What is it?

Important: The PSP has been fully hacked on all firmwares, so you probably want to install a Custom Firmware rather than HBL. Custom firmwares are much more flexible, have more features, and are easier to install than HBL. This page remains online for historical/archive purposes, but generally speaking, its content should be considered obsolete.

This page is the official Download page for Half-Byte Loader. If you have questions please check the FAQ. For the latest news about Half Byte Loader, check the HBL Category on this blog.
Half-Byte Loader (HBL) is an open source Homebrew Loader for the Sony PSP. It allows to play fan-made games on any PSP up to firmware 6.39. HBL allows to run emulators for the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Nintendo 64, Sega Megadrive, NES, Super NES… and many other applications.

Downloads

The Version of HBL you need to download depends on the firmware of your PSP, and is independent of the model (it works on all models, 1000, 2000, 3000, and PSP Go). Click on the firmware installed on your PSP to be redirected to the appropriate download page:

• • 5.03
  • 5.05
  • 5.50
  • 5.51
  • 5.55
  • 5.70
  • 6.00
  • 6.10
  • 6.20
  • 6.30
  • 6.31
  • 6.35
  • 6.36
  • 6.37
  • 6.38
  • 6.39
  • 6.60

If you have a firmware below 5.03, we suggest you upgrade to 6.20 and install TN Hen.

Additional downloads

• 15 essential homebrews for the HBL

If you’re looking for good homebrews that run on your PSP, don’t look any further, those are 15 games and utilities that will keep you entertained for hundreds of hours.

• 15 wallpapers for wMenu

How to use

Check the README.txt file in the zip file 🙂

More Info

HBL is a work in progress and sometimes it might fail to load your favorite homebrew. However we believe it is harmless for your PSP and I personally test my work on several PSPs before releasing it. We are also confident that this program cannot “brick” your psp and it will not void your Sony Warranty.

HBL is open source, the compiled versions I provide are a compiled version of the sources available freely here

Need Help?

If you have questions/issues please go to the official forums

Want to Help?

HBL is a work in progress and we need your help. Bug reports, test reports, and code patches are welcome. I also accept donations if you want to support my releases.