are running smoother now, it did cost them precious hours for the completion and finalization of the readme and other important stuff. As such, MaGiXien sends out his apologies that they cannot release the CFW on the promised time.

He does stress, however, that the release is NOT CANCELLED, but is merely pushed back a few hours. So just be a little more patient "until tomorrow," he says. Okay, so maybe that's a little longer than just "a few." Still, it won't be long till we have it right in the palm of our hands.

Rythm Engine: Rythm Box Mod [[V2]] - added various new effects, features

  

What do you get when you mate your everyday shooter game with Dance Dance Revolution (DDR)? You'll probably get an offspring similar to the PlayStation Portable homebrew game called Rythm Engine: Rythm Box Mod.

Developed by Brick, the latest update of the game clocks itself at version 2 and includes a lot of gameplay improvements and other effects to spice up the game. The game itself is still pretty enjoyable, considering its rather unique fusion of the arcade and rhythm genre.

Anyway, here's the complete list of changes that was added since our previous coverage of Rythm Engine: Rythm Box Mod:

• You can now break in pieces big enemies
• New particle effects
• Different attributes for each weapon
• Different particles for each weapon
• Smoother particle effects
• Added new power-up (SHIELD)(has a small amount of hp)
• Added animated effects for shield.
• New power-up icons.
• Added new boss-type enemy.
• Added new enemy type.
• Improved AI system(added more states , and mainly   used by the new enemies).
• Added menu sounds.
• Added more particle effects(for bombs).
• Highlighted (menu) elements are now flashing.
• New score text effects
• Added menu sounds(nav/confirmation).
• Lowered down power-up timer.
• New theme
• New theme effect
• Some misc code optimizations.
• Updated level editor to v1.c  (from v1.a).

Please don't forget to check out the Readme.txt included with the game for more information regarding the controls and how to properly install it into your handheld. You can also visit QJ.NET's PSP Development forum and discuss this enjoyable homebrew game with the developer there.

As an added bonus, the developer included a bonus level pack which contains two extra levels with Anime Pop and Rock themes. You can download this and the main game through the download link we've provided below. Enjoy!

Download: Rythm Engine: Rythm Box Mod [[V2]]
Download: Rythm Engine: Rythm Box Mod Japanese Anime Rock/Pop level pack
Visit: QJ.NET's PSP Development forum

Cleanest looking DualShock external controller mod for PSP

While external controller mods for the PlayStation Portable have been around for quite a while, someone from the Acidmods forums was able to come up with perhaps the cleanest looking handheld mod using a DualShock controller.

Acidmods member Blizzrad explained how the new mod made use of a single 25 pin connector mounted above the PSP power switch, which was compatible with a DualShock controller. You can hardly notice the mod at all; seeing how neatly tucked in the connector is on the side of the handheld.

Most of the buttons on the PSP have also been neatly mapped to the controller. The right analog stick simulated the face buttons (similar to razor nub), and the L2 and R2 shoulder buttons were mapped to the left and right D-pad buttons. You can even turn on and turn off your PSP with the analog button on the controller, while R3 allows you to perform the Home function.

If that's still not enough to impress you, you can watch a demo of the mod playing different games through the video below.