ElSemi has released an update to his excellent CPS-3 arcade system emulator. Preview 3 brings savestate support as well as improved emulation accuracy. ElSemi notes that the emulation is almost complete and now only shadow and blending effects are missing.
Download CPS-3 Emulator Preview 3
CPS3 Emulator Preview 3 Test Version [Nebula]
Mathieulh has confirmed that development on 3.50 OE has been ceased as a result of the recently released PSP Firmware 3.51. Consequently, Dark_AleX has shifted focus to a new version of his 3.x custom firmware series - 3.51 OE.
Don’t worry - this will not push back the update’s release any further, as 3.51 is nearly identical to 3.50, aside from security upgrades that patched up the Lumines exploit. Be patient, folks!
Developer weltall has released an update to his popular cheat hacking application for PSP. Using CWCheat you can apply raw-relative cheat codes either in UMD games or in PSone games for the PSP. CWCheat already has a huge database of pre-made cheat codes, but you also can easily search for your own codes and edit them through an intuitive in-game menu.
What’s new in version 0.1.8? An additional memory editor that can show the RAM in HEX or ASCII modes, support for making cheats from a selected ram position in the memory editor, improved cheat searching routines, and various bug fixes.
Download CWCheat 0.1.8 / Changelog
CWCheat Universal Cheat Device System [Weltall]
Hudson has revealed a new set of TurboGrafx-16 releases scheduled to hit the Wii Virtual Console later next month. Due out this coming Monday is the vertical side-scrolling shooter Dragon Spirit. For the remainder of July, we have Air Zonk, Silent Debuggers, Devil’s Crush, and Drop Off to look forward to.
Not a shabby lineup at all. Especially with Air Zonk, a highly-rated spin-off of the original Bonk series, and the hellishly addictive pinball game Devil’s Crush heading our way.
Virtual Console Release List [Hudson]
Beautiful Katamari is starting to become quite the controversial title. Initially the game was announced for a release on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Speculation erupted when respected game journalist N’Gai Croal revealed that the game would be an Xbox 360 exclusive, likely to be announced at E3 2007. It was just a rumor though, nothing official.
Now, sources close to Namco Bandai have told IGN that the PlayStation 3 version of Beautiful Katamari has been quietly canceled. Apparently, Namco started development on the Xbox 360 and suddenly ran into development issues with the PS3 port.
So what has come of the PS3 version that was being worked on? It’s been totally scrapped, and Namco is working on a Wii version, IGN claims.
Can’t say I’ll be surprised if this is indeed true. Katamari is a perfect fit for Wii.
Duo Archaemic & Kip have released a new version of PSPComic, a nifty application that allows you to seamlessly view all your favorite comics in CBZ and CBR format. Most notably, version 0.9.8 adds support for alpha-transparent images in PNG format, a precaching option for even faster image display, and a full view mode along with many other minor changes.
Update: Beta 2 has been released. It’s a minor update with improved precaching as well as a couple other bug fixes.
Download PSPComic v0.9.8 Beta 2 / Changelog
PSPComic v0.9.8: RELEASE [Archaemic's Blog]
Here it is. First gameplay footage of Konami’s Contra 4, the shooter reborn on Nintendo DS. Looks impressive, especially the animation quality. All that’s missing is some rockin’ Contra tunes.
SEGA just released the first images of its first-person action thriller Condemned 2: Bloodshot. The screens are not very revealing to say the least, but they do give us an idea of what the game atmosphere will be like - dark, gritty, and noir-ish.
Condemned 2: Bloodshot is due out early 2008 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
Sony has released a downloadable demo of its new Ape Escape game for the PSP, Ape Escape: Saru Saru. Be warned, the demo is in Japanese, but thankfully not much reading is required.
The gameplay in Ape Escape: Saru Saru is a bit different than what we have experienced in previous Ape Escape titles. There are various monkeys on the island, and players can use a special helmet to jump onto a monkeys head and literally take control of him. Once in control of a monkey, the game reverts back to its platforming roots.
Install instructions:
1. Download the demo.
2. Save the file to X:/PSP/GAME/NPJG90004 (X being your memory stick drive)
Irem Software has released a new batch of sweet looking R-Type Tactics screenshots for the PSP. R-Type Tactics sets to take the legendary shoot ‘em up series in a new direction, with turn-based tactical gameplay. Additionally, the game will feature an Ad-hoc based battle mode, supporting multiple players.
