Hi everyone! Since apparently I didn't have enough problems in my life, I decided to take on one of the hardest ports I could think of: Resident Evil 4 on the PSP. Yeah... What could possibly go wrong? 😅

I’m serious about it, and I’ll be working on this from now on. It’s a static-recompilation port: the PS2 game code is translated ahead of time into native PSP code. What’s still emulated is the PS2’s graphics chip, whose output is converted into draw commands for the PSP’s own graphics chip. Replacing that with a dedicated renderer is on the roadmap.

It's a work in progress and it is not playable at full speed yet (right now Leon moves like a Ganado already got him). I'm sharing it now because there's progress worth showing, and I want to document the journey.

In the interest of transparency: this project is partly AI-assisted. I use Claude to help write and debug code.

What works

• The game boots and reaches its main loop in PPSSPP. It already starts on a real PSP-3010, and I'm tuning memory so it fits there.
• Logos, title screen and menus drawn on the PSP's GE.
• The game's movies converted to the PSP's native video format (PMF), skippable with X or START.
• Streamed voices and audio.
• New game: prologue and the first forest area in 3D.

Tech

• Base: the PS2 version (NTSC-U, SLUS-21134 v1.01), statically recompiled with SandstoneDev's PS2RC. The Emotion Engine's MIPS code is translated to C and compiled for the PSP.
• Game modules: RE4 loads 207 code modules (SN Systems DLLs) from the disc. They're translated like the main executable, and the PSP loads and evicts them from the Memory Stick as needed.
• Graphics: a custom back end that turns what the game sends to the PS2's GS into display lists for the PSP's GE.
• 3D: the VU1 microprograms (the vector unit that transforms models on the PS2) are translated to native code that runs on the PSP's VFPU.
• Toolchain: pspdev (psp-gcc, PSPSDK) with CMake and automated builds.

Optimizations so far

Measured in PPSSPP in the opening forest. A "cycle" is one iteration of the game loop; 30 fps needs about 33 ms.

Every change is checked against an interpreter: millions of VU1 program runs produce identical results.

What's missing, honestly

• 3D currently runs at about 4-5 fps in the forest; the goal is 30 (or at least a steady 20). That's roughly 6x to go.
• Most of the time is spent emulating the PS2's graphics chip, not in game code (under 5%).
• Memory is very tight: the game needs the PS2's full 32 MB, which leaves little headroom on the PSP.
• Music and menu sounds are missing, and the background depth-of-field blur is disabled for now. (it might stay that way)

Roadmap

I'm building the port in parts:

1. Part 1: from the start to the end of Chapter 1.
   • Make the opening forest playable, up to the first enemy's house.
   • Draw 3D models directly with the PSP's GE instead of emulating the PS2's GS.
   • Render every other frame while game logic runs at full speed, and simplify the most expensive full-screen effects.
   • Music, sound effects and menu sounds.
   • Polish that part as much as possible.
2. Public Part 1 demo running on real hardware, together with a demo release.
3. Later chapters, building on what Part 1 teaches.

More:

Expected requirements: a 64 MB PSP (2000, 3000 or Go). The PSP-1000 doesn't have enough memory.

No game data will be distributed: each player will build their own copy from their own RE4 PS2 disc (NTSC-U, SLUS-21134).

Credits: based on PS2RC by SandstoneDev (https://github.com/SandstoneDev/PS2RC, community: https://discord.gg/wV8x46ZTDu). Thanks also to the pspdev and PPSSPP folks.

Advice from anyone experienced with the GE or the VFPU is very welcome, and so is moral support, because this port is going to need it. I'll keep posting updates!

Got this many games, but still have 35gb left to use

By the way, this account is from the same guy who asked what you all think about the PSP Go, I deleted the other one because the name was ugly

Is there a way to change the game order to the recent added instead of Alphabetica?

Recently i was looking at pinterest and i saw this picture of ultimate spider man on the psp, i searched up if this was a port or a hack rom but i didn’t find anything about it, i comented in the post asking the creator if this was a photo or a real game but he didn’t respond me, is someone can help me with this i will appreciate because playing this game on a psp would be really good

Anyone got me beat?

Hey guys,

I know you will appreciate this more than my wife haha. Pulled this out at my parents place after a very long time.

Firmware is 1.5. Still looks like new as I didn't play it alot when I purchased it. It has devhook and dax ziso loader on it.

Had to buy battery and charger from Amazon to fire it up.

So, last week my homie found his psp 3000 in his basement and instantly texted me if i want it, I bought it with zero hesitation for a really really good price. (So good i dont mention it, I don't wanna make you jealous xD)

I instantly modded it and Since than im playing several hours every day, I really love it.

I love it so much, that I decided to finally fix my PS Vita 1000, it sadly needs a new Motherboard due to liquid damage... so I ordered one from AliExpress, it should arrive next week (its broken since like 10 years... i hope everything works out and that the new motherboard will finally fix my issue, i already switched everything besides the motherboard, so it should, still wish me luck)

So, since the Ps Vita has backwards Compatibility, tell me your most loved coop games so i can play them together with my homie who sold me the psp.

I already have some of the popular ones on my radar, like Monster Hunter, Tekken or Dragonball

So please tell me some more (unknown) bangers, or even some hombrew games/ports

Thanks ^^

trying to make a Cuphead on psp, it works fine in emulator and PSP 3000. Sprites for later, only hitboxes are shown. Don't expect too much, it's just a Demake.

hey everyone! been working on a native port of sonic mania for the psp and it's finally playable.

it runs on real hardware with cfw, on any psp with 64mb of ram: the psp-2000, psp-3000, go and street. i've only tested it on a psp-3000 so far, so if you try it on a go or a street let me know how it goes. regular stages run at 60 fps, the graphics go through the psp's gpu and the music is decoded by the media engine.

no game files included, you convert your own copy of sonic mania (steam). everything you need is here:

https://github.com/ghurone/Sonic-Mania-PSP

feedback and bug reports are super welcome :)

Subway Surfers running on the actual console.

