Part 4

Dive into the technical details of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories on PSP. Learn about different PSP models, analog stick issues, graphics, custom firmware, and cheat devices.

Alright, let's get into the nitty-gritty of how Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories runs on the PSP. This section is all about the technical stuff, comparing the different PSP models and how they handle the game, plus some handy tips for modding and saving your progress.

The Models

Sony released three main PSP models during its run: the original PSP-1000, the slimmer PSP-2000, and the feature-rich PSP-3000. The PSP-1000 was the biggest and heaviest, with a somewhat flimsy analog stick design that could detach if the casing was damaged. The PSP-2000 and 3000 were lighter and better built. While some folks prefer the PSP-2000's display, I think the PSP-3000 is the best of the bunch. It's got more memory, better processing power, and a sweet feature the 2000 lacks: Component Video output. This means you can hook it up to a modern TV and even play in Progressive Scan mode, which is great for a clearer picture, especially if you're thinking about converting it to HDMI for digital displays.

Analog Stick Woes

Now, about that analog stick. It's not rubberized, which can be a real pain if your thumbs get sweaty. Your thumb can easily slide off the stick, making precise movements, especially during chases or races, super difficult. You'll find yourself constantly wiping your thumb on your pants, which is just as annoying. I found a pretty solid fix using Plasti-Dip. Just apply a thick coat to the analog stick and let it dry overnight. It creates a nice rubberized grip that works great no matter how moist your thumbs get.

Another issue is that the analog stick can feel rough, stiff, and imprecise, sometimes even sticking. It's definitely not as smooth as the PS2's. This makes aiming with first-person weapons like sniper rifles a real challenge. Thankfully, Rockstar added a 'Fine Aim' button that works with the Target button to help out. However, that stiffness still makes controlling certain vehicles and performing specific tasks tougher, which can make some missions and races harder than on the PS2 version.

Graphics

Considering the PSP's hardware, the game looks pretty decent. The graphics are designed for that smaller screen, and they hold up well. You might notice some jagged edges when blown up on a larger TV, but playing in Progressive Scan mode definitely smooths things out.

Custom Firmware (CFW)

If you're thinking about modding your PSP, it's way easier than on the PS2. The first thing you'll want to do is get a Memory Stick Duo to Micro SD Card adapter. Once you have that, grab the PRO-B 6.60 custom firmware. Most PSPs are already on this version. Get a decent-sized Micro SD card (32GB or 64GB is a good start), pop it in the adapter, and insert it into your PSP. Format the memory stick through the PSP's settings. Then, connect your PSP to your computer via USB and copy the 'Fast Recovery' and 'PROUPDATE' folders into the 'PSP > GAME' directory on your memory stick. Run the 'Pro Update' program from the PSP's game menu to install the firmware. There are tons of guides online for getting your games onto the memory stick, so I won't dive deep into that here. But trust me, running games from the memory card means faster loading times, better battery life (since you're not using the UMD drive), and no more carrying discs around!

Game Saves

Archiving your game saves to your computer is also a breeze. Just connect your PSP to your PC and navigate to the 'PSP > SAVEDATA' folder. Your saves are stored here, but they're named with a 'ULUS' number instead of the game title. For Vice City Stories, the save files are named ULUS10041. You can have up to eight save files for the game, labeled ULUS10160S92F0 through ULUS10160S92F7.

CWCheat

Just like with the PS2 version, you can use cheat devices on the PSP, but they're software-based and work with custom firmware like PRO-B 6.60. CWCheat is a popular option. Once you've got it installed and are running your game, just hold down the 'Select' button to bring up the cheat menu and toggle your desired cheats. While the game has built-in cheats, using them will cost you 1000 Criminal Rating points each time. CWCheat lets you bypass that penalty.

PSPPP Emulator

If you're looking to play Vice City Stories on your computer, the PSPPP emulator is a solid choice, available for most operating systems. Based on my playtime, it runs pretty smoothly. You can even adjust settings like resolution and aspect ratio to get the best visual experience.