PSP/PS Vita Exploit Table

< PSP

This table was based on the great exploit tables here, especially the work of The Zett.

Note that all firmwares under the Maximum Supported Firmware are supported by the exploit.

Note: A PS3 is required to purchase and install PSP games to the PS Vita.

Also, the games themselves will never be patched, only the Official Firmware will be. Thus, as long as the PSP game wasn't removed from the PSN network, and you are on a supported firmware; you can still use a PS3 to buy them and then transfer them to your Vita.

Terminology edit

  • FW 3.18/3.20 - The Golden Firmware version for the PS Vita. This version is capable of eCFW, PSX emulation, and contains a handy Package Manager to install non-DRM apps/demos without a PS3. It also supports the Native Rejuvenate exploit. It is quite valuable, so don't update past it, and snap up any you see in Gamestop. Edit: 3.60 is now considered the golden firmware, look at /r/vitahacks on reddit for more details. 3.60 can do what 3.18/3.20 does and more
  • Sony PSP - A popular Sony handheld game console released in 2004, and had a thriving homebrew dev scene that was famed for it's diverse array of emulators. The PS Vita contains a PSP emulator, which must be exploited to run homebrew.
  • eCFW - Full-blown Custom Firmware for the PSP that allows you to run homebrew and play PSP ISOs (PSP game images). eCFW exploits are preferred.
  • PSX - The Sony PlayStation One, a popular video game system in the 1990s. The PS Vita contains the absolute best handheld emulator for this game console, bundled with a purchase of a first party PSX game on PSN.
    • Currently, only FW 3.18 and 3.20 allows you to load any PSX game into the emulator, as opposed to the small library of PSX games on PSN.
  • VHBL - Half-Byte Homebrew Loader for Vita. This only allows you to run homebrew, with slightly limited compatibility (e.g. user-mode only). No ISOs.
    • Not to be confused with the upcoming VHL, the Vita Homebrew Loader for the Native Rejuvenate exploit.

3.50 and Below (eCFW) edit

eCFW PSP Emulator exploits, for 3.50 and below. Not for 3.51.

Exploit Game Available Regions Maximum Supported Firmware Hack Category Currently at PSN? Exploit Developers Other Info
World of Pool EU, AU 3.50 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87
Ape Escape: On the Loose US ONLY 3.50 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87
Pool Hall Pro US, SA 3.50 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 Pool Hall Pro in North America
Toukiden: Kiwami Demo JP ONLY 3.51 and below VHBL NO 173210

There's a 3.51 exploit listed in the table, but it is no longer possible to download this game demo, let alone outside of Japan.

3.36 and Below (eCFW) - The Bubble Exploit edit

Qwikrazor and other PS Vita hackers discovered a tantilizing exploit that created PS Vita bubbles on your homescreen that launch PSP Firmware. This is a major milestone in Vita homebrew.

Exploit Game Available Regions Maximum Supported Firmware Hack Category Currently at PSN? Exploit Developers Other Info
Patapon 2 EU, AU, US, JP 3.36 and below Bubbles YES qwikrazor87
Numblast EU, AU, US, JP, AS 3.36 and below eCFW/Bubbles YES qwikrazor87 Qruton in Japan
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Extend JP ONLY 3.36 and below eCFW/Bubbles YES 173210
Arcade Darts EU, US 3.36 and below Bubbles YES qwikrazor87 US-Version has to be transfered via PS3!
Hot Brain US ONLY 3.36 and below eCFW/Bubbles YES qwikrazor87

3.35 (VHBL) edit

Notice: If you are running 3.18 or 3.20, do not update to 3.30/3.35. You will lose eCFW support.

If you found yourself on firmware 3.30, not to worry, a few developers managed to run VHBL using the following games. Note that VHBL cannot run PSP ISO game backups.

These exploits were immediately patched by Sony in FW 3.35.

Exploit Game Available Regions Maximum Supported Firmware Hack Category Currently at PSN? Exploit Developers Other Info
Go! Sudoku EU, AU 3.30 and below eCFW YES Dumpster & qwikrazor87 Patched in 3.35.
Z.H.P. Zettai Hero Project EU, US, JP, AS 3.30 and below eCFW NO KanadeEngel & skyleN Patched in 3.35.

September Exploit Swarm edit

These zero-day exploits were leaked en masse during an internal argument between PS Vita devs.