I’d like to thank the user K0MA_dll for helping me with the testing on the console.

I thought it would be so cool if there was a game that turned Returnal into a grid-based Superhot-like experience with a bit of Into the Breach mixed in there. What if we added some Elden Ring-like leveling and upgrade mechanics while we're at it? I've got a pretty solid playable demo if you all felt like checking it out, maybe an hour of gameplay in it with a short guided tutorial and access to the early leveling/upgrade mechanics if you choose to utilize it. I would greatly appreciate any feedback, negative or positive honestly. I would love to make this into a game that's accessible and appealing to many. ISO file is available under the downloads:

https://solmare.itch.io/ralaephemera

UPDATE: I fixed the PSP uploads, I previously uploaded the wrong version!

Been receiving crazy amount of psps from the Philippines lately

I've hacked this twice. First with Pro-C then recently with Ark-5. It's travelled to many countries with me and I've ALWAYS put it in a case when its not in use which I'd say has contributed to its long life. Amazing lil' machine!

Now after 18 years, I'm still tinkering them.

Love these two consoles, happy that they both have Laminated Screen mods now.

I have a psp 3006 and I replaced the analog stick and took the psp apart now when I put it back together it won't turn back on and idk what to do! Please help.

I've successfully developed PS2C, a program that recompiles the PS2 version of GTA: San Andreas to run on the PSP!

Project: https://github.com/SandstoneDev/PS2RC

This is a major milestone for PSP homebrew development and demonstrates that PS2 games can be brought to the PSP through recompilation.

Currently, PS2C is specifically designed for GTA: San Andreas. However, I've also released two AI skills that can help developers create their own game-specific recompilers and explore porting other PS2 games to the PSP.

Interestingly, people have already started working on a Silent Hill 2 port for PSP using this approach!

1. Universal PS2 Recompiler - AI Skill

https://github.com/SandstoneDev/universal-ps2-recompiler

This is not a recompiler tool itself. It's an AI skill containing the knowledge needed to develop your own PS2 game recompiler based on PS2RC.

You can use it with AI coding agents such as Claude Code to help create game-specific recompilers, using PS2RC as the foundation.

You're welcome to fork the PS2RC repository for your own projects. Please credit me as the original author of PS2RC and preserve the appropriate original attribution.

2. PSP Developer - AI Skill

https://github.com/SandstoneDev/psp-developer

This skill is based on my experience developing PSP ports. It provides AI agents with technical knowledge about PSP development, helping with game porting, existing port projects, and homebrew application development.

How do these skills work together?

The idea is simple: use the Universal PS2 Recompiler skill to help develop a recompiler for a specific PS2 game, and the PSP Developer skill to assist with PSP-specific development challenges.

Together, they provide AI agents with the knowledge needed to help developers explore projects that would otherwise require extensive research into PS2 architecture, recompilation, and PSP hardware.

The goal is to make PSP development more accessible and encourage the community to experiment with new ports and homebrew projects.

Both skills are available on GitHub. Feel free to try them, fork the projects where appropriate, and share your progress with the community!

I'd love to see what other PS2 games the community can get running on the PSP.

Note: These AI skills provide technical knowledge and development assistance. They do not automatically produce a finished port, and each game will require its own implementation and testing.

Hi. A couples of days ago I bought a PSP 1000 and the seller said it was from Japan. It's my first PSP and I don't know if it's a real Japanese model. Any idea how to figure it out?

Girlfriend purchased me a PSP for my birthday. I never owned this console growing up as I always had a DS. I’ve looked into modding it and should have everything to do it tonight.

Any recommendations on games? I’ve never play any PS exclusive franchises as I’ve always had an Xbox. Any recommendations as far as emulation goes? Thanks any advice is welcome and appreciated!

My PSP now boots up and crashes. The result shown is with no Battery or memory card inserted. The PSP is running ARK-4. When a memory card is inserted it becomes incredibly hot. This crash happened after running a Gran turismo psp career patched game. Please help, I love my psp.

I recently got bit by the nostalgia bug, and started thinking about when I used to own a PSP many years ago. I recently started looking on eBay and I want to buy a pearl white PSP 3000.

Every time I go on eBay a lot of the sellers that I have seen don’t accept returns or the pictures that they take are not the actual product that you will receive. The sellers claim that the pictures will be in similar condition but my biggest problem with this is that I don’t want to spend up to $200 and receive something that is nowhere close to what is being advertised or the item ends up being re-shelled.

So, I came here today on Reddit to see if I can pick any of your amazing brains as to who I should go to to purchase a pearl white PSP 3000 in great condition.

My definition of “great” condition would be a PSP that doesn’t any noticeable scratches and the white actually looks white with its pearliness and doesn’t have any yellowing, that also applies for the screen. I would love to have the accessories that originally came with it like the bag and charger and box however that is not a dealbreaker for me as long as I can find myself a nice clean Pearl White PSP 3000 with a functioning UMD that would make me a happy sailor.

Thank you in advance for reading this. If this is not allowed, please do remove my post.

TLDR : who on eBay sells a clean pearl white PSP 3000 with a functioning UMD that is not re-shelled

Haven't played on my PSP for a long time. I noticed that the UMD disk is making a sound. Please help fix the issue?