With the release of Zinga Burga’s RCO editor, its been possible to modify the PSP’s XMB interface with custom icons, and for the last couple of weeks I’ve become addicted to creating icons sets for the PSP.

But I’m not alone in this addiction, with plenty of other people putting in hours of work to create unique and interesting interfaces for anyone using custom firmware 3.03OE to use.

I thought it would be nice to pull some of the best of these XMB icon sets together in a list, with a few short notes on each one, and a link to the original thread (most of these are from QJ.net).

I’ve only concentrated on the original published icon sets, and ignored the people who simply put others work together in a package and publish it as a theme. The spirit of this is to bring together the works of the original creators.

I’ve only included icons sets that have reworked standard PC/Mac icons into PSP format, or created icons completely from scratch (which is very rare). In all cases, a fair bit of work has gone into converting the icons into a PSP format, so I have ignored any ‘republished’ icons sets that simply take someone elses PSP icons and repackages them with a different background etc.

While I have listed these in some sort of order, its my personal opinion, so shouldn’t be taken to seriously. I have included some of my own work in this list, as it stands upto comparison with some of the other icons sets available.

I hope you enjoy this run down of the (top 11) XMB icons sets for the PSP.

11. Black and White by PSPCulture

This is the first entry of four in the list of XMB themes that I have created. While I don’t normally like to ‘blow my own trumpet’, some of the XMB icons sets I’ve created do seem to work quite well, and there aren’t that many people producing high quality icons sets that have high definition graphics.

This icon set was slightly different to my normal efforts as I restricted myself to black and white to try and create a high class contemporary feel to the XMB look. While most of the icons work well, especially with the transparent edges to the folders, some of the images are a little small, or have lost their definition slightly.

Still, overall I was pleased with the way these turned out, and they seem to suit darker wallpapers.

10. Scribbled by Yami86

One of the most original icons themes I’ve seen, Yami86′s scribble XMB icon set is a masterpiece of pencil scribbles. While difficult to imagine it working on any other background other than the notepad style lined paper, this theme is included in this list because of its sheer brilliance and execution.

Worth downloading just to see the battery graphics that have been replaced with an artistic pencil rendering.

9. Metrox by atHeart

This Metrox theme was the first to really bring transparency and custom icons to the PSP. While relatively straightforward looking, these icons have a simplistic beauty that don’t get in the way of the PSP’s functionality. I used this theme for quite a while when it was first released, and I can safely say it inspired me to investigate how to create custom XMB icons.

As far as I’m concerned, if this icon set isn’t in your collection, you are missing out an a design classic.

8. KDE Buuf by PSPCulture

The second entry of four in this list in my KDE Buuf icon set. Similar to G.A.N.T, this icon set uses icons from the KDE Buuf set to bring a more comic style to the PSP.

This is another icon set that is really best suited to subtle backgrounds without too much colour shift. The dark outlines on the icons help the images stand out from light coloured backgrounds quite nicely, so plain vector style wallpapers work well with this XMB theme.

7. G.A.N.T by PokeDad

This GANT theme is very similar to the KDE Buuf one I created (in fact they both were released around the same time), and the icons aren’t quite as polished as they could be, but I still like this style of icon and these work well as the PSP’s XMB interface.

I particularly like the matching of icon to PSP function, something that a lot of PSP XMB themes don’t manage to do very well (if at all).

6. Cartoon by Innercy

This is the first entry in the list from XMB theme creator Innercy, who is the author of a high number of quality XMB icon sets. This theme uses fairly small icons that suit vector style backgrounds. The only real downside to this XMB theme is that some of the icons don’t really relate to the context of the option, something Innercy acknowledged when he created it.

5. Simplest by Innercy

Innercy’s second best work, Simplest is a as its name states. Simple use of black and white icons set at a slight angle makes this XMB theme very clean looking. While these icons look simple, to actually create 32bit icons of this nature is difficult, as it requires restraint from the person converting the icons for the PSP (in this case Innercy). As I have found, its easier to get carried away and make icons over complex when they probably don’t need to be.

4. Vista by PSPCulture

Another one of my own XMB themes, this is the first one I managed to put together and be totally happy with (although most people hated the memory stick icon). While not truley 32bit (I hadn’t worked out how to when I did this theme), the icons are in 32bit format. Each icon has a transparent surround, trying to emulate the Vista window style. Ripped off countless times since released, I still like this theme enough to place it at number 4 in my list.

3. Silk Glow by madsoul

This XMB icon set, by madsoul, has a translucent effect that makes the icons appear to almost float over the background. Really only suitable for darker wallpapers, I rate this theme for its originality and execution.

2. Duranium by PSPCulture

No apologies for including my own Duranium theme so high up the list, as its still the theme I regularly go back to when I’ve tried out other peoples work. I don’t normally like my own graphics work that much, but in this case, I feel I actually got most things right with it (although I am working on a Duranium 2). This icon set is again 32bit, high resolution with some colourful touches. All the icons are related to their context and while perhaps slightly larger than they need to be, work well on most backgrounds.

1. Black Rhizura by Innercy

Black Rhizura is probably Innercy’s best work to date. 32bit icons that are detailed enough to indicate the purpse behind each one, yet simple enough to work on almost any background. These icons have been used extensively by nearly everyone interested in customising their PSP, either in the standard black and white scheme, or with various tints added to them.

So thats my top 11 XMB themes. If you disagree, agree, or think I’ve missed something out, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a line, or better yet add a comment. I’d love to see links to your personal favourite custom XMB’s (preferably the originals though, not someones rip off copy).

If you’ve enjoyed this top 11 run down of XMB icon sets / themes, please Digg It!