When it comes to PSP and Vita’s ePSP, ARK-4 is not just another custom firmware—it’s the best, most stable, most up-to-date, and actively developed CFW. With more features, more bug fixes, and broader compatibility—including PSP Test Kits and Devkits—ARK-4 carries the torch of a legendary scene that began with OE and M33 by Dark_AleX, was refined through PRO, ME, and TN, and now continues at full speed with ARK-4.
Why ARK-4 Leads the Scene
Stability & Reliability – rock-solid across every PSP model, including rare Test Kits and Dev Kits, plus the PS Vita’s ePSP environment.
Feature-Rich – powered by the Inferno 2 ISO driver (supporting all known formats: ISO, CSO, ZSO, JSO, DAX, etc.), full PS1 emulation via Popcorn, a custom launcher with themes, plugin control, and a built-in file manager.
Expanded Plugin System – ARK-4 introduces a modernized plugin framework that makes management easier and adds many new functions. Plugins can now be enabled per game, extended across PS1/PSP/VSH, and unlock a variety of quality-of-life improvements not seen in older CFWs.
Always Evolving – unlike PRO, ME, TN, or even the legendary M33, ARK-4 is still in active development with frequent updates, bugfixes, and new features in 2025.
Broad Compatibility – supports every PSP model (1000–3000, Go, E1000), rare Test Kits and Dev Kits, and even the PS Vita via ChovySign, FasterARK, or Adrenaline.
Safety & Recovery Built-In – “Time Machine,” Despertar del Cementerio v10, recovery menus, and brick protection make ARK-4 one of the safest CFWs ever released. And thanks to the Baryon Sweeper, ARK-4 can revive even PSPs that never had ARK installed before – effectively unbricking any PSP model and bringing systems back to life that would otherwise be lost.
What ARK-4 Adds Beyond Previous CFWs
Full Test Kit & Devkit Support – earlier firmwares targeted only retail PSPs. ARK-4 runs flawlessly on development hardware too.
New cIPL for All Models – for the first time, every PSP model can have a true permanent CFW with enhanced brick protection.
Despertar del Cementerio v10 + Baryon Sweeper – ARK-4 can unbrick any PSP, even those that never had CFW installed before. This is a massive step in preservation.
Stargate Anti-CFW Engine – built-in game fixes that patch titles automatically for maximum compatibility.
Heavily Optimized Inferno 2 Driver – supports more ISO formats (ISO, CSO, ZSO, JSO, CSOv2, DAX) with higher performance than legacy drivers.
Custom Game Launcher – independent of the XMB, with theme support, plugin manager, and file explorer. A fallback environment older CFWs never offered.
WPA2 WiFi Support – connects PSPs to modern networks, breathing online life into a handheld long abandoned by Sony.
Unlockable Debug Settings Menu – ARK-4 can activate the hidden Debug Menu from Test/Dev Kits, making developer-only options available to enthusiasts.
Expanded Plugin Framework – plugins can be enabled per game or per mode (PSP/PS1/VSH), with more functions than older CFW plugin systems ever allowed.
OTA Updates – unlike static CFWs of the past, ARK-4 updates itself directly over the internet.
Community & Support
One of ARK-4’s greatest strengths isn’t just the code – it’s the community behind it.
If you need help installing, configuring, or troubleshooting, you don’t have to go it alone:
On the official PSP Homebrew Community Discord, you’ll find active support channels like #support and #ark, where experienced users and even the active ARK-4 developers themselves are present.That means real-time assistance, direct answers from the people maintaining the firmware, and a vibrant hub for anyone still passionate about keeping the PSP and Vita alive.
Sources & Links
ARK-4 GitHub Repository
GitHub - PSP-Archive/ARK-4: Next Generation Custom Firmware for the PSP and Vita's ePSP.
Next Generation Custom Firmware for the PSP and Vita's ePSP. - PSP-Archive/ARK-4
github.com
ARK-4 Wiki (installation guides, features, credits, changelogs)
ARK-4 Credits Page
Community Support (Discord: PSP Homebrew Community)
Join here → https://discord.gg/5yj9dRFc
Channels: #support and #ark – with active ARK-4 developers and community members ready to help.
Credits
Team PRO — Coldbird, hrimfaxi (Liquid Snake), Neur0n (original ARK base).
Acid_Snake — lead dev, driving ARK-4 forward.
qwikrazor87 — kernel exploits & ARK-2 contributions.
meetpatty — cIPL, Test/Dev Kit support, Time Machine, DC-ARK, 1.50 kernel addon.
Krazynez — Advanced VSH Menu, bugfixes, new features.
SilicaAndPina — Vita hacks (ChovySign, NoPspEmuDrm, ps1cfw_enabler).
davee — modern IPL SDK compatibility.
balika011 — DC9 and new cIPL for 3g PSPs.
TheFl0w (Total_Noob) — essential CFW scene contributions.
Moment — WPA2 patches for PSP online.
lusid1 — UMD video ISO compatibility fixes.
Codestation — CSO optimizations, ZSO format.
pyroesp — VSH Menu refactoring.
TheSubPlayer — launcher themes.
UnknownBrackets — Inferno speed hacks, CSOv2 format.
Zer01ne, noname120, astart — community support & dev.
hrydgard — PMF player, launcher inspiration.
Peter Lustig — tester on PSP Test Kits and Devkits (DTP-T1000, DTP-H1500, DTL-L1500), ensuring ARK-4’s full compatibility beyond retail hardware.
