Although the PS Vita has replaced the PSP, this handheld video game console remains popular with its extensive game library. Read the steps below to know how to play it on PSP for free.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Gaining Memory For More Games
Step 1. Get a memory stick
PSP games are stored on small discs called UMD (Universal Media Disc). The games you download are images from these discs called ISOs, so you will need a Memory Stick (MS) to save these games. The memory stick supported by the PSP is the PRO-DUO, but you can also use a Micro SD card with the PRO-DUO adapter. The PSP recognizes up to 32GB of memory. Make sure you get a stick with a large capacity so you can store more games.
Step 2. Format the PSP memory stick using the following steps
- Locate and remove the cover on the left side of the PSP and insert the MS face up.
- Press the "Home" button on the bottom left of the PSP (the one with the PlayStation logo).
- Use the cursor keys to go to "Settings" then "System Settings".
- Select the "Format Memory Stick" option.
- Confirm your action by selecting "Yes" in the menu that appears. The PSP device will format the memory stick (it only takes a few seconds).
Step 3. Find out what firmware (aka firmware) has been installed
Firmware is the operating system your PSP uses to store files and perform functions. To be able to play games (ISO) you have to "hack" the PSP, this process is explained below but first you have to know what firmware you have:
- Click "Home."
- Browse and select "Settings."
- Open the "System Settings" menu.
- Select the "Information System" option. The firmware version will be displayed on the screen.
Method 2 of 3: Playing Homebrew Games
Step 1. Learn about homebrew
Homebrew applications are programs (such as games and emulators for older game systems) written by independent programmers and usually distributed free of charge to anyone who wishes. The downside of running a homebrew program on your PSP is that it requires you to hack the PSP's firmware in order to run unlicensed programs.
Step 2. Recognize what you are getting into
Hacking PSP firmware is not illegal, but custom firmware sometimes doesn't run some paid games properly. Although the homebrew community is constantly improving program reliability and compatibility, the problem persists. Back up files and other data stored electronically to a second memory stick before you continue, just in case.
Step 3. Update your PSP firmware system to latest official
You also have official firmware or custom firmware. The latest official firmware for PSP is version 6.60. If you have a version below 6.60, it is highly recommended that you update it as new games may not work on older firmwares. Visit Sony's official website and download the latest firmware. A very detailed guide is available there to help you process the update. Once your system software has version 6.60, you can install custom firmware.
Step 4. Get custom firmware (CFW)
The best CFW for PSP is called "PRO", no matter what PSP model you have (1000/2000/3000/e1000 or Go!) they all work with the same PRO CFW. This is how to install it:
- Download 6.60 PRO-C fix3 CFW. There is a newer version called C2 but it has glitches that make PSN games unplayable so it is recommended to stick with PRO-C fix3.
- Enter USB mode. Navigate to the PSP’s “Settings” menu and select “USB mode.” Connect your PSP to your computer with a USB cable and open your computer. Make sure your empty memory card is still in the PSP. Navigate to the root file of the memory card.
- Copy the firmware. This firmware comes with 3 folders (PRO Update, CPL Flasher and Fast recover), Copy these three folders in "PSP\GAME\" folder on memory stick.
- Leave USB mode. Disconnect the PSP from the computer's USB mode and exit by selecting the appropriate option. You can delete files on your computer if you want.
Step 5. Install custom firmware
Enter the PSP menu screen and select the “Game/Memory Stick” option. From there, select the “PRO Update” icon. Press X to launch firmware.
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Stamp firmware. After installing the homebrew firmware, you'll need to permanently stamp it or know how to restore it, so you can use it to play homebrew games. The method to be used depends on the model number of the PSP.
- For 1000 and 2000 series models, navigate to the “Game/Memory Stick” menu and select the “CIPL Flasher” icon. Press X after running to make your firmware update permanent.
- For 3000 and G series models, a security guard will prevent you from permanently stamping the firmware. However, you can run the PSP Fast Recovery utility every time you start your PSP to restore the custom firmware to the section.
Step 6. Get a homebrew game
Now that everything is running smoothly, search the internet for “PSP homebrew games” for a plethora of search results. Many of these games are clone versions of older games for other systems, but there are also some specially designed games.
Method 3 of 3: Hijacking Commercial Games
Step 1. Recognize what you are getting into
Video game piracy is usually not as violated as music or movie piracy, but this is not a guarantee. Your risk is pretty low, but the only way to avoid legal trouble for sure is to buy official PSP games. There is a risk if you hijack it.
In the case of smaller releases, you may also annoy the game developer and/or game publisher. Think twice before pirating a regular or original game if you still want the developers to release the latest version of the game
Step 2. Download PSP games
There are two basic ways to find PSP game files and download them to your computer.
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Search the torrent for the game's file. You can learn how to search for torrents elsewhere on this site, but in short you'll need a program to run the torrents, the torrent files of the games you want, and time for the program to collect copies of the games from other users. You don't have to pay for this torrent or program.
Use a torrent collector to search multiple torrent file libraries at once. Choose the file that has the most positive reviews, to make sure that you do download the file you want
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Download the game directly. There are a number of sites on the internet that offer free PSP game downloads. Keep clicking until you find a download link (usually on a file hosting service like uploaded.net or mega.co.nz), then click to activate it.
In general, the correct file extension for PSP game files is.iso. Make sure that the file you download is an ISO file, or that it has at least one.iso file for ZIP or RAR. Do not run or download files with the EXE extension
Step 3. Transfer games from computer to PSP
Enter USB mode (as described above) and connect your PSP to your computer. Copy the game files from the computer to the PSP memory stick folder to load them into the system.
Step 4. Play
Play a new game by going to the "Games" menu and selecting the game you want to play from the memory card.
