Last week I borrowed a new game from one of my PSP buddies. I was really attracted by the title because I’m a big fan of Spider-Man. It was called Spider-Man: Friend or Foe. In this game, Spider-Man fights alongside his notorious enemies, such as Green Goblin, Venom, Sandman and Doc Ock, as they try to defeat an even greater threat.

I really liked the game intro and all the graphic stuff but I was really glad I didn’t buy this game. There’s no repeat factor. I was able to beat the game in like 6 hours or more. But I went through hell and all. Not that the game was hard but the game was very boring. I got sleepy fighting all the same enemies over and over. And also the bosses were weak. I really don’t recommend this game at all. But who am I to tell you what to do with your money. If you are a fan of the web-slinger, well you can invest on this one and make it a collectors item. Who knows, maybe in the future it’ll worth a million.

Oh about the gameplay, the controls are ok. The graphics sure look nice. One thing I don’t like about the game, why can’t  Spider-Man crawl on walls. And he has very few moves. I really didn’t want to finish the game but I had to. I had to finish what I started.

Game Rating:2.5/5

Many PSP owners are still wondering what homebrew for the PSP is. PSP Homebrew is not a game but applications created by skillful coders and hackers for the PSP. To make you understand it better, I made a short list of the top PSP homebrew applications that I often use. These are not arranged in any manner whatsoever.

1. Bookr 0.7.1- This is a PDF reader for the PSP. I found this application very useful. Copy your PDFs to anywhere on your memory stick then open it via Bookr and then BAM! You can read PDF files anywhere. This runs on all custom OE firmwares and all M33 firmwares that has 1.50 kernel installed. Place the app inside the GAME150 folder. Download it here.
2. IRShell 3.7 - This is one of the best homebrew apps ever for the PSP. Here’s what you can do with it - You can play your backed up games on your PC via USB connection, Output your PSP screen on the monitor of your computer and a whole lot more. Yes it’s compatible with 3.71 M33. Download it here.
3. PiMPStreamer - This application is a realtime video/audio streamer from your PC to your PSP. it can play almost any video format. It requires WiFi connection. It works on 3.52 M33 and all custom firmwares that has 1.50 kernel support. Get it here.
4. Wifi Sniffer - I use this handy application all the time especially when I’m looking for hotspots. It shows a list of local wifi access points. TheWiFi detection works real time so it is really handy. Get it here.
5. AFKIM - An instant messenger client. I use this when I want to chat with my friends online even when I’m lying down on bed. Requires WiFi connection and 1.50 kernel. Get it here.
6. PSP Comic - This is a very handy comic reader. If you love comics like I do, you gotta have this one. Download it.

These are just a few but the ones I listed are the ones I frequently use. If you’ve got any suggestions on more useful PSP homebrew applications you can leave a comment below.

Just a few days ago, Dark Alex released an update for 3.71 M33 custom firmware. The update fixed a few bugs. It also disables the VSH menu when on the onscreen keyboard. This update will let you toggle the on screen keyboard again. For the PSP Slim, a functionality to let the charge of battery when connecting a usb cable has been added. Let’s get it on with the guide.

Requirements:

• Fat or Slim PSP with 3.71 M33 custom firmware. If you don’t have a 3.71 M33 yet, here’s a guide for installing 3.71 M33.
• USB Cable
• Computer
• Make sure you have the kernel of GAME folder configured to 3.71. Shutdown your PSP then restart while pressing R then the recovery menu will appear. Go to Configuration>Game Folder Homebrew. Make it 3.71.

Instructions:

1. Download the update here.
2. Unzip the file anywhere on your computer. Connect your PSP to your computer then copy the contents of the UPDATE folder to ms0:/PSP/GAME/UPDATE
3. Go to XMB menu and then go to GAME>Memory Stick then run the Update
4. Wait for 5 seconds. Voila! You now have a 3.71 M33-2 PSP

After you have this installed, head on to the next guide on how to install update 3 for 3.71 M33. Let’s give thanks to Dark Alex for his hard work.

UPDATE: You can now skip this guide and go directly to the 3.71 M33-4 update. I wrote a guide on how to add the 1.50 Kernel Add-on for 3.71 M33. Please check it out if you need it.

Now I’m gonna teach you how to change the look of your PSP’s XMB theme in a few very easy steps even your grandma can do it. But first here are the requirements:

• A PSP with a firmware of 3.71 (Official) or 3.71 M33.
• You need themes. You can download them here.
• USB Cable

If you’ve met the requirements then it’s time for you to follow my simple instructions.

1. Extract the Zip file you’ve just downloaded anywhere on your computer.
2. Connect your PSP to your computer and then copy the THEME folder to ms0:/PSP/
3. Got to your XMB menu. Go to Settings > Theme Settings > Theme. You can now choose any theme you want. Press Apply and Accept.
4. Done. Congratulations on your new theme.

Here are some theme screenshots from my PSP.

Wipeout Theme

Original Theme

Choosing Themes. Cookie Theme Preview

Cookie. Yum!

Classy Pink for girls and a few boys.

Lemmings Theme

Pursuit Force Theme