This means that FW 3.18 is the Ultimate Firmware for the near future. PS Vitas with this firmware are valuable and can fetch a high price, so don't update. It has full PSP eCFW support, a PSX emulator that can play any game, and a hidden Package Manager for non-DRM apps and demos (especially PSM DevAssistant for Unity, needed for the Native hack).

3.18 / 3.20 (eCFW + PSX) edit

If you have a PS Vita with 3.18 (or a PS TV with 3.20), you can use these games to install TN-V custom firmware on your Vita, allowing you to play PSP ISO game backups in addition to typical firmware.

These games were patched on 3.30, which cannot run TN-V.

  1. Choose a PSP game from the table below, and purchase it from PSN.
    • If you want to save space and save money, Talkman Travel: Tokyo is a great choice, since it costs only $3 and is 18MB.
    • Otherwise, Patapon 2 is recommended, since it's a great game and the download code costs only $4.
  2. You must use a PS3 (with the OpenCMA trick) to transfer the PSP game to the PS Vita.
  3. Download an exploit installer for your PSP game
  4. Follow these instructions to install the exploit.
Exploit Game Available Regions Maximum Supported Firmware Hack Category Currently at PSN? Exploit Developers Other Info
Talkman Travel: Tokyo EU, US, + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 Only $3, and 18MB in size.
Patapon 2 EU, AU, US, JP 3.18 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 A download code costs only $4 on Amazon.
Patapon 1 EU, AU, US, JP 3.18 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 ---
Gladiator Begins EU, US, JP 3.18 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 ---
Space Invaders Extreme EU, AU 3.18 and below eCFW YES Wistine & qwikrazor87 Good game for the EU Store
Mystylist JP ONLY 3.18 and below eCFW YES 173210 & qwikrazor87 ---
Skate Park City EU, AU, AS 3.18 and below eCFW YES freakler & qwikrazor87 AS version has to be bought via PC!
Arcade Darts EU, US 3.18 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 USVersion has to be transfered via PS3
Armored Core 3 Portable US + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES Conjo & qwikrazor87 ---
Armored Core Silent Line Portable US + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 ---
Ben 10: Protector of Earth US + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 ---
Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days EU, JP 3.18 and below eCFW YES fate6, Kankertje & qwikrazor87 ---
Fight Night Round 3 US + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES sockse & qwikrazor87 ---
Field Commander US + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES sockse & qwikrazor87 ---
Go! Sudoku EU, AU 3.18 and below eCFW YES Dumpster & qwikrazor87 ---
God of War: Ghost of Sparta US + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES sockse & qwikrazor87 ---
KaZook EU + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 ---
Kingdom of Paradise US + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES vonjack ---
International Athletics EU + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 ---
Mawaskes Puzzle EU + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 ---
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Impact US + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES fazo786 & qwikrazor ---
Real Madrid: The Game EU + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES YANOX & qwikrazor87 ---
Sid Meier's Pirates EU + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES freakler & qwikrazor87 ---
Z.H.P. Zettai Hero Project EU, US, JP, AS 3.30 and below eCFW NO KanadeEngel & skyleN Patched in 3.35.

3.18 PS1 Loader Exploits edit

These exploits allow your PS Vita to play any PS1 game you choose, at full speed, and upscaled. It's the best way to play Final Fantasy 7.

Exploit Game Available Regions Maximum Supported Firmware Hack Category Currently at PSN? Exploit Developers Other Info
Tekken 2 EU, US, 3.18 and below PS1 loader YES qwikrazor87 & acid_snake ---
Sports Superbike 2/XS Moto EU, US 3.18 and below PS1 loader YES qwikrazor87 & acid_snake Not available in Germany

PSP Demo Games edit

The PSP Demo games only worked during the 2 days of PSN restructuring that Sony underwent after the 3.18 exploit swarm. It is no longer possible to install them on any firmware version.

Exploit Game Available Regions Maximum Supported Firmware Hack Category Currently at PSN? Exploit Developers Other Info
Patapon 2 Demo US + ??? 3.18 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 Demos can no longer be installed.
Gladiator Begins Demo EU, US, JP 3.18 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 Demos can no longer be installed.

1.61-3.15 Exploits edit

These exploits are for firmwares lower than 3.15. For the most part, the games themselves have never been patched (Sony patches the firmware instead).

