ARK PSP

ARK
General
Author	Coldbird, hrimfaxi, Neur0n
Type	Custom Firmwares
Version	4.20.69
License	Mixed
Last Updated	2024/04/20
Links
Download
Website
Source

The new, updated, and modern Custom Firmware for the PSP and PS Vita's ePSP - ARK CFW. Designed with simplicity and packed with exclusive features, ARK CFW revitalizes the PSP experience. As the successor to PRO and ME, ARK now stands as the most comprehensive CFW for the PSP, combining all the functionalities of traditional CFW with innovative, one-of-a-kind features that cannot be found elsewhere.

ARK-4 README.md.

Features

• Core system heavily updated from traditional CFW with new exclusive features.
• Inferno 2 Driver compatible with all formats (ISO, CSO, ZSO, JSO, CSOv2 and DAX).
• Popcorn controller for custom PS1 games. Compatible with PopsLoader V3 and V4i.
• Built-in No-DRM engine Stargate, fixes many anti-CFW games. Compatible with npdrm_free by qwikrazor87.
• Plugin support for PSP games, PS1 games and VSH (XMB), including the ability to enable and disable plugins per-game.
• Region Free playback of UMD Video on all PSP models. Change the region of your UMD drive on-the-fly.
• Compatible with all PSP models on firmwares 6.60 and 6.61.
• Compatible with all PS Vita models on firmware 2.10 up to 3.74, either official firmware or via Adrenaline.
• Compatible with 6.60 Testing Tool Firmware and Testkit Units.
• Compatible with 6.60 Development Tool Firmware and Devkit Units.
• Can be fully installed and booted on memory stick in compatible models via Time Machine.
• Can be used to unbrick any PSP using Despertar del Cementerio in combination with a Pandora or Baryon Sweeper.
• Minimalistic: only 6 files installed on PSP flash, CFW extensions are installed on memory stick.
• Resistant to soft-bricks, easy to recover from bad configurations with a new and improved Recovery app.
• Custom game launcher with built-in game categories, file browser, FTP server and client, modernized look and more.
• Fully configurable via the XMB.
• Compatible with PRO Online and Xlink Kai.
• Compatible with Legacy Homebrew via eLoader and Leda. Compatible with the KXploit format.
• Compatible with cIPL and Infinity 2 bootloaders for permanent CFW.

Screenshots

Media

ARK-4 CFW For PSP & PS Vita Guide 2023 (4.20.59) - (Robles Junior)

How to Install ARK CFW on a PSP over WiFi (no computer required!) (lusidgames)

New CFW for PSP , the ARK-4 ! (PSP Mav)

PSP tutorial : How to install plugins on ARK-4 cfw (PSP Mav)

Changelog

• ARK-1: original port/rewrite of PRO CFW for the PS Vita. Codenamed PROVITA. Source code can be found here: https://github.com/PSP-Archive/ARK-1-PROVita-
• ARK-2: dynamic patching allows it to work with most of PS Vita firmwares. Source code can be found here: https://github.com/PSP-Archive/ARK-2
• ARK-3: device-specific runtime allows ARK to run in multiple scenarios (ePSP and ePSX). Source code can be found here: https://github.com/PSP-Archive/ARK-3
• ARK-4: ported to the original PSP. Huge amounts of improvements and fixes over previous versions.

Note: this is a simplified changelog, for a full version you can visit here: https://github.com/PSP-Archive/ARK-4/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md

Credits

• Team PRO (the original developers of ARK): Coldbird, hrimfaxi (aka. Liquid Snake) and Neur0n.
• The Ancient Gods of the PSP Scene: mathieulth, davee, Proxima, zecoxao, among other tinkerers.
• qwikrazor87 for being such a genius and all his hard work with kernel exploits and ARK-2.
• TheFl0w (aka. Total_Noob) for his advancements and research in CFW development and overall contributions to the scene.
• meetpatty for his excellent work in fixing bugs and adding important features like cIPL and DevKit support as well as porting Time Machine and Despertar del Cementerio.
• Codestation for his incredible work improving CSO speeds and creating the ZSO format.
• Krazynez for his amazing work on Advanced VSH Menu and other bugfixes and features.
• pyroesp for his excellent work improving VSH Menu and refactoring code.
• TheSubPlayer for all the wonderful themes made for the custom launcher.
• UnkownBrackets (maxcso) for his help understanding the DAX format and Inferno speed hacks as well as creating the CSOv2 format.
• Zer01ne, noname120, astart and other devs that have blessed me with their knowledge and wisdom.
• Zecoxao for his great work creating dumpers that would allow us to archive rare firmwares.
• balika for his research in porting M33 to modern firmware that has helped improve compatiblity in ARK.
• hrydgard for the PMF player as well as being an inspiration for the custom launcher.
• Every other giant shoulder I am standing on.

Warnings

• ARK comes with no warranty whatsoever. It was designed to be noob-proof, however it is possible for the universe to create an even greater noob capable of using ARK to destroy the Earth (or his PSP). I cannot be held responsible for this.
• ARK may cause ejectile malfunction if your hard drive is not hard enough.
• If this software malfunctions, you can turn it off and on again.

External links

• GitHub - https://github.com/PSP-Archive/ARK-4