Here’s a neat site I found today via 4chan/tv/: TV Links. It’s kind of like YouTube, but for whole TV shows. Has a simple “master directory” layout.

I decided I’d been neglecting my PSP (what the recent DS-obssession), so yesterday I started researching new games for my first seventh generation handheld. A lot’s come out since I last looked (which was when LocoRoco came out). I finally settled on Dungeon Maker; it sounded pretty cool and was just released on the 19th. And the ISO download was only like 66 megs, so it seemed like the perfect candidate.

I went to load it up with Devhook 0.46, but it didn’t work. So I went through the lengthy process of upgrading to Devhook 0.51, only to find that didn’t work either. Apparently, as of this writing, Devhook only supports firmware emulation for 3.11 and Dungeon Maker requires 3.40.

One of the annoying things about dealing with this modchip/emulation type stuff is that you have to spend so much time hunting down reliable, readable instructions and files. Well, you don’t have to — but it really reduces your chances of bricking your system.

Anyway, after a lot of googling, I figured out all I needed was Dark Alex’s 3.40 open edition rev. A custom firmware. Because I was used to Devhook and other separate loaders, I thought I needed another app to actually use the 3.40 OE-A firmware. Not so! Once you install it, your UMD images (in the root/ISO folder) show up right in the Game > Memory Stick menu. This is such a huge improvement over Devhook it’s unbelievable. BTW, the best instructions I found for the 3.40 OE-A install were these: Jak_Master’s PSP Custom Firmware Guide.

Anyway, Dungeon Maker is awesome. It’s kind of like Dungeon Keeper/Sim City-meets-Diablo, except that you’re adventuring in the complex as you build it. And the architect-stuff, while freeform and unrestricted, works best when you observe certain rules, like not putting rooms within 4 blocks of the entrance, or directly connected to T-split corridors. The fighting part of the game is relatively mindless up until the first boss battle. But it breaks up the layout/design sub-game well and keeps your interest with item drops and optional easter-egg-like weapon combos. Here are some pics I took: One of the firmware installation apps, the DM town screen, and my current 1st floor dungeon (which I plan to rebuild):

I think I’ll try Metal Slug Anthology next, though I’m sure Dungeon Maker will occupy me for quite a while. The problem with PSP games is that the majority of them seem to be fighting games or first-person shooters — genres that I don’t care for. I will never understand how people can tolerate playing FPSes without a mouse. You know what would be neat? An eighth generation portable you could hold in your left hand and control with a wireless mouse. Eh, probably too clumsy though; no one would want a handheld that you needed a table for. Maybe they could swap the mouse for, like, a trackball thing you could strap onto your hand. Like a Chordite device with a ball or TrackPoint nub under the thumb.

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