Release: ARK-based Hombrew/Backup launcher for 3.36/3.18
Developer Xana has released a bubble-based homebrew launcher with Kernel access.
The tool is compatible with PS Vita firmwares 3.36 and 3.18, and according to Xana, can launch iso/cso backups, ps1 eboots (without sound), as well as homebrew eboots.
From the readme:
1: Edit the PATH.TXT file with the path to your game/hb e.g. ms0:/PSP/GAME/HOMEBREW/EBOOT.PBP
*make sure there’s no newline at the end of the file*
2: Open the ARK bubble ISO in UmdGEN and add the PATH.TXT to /PSP_GAME/USRDIR/, then save it as an ISO.
3. sign the ARK ISO with fake_np. Don’t use minis or (on 3.30+) a 3.18 exploit game as a base.
3a. If you’re already using an ark bubble, you may want to backup your ARK savedata through CMA, then transfer the menu files to the provided ARK savedata.
4. transfer the generated EBOOT and the ARK (3.18) or ARK_12345 (3.36) savedata through CMA.
5. install the generated EBOOT.PBP as a custom bubble.
Download
downloads and more explanations at the source: Xana on /talk
If you want to support this work, you can donate to Xana with Bitcoins or on paypal.
Need help?
If you’re having issues with custom bubbles in general, this PS Vita bubble tutorial by The Z is a good starting point. Or feel free to ask on our forums.

good
one can create a bubble to launch a PSP game. That’s exciting. I’ll finally start getting full use of this 64 gig memory card.
Thanks for your hard work.
emulators too, rite?
Very Cool! Though a quick question, will this work with the 3.0.1 firmware since I have the MegaMix exploit and don’t want to update and lose it?
You don’t care for the PS1 Loader on the firmware 3.18?
I’d also like to knpw that! I would like to update my Vita so I can use Remote Play, but don’t want to lose my HB access…
I only tested it on 3.36/3.18 ; AFAIK, there’ s no dedicated ARK bubble for 3.01. You could always try the 3.18 one, but I make no guarantees it will work.
How does this differ to what we have been doing so far with injecting PSP games into bubbles?
ark based ?
Which means?
I gave up injecting as none of them worked. Is this likely to improve by being Ark based?
Instead of using sign_np on an ISO and hoping it works, you can use one of these bubbles and point it at a CSO or ISO, and it should have much better compatibility (I’ve had success with this on games that wouldn’t work via sign_np bubbles). Also, custom bubbles can’t do PS1 games, but this an (without sound) 🙂
Right now I use TN-V at 3.18 with Bubbles, didn’t used ARK at all. So my main Question is: is there a Guide or something that compares the CFW’s for the Vita and show the exact difference or a Feature List of all?
Dose anybody know what vita firmwares come out of the box?
Im thinking of getting a slim PCH-2000 black but if it’s going to come with 3.6 or above then I don’t think I’ll go ahead.
Not sound yet on those pirated PS1 copies, eh!?
You guys are really slacking, get back to work! =P
The ignorance has spoken in its true form…
TN’s PS1 loader works perfect for me, yes with sound. Most of the people here have XS Moto or Tekken 2. You just cant run PS1 games with sound properly on TNV or ARK. Also not everyone running a backup is a pirate.
So can this run a plugin too? I.e. KH BBSFM undub requires a plugin for perfect compatability.
I already have Ark-2 is it ok if i dont need to install this one?
Just asking, but is it possible to install any of this on a Vanilla PS VITA 3:36? I don’t have an exploit game (or know of any that work now) or anything needed to start. Have I missed the ship?
I’d like to know this too. I’m new to the vita and I missed all the exploits last month. This article isn’t clear to the uninitiated.
*Bump* Would really like to know the answer to this also. I have a stock ps vita running 3.36. I would like to be able to run homebrew games on my console. Would love some info; thanks 🙂