PSP/PS Vita Exploit Table

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

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

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
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.

3.35 (VHBL)

 * 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.

September Exploit Swarm
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)
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.
 * 2) * If you want to save space and save money, Talkman Travel: Tokyo is a great choice, since it costs only $3 and is 18MB.
 * 3) * Otherwise, Patapon 2 is recommended, since it's a great game and the download code costs only $4.
 * 4) You must use a PS3 (with the OpenCMA trick) to transfer the PSP game to the PS Vita.
 * 5) Download an exploit installer for your PSP game
 * 6) Follow these instructions to install the exploit.

3.18 PS1 Loader Exploits
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.

PSP Demo Games
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.

1.61-3.15 Exploits
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.