So don't worry if you've missed the exploit window; as long as you have a compatible firmware and can buy the game from the PSN Store, the exploits will still work.

Exploit Game Available Regions Maximum Supported Firmware Hack Category Currently at PSN? Exploit Developers Other Info
Everybody's Tennis EU, US, JP, AS 1.61 and below eCFW YES Teck4 Support dropped
Motorstorm Arctic Edge EU, JP, AS 1.61 and below eCFW YES Teck4 and yosh Motorstorm Raging ice in Japan
Super Collapse 3 EU, US 1.67 and below eCFW YES TheCobra ---
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite EU, US 1.80 and below eCFW YES Neuron ---
Monster Hunter Freedom 2 EU ONLY 1.80 and below eCFW YES NeurOn ---
Monster Hunter Portable 2ndG JP ONLY 1.80 and below eCFW YES Neuron ---
Monster Hunter Portable 3rd ONLY JP ONLY 1.80 and below eCFW YES NeurOn ---
Urbanix EU, US, JP 1.81 and below eCFW YES xerpi There is a 2nd exploit for firmware less than/equal to 2.61
Mad Blocker Alpha EU, US 1.81 and below eCFW YES frostegater USVersion is not transferable via PS3
Gravity Crash Portable EU, US, JP, AS 1.81 and below eCFW YES Teck4 ---
UNO EU, US, JP 2.02 and below eCFW YES frostegater & Zer01ne ---
Apache Overkill EU, US 2.06 and below eCFW YES Major Tom ---
Gamocracy One: Legend of Robot EU, US 2.12 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 USVersion is not transferable via PS3
Arcade Darts EU, US 2.60 and below eCFW YES frostegater & acid_snake US version has to be transfered via PS3
Arcade Pool & Snooker EU, US 2.60 and below eCFW YES frostegater, qwikrazor87 & acid_snake USVersion is not transferable via PS3
Arcade Airhockey & Bowling EU, US 2.60 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor& acid snake US version is not transferable via PS3
World of Pool EU, US 2.60 and below eCFW YES acid_snake Pool Hall Pro in North America
Pipe Madness EU, US 2.61 and below eCFW YES frostegater US version is not transferable via PS3
Fieldrunners EU, US 2.61 and below eCFW YES frostegater USVersion is not transferable via PS3
Half Minute Hero EU, US, JP 2.61 and below eCFW YES frostegater & yosh (wth) ---
Urbanix EU, US, JP 2.61 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 A second exploit for the Urbanix game
Jewel Keepers: Easter Island EU, US 2.61 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 Juwelenwächter: Osterinsel in Germany
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyu 2012 Ketteiban JP ONLY 2.61 and below eCFW NO 173210 Game wont return to the PSN Store
King of Pool EU, US, JP, AS 3.01 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 & acid snake ---
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! Battle Arena 2 JP ONLY 3.01 and below eCFW YES 173210 ---
101-in-1 Megamix EU, US, AS 3.01 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 & xerpi EU-version can not be bought/downloaded
Ben 10 Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks EU, AU, US 3.01 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 & Kankertje Dont confuse it with Ben 10 Alien Force
FIFA 2011 US, JP 3.01 and below eCFW YES Matthew_WI & qwikrazor87 Fifa Soccer 2011 in North America
FIFA 2012 US, JP 3.01 and below eCFW YES Mathew_WI & qwikrazor87 Fifa Soccer 2012 in North America
Persona 2: Innocent Sins EU, AU, US, JP 3.01 and below eCFW YES Mathew_WI US version is not transferable via PS3
Arcade Pool & Snooker EU, US 3.01 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 & acid_snake USVersion is not transferable via PS3
Arcade Airhockey & Bowling EU, US 3.01 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 & acid_snake US version is not transferable via PS3
World of Pool EU, US 3.01 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 & acid_snake Pool Hall Pro in North America
Numblast EU, AU, US, JP, AS 3.01 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 Qruton in Japan
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest EU + ??? 3.01 and below eCFW YES qwikrazor87 Also known as POTC: Dead Man's Chest
MyStylist JP ONLY 3.15 and below eCFW YES 173210 ---
Jikkyou Powerful Pro Yakyu 2012 Ketteiban JP ONLY 3.15 and below eCFW NO 173210 Game won't return to the PSN Store.