PSP all-firmware homebrew hack surfaces

In what undoubtedly will be remembered as a historic and life-changing event for PSP enthusiasts everywhere, a group of coders (Noobz and Archaemic, to be exact) have exploited a loophole in the Ubisoft game Lumines which enables homebrew-ing on all PSP firmware versions, from 1.00 to 3.50. This first ever all-firmware hack is a significant development, as homebrewing up until now has required specific versions (and usually the use of downgraders). No word yet on how Ubisoft feels about being party to this party, but something tells us Sony isn't going to be real stoked.

Update: On a completely unrelated note, Lumines has moved from a rank of 797 on Amazon's movers & shakers, to the number 1 slot with a sales gain of something like + 13,166%.

[Thanks, Craig and Bobb]

[Age @ Jun 24th 2007 10:34PM]

Ok I'm going to EB to pick myself up a copy of Lumines :)

[Common Core 2 Duo!! @ Jun 24th 2007 10:40PM]

What does this allow to do?

[SOSdan @ Jun 24th 2007 10:46PM]

"Right now, the only homebrew is the Hello World demo released below - but in future we intend to release a HEN and downgrader."

[Age @ Jun 24th 2007 10:47PM]

Allows the PSP to run unsigned code(homemade apps) which can possibly lead to a new way to get custom made OS to run. Custom OS = Better functionailty

[Betatester @ Jun 24th 2007 10:52PM]

and sales sky rocket...
http://amazon.com/gp/movers-and-shakers/videogames/ref=pd_ts_mte/105-7491480-8122035

[Big @ Jun 24th 2007 11:58PM]

That's incredible.

I never imagined a product over 2 years old to move that fast.

Imagine if they released a report claiming that somewhere out there there was an Apple Ipod Video that had a file showing the real culprit of the Kennedy Assassination.

[xxdesmus @ Jun 24th 2007 10:53PM]

Suddenly every copy of Lumines will not become impossible to find at any game store :)

This happened with Mech Warrior (on Xbox). It was tough to find that crappy game for a while as well (because you could use the game to install the Linux bootloader on the Xbox).

A great day indeed!

[JohnTitor @ Jun 24th 2007 10:58PM]

"Suddenly every copy of Lumines will not become impossible to find at any game store"
woah, confusion

[xxdesmus @ Jun 24th 2007 11:02PM]

lol...Wow, way to go me. You know what I meant.

It's late, and it's time for me to go to bed. :P

[Blake @ Jun 24th 2007 11:06PM]

Oh hell yes.

[darkstar @ Jun 24th 2007 11:27PM]

what about future firmwares from sony to disable this hack?
im very tempted!!!

[Tabascork @ Jun 24th 2007 11:35PM]

WHAT?! I just SMASHED my PSP yesterday!! I HATE YOU!!!

[Faisal @ Jun 24th 2007 11:38PM]

HAHA!!! SWWEEEETTT!!!! i already have Lumines!! NICE!!! now i can finally play some SNES games on my PSP =P

[f187 @ Jul 5th 2007 11:40PM]

faisal, i need ya help, where i can get this lumines umd?? im intend to downgrade my psp.
thx

[Uzi @ Jun 24th 2007 11:48PM]

guess i can sell away my copy of GTA now

[Marcus @ Jun 25th 2007 12:22AM]

I love Lumines too much to exploit it to this non sense,

the only PSP game I ever enjoyed playing

[Murc @ Jun 25th 2007 12:50AM]

it seems like the PSP and the 360 hacking are moving along at the same pace. lol

now what we need from both still.....is some USEFULL unsigned code.....not that "hello world" isn't amazing and all. lol

[Mr. Vage @ Jun 25th 2007 7:39AM]

The PSP has been running homebrew for a long time. This new exploit is for those who have a firmware that hasn't been hacked. Most likely, the first and only homebrew for this exploit will be a downgrader. Once a PSP is at 1.5, Dark_Alex's custom firmware, which combines the new firmwares with 1.5's ability to run homebrew, can be installed.

[Kevin Karan @ Jun 25th 2007 12:53AM]

Confirmed working

[mmendoza27 @ Jun 25th 2007 1:43AM]

Yeah, I just went to go buy a copy of Lumines (which is a great game by the way!) and got it for $12... Now I get to watch as everyone else buys a copy of eBay for $35-40. MUAHAHAHAHAHA!! Nah, I'm just kidding, I hope everyone can find their own copy. BRING ON THE HOMEBREW FTW!!!! I've been waiting to play Final Fantasy VII on my PSP!!

[Chris @ Jun 25th 2007 2:40AM]

I got lucky. I just bought a PSP a couple of days ago and it still had the 2.71 Firmware on it. I downgraded without having to have a specific game. I will probably go pick up a copy of Lumines anyways, too good of a game not to have.

[FrikinImpossible @ Jun 25th 2007 2:59AM]

Ubi could have knowingly put this loophole into their game, with hopes that future gamers would find and exploit it, sky rocketing sales. >;)

[Dean Murphy @ Jun 25th 2007 4:25AM]

damn, none of my local shops stock this game anymore
it'll have to be ebay then

[Rob @ Jun 25th 2007 6:32AM]

Once you escape the official sony firmware you should start using custom firmware. I am currently using 3.40-OE which is the official 3.40 firmware but modified to allow homebrew to be used as well as other settings to tweak CPU speed and allow plugins to be loaded in the background (such as the one that lets you stream video of the PSP's screen to a computer).
There is no reason to use the official firmware as the custom one has the same features and can run UMD's that require the official version.

[Victor (Mister A) @ Jun 25th 2007 10:20AM]

I had this game before and it got lost it was the first game that I bought as soon as I found out it was lost, great game-haven't bought the L2- but I love the fact that it will help with homebrew, finally!.... I have been upgrading firmware so it is a good sign.

[Andrew H. @ Jun 25th 2007 12:11PM]

NICE.. lumines happens to be the only UMD game i have.

[Mike @ Jun 25th 2007 8:09PM]

Articles like this remind me to be glad (erm, smug) I own a GP2X. Imagine a manufacturer which not only allows but supports and encourages homebrew! Good luck finding lumines y'all.

[PEO8742 @ Jun 25th 2007 8:12PM]

Just bought mine for $15 at the pawn shop. They had 3 copies!

[Tereasa @ Jun 25th 2007 10:19PM]

That's the first game I bought for my PSP way back when... Love it - and now it can give me some love back. $$$

[alf @ Jun 26th 2007 9:49AM]

Pick up a copy of Lumines?? What self-respecting PSP owner doesn't have a copy already?

[Jason @ Jun 27th 2007 8:17PM]

i cant upgrade to 3.50 all the eboot files i DL i get 3.40

[f187 @ Jul 5th 2007 11:43PM]

i need the Lumines umd to downgrade my firmwire!! ls smeone help me how to get the umds!!

[adams @ Jul 23rd 2007 12:23AM]

is firmware some way to port ROMs and play through the psp?

im sorry im a noob when it comes to hacking a psp...

[Paul Lai @ Oct 15th 2007 12:30AM]

I had a few recondition Sony 4GB Memory Stick for PSP or any other Sony product. Ask for US$65 (Shipping & handling included), a perfect gift for Xmas.

email to [e-mail] for detail.