NextGN.com went live in the middle of July 2008 – and we’ve been doing pretty good since then…
Although 2008 wasn’t a full year for us – it was packed with news and rumors.

Here are the top 10 NextGN’s articles of 2008 – by visit count:

#10 – 10 Things That Would Make My Xbox 360 a Perfect Machine

Azachi wrote a very interesting article – 10 things that would make the Xbox 360 a perfect machine.

“…I love my 360, but…

Microsoft will have to do some changes and improvements with the Xbox 360 if they want it to become the best gaming console available.

Here is my list of 10 things that would make my Xbox 360 a perfect machine:…”

#9 – New Little Big Planet Beta Keys will be Available this Monday

LittleBigPlanet was one of the most anticipated PlayStation 3 games of 2008. A private beta was being held a few months before the official release in order to test the servers. Media Molecule gave out beta access keys via different websites – and the fans went ga-ga over them.

According to the official Little Big Planet website new beta keys will be available this Monday.

#8 – The Last Remnant Screenshots

The Last Remnant is an RPG game – released as a timed exclusive for Xbox 360 by Square Enix (no release date for the PlayStation 3 version yet). The Last Remnant was very anticipated by 360 fans but was getting bad reviews by critics (65 score on metacritic).

#7 – LittleBigPlanet Trophies List

Full trophies list for LittleBigPlanet. Check out our LittleBigPlanet Trophy Guide for some help with achieving them all.

#6 – Home is Coming December 16?

PlayStation Home used to be one of Sony’s biggest selling points on the PlayStation 3. Unfortunately, over times – Home became the subject of many jokes and rants since it was delayed over and over.

On a recent Home feature published on the Times Online UK website:

To try Home, which is slated for release in the next 10 days, players must download a piece of free software from Sony’s PlayStation store onto their own PS3.

This is not official and not confirmed by anyone, but we all heard the promises that Home will come by the end of 2008. Is December 16 the date?

PlayStation Home entered open beta on December 11, 2008.

#5 – Linger in Shadows Available for Download This Week!

Before Linger in Shadows was released and turned out to be a a very strange non-game experience, I thought (because of it’s art style) we are getting a spiritual successor of Shadow of the Colusus (amazing game on PlayStation 2). I was wrong.

We first heard about Linger in Shadows last month, and apparently we are going to get to play it sooner than we thought!

According to the Linger in Shadows page on the Playstation website, the release date for this game is August 28, which is in three days (on the next PSN Store update).

I’m still not sure how this game will turn out to be…

“A dreamlike, seemingly random sequence unfolds before your eyes; then it stops, spools back and starts again. Can you influence it? Can you alter or extend what you have already seen?”

#4 – 10 Very Cool PS3 Tips and Tricks

One of the NextGN’s very first posts. Actually we only linked to TechRadar’s article, but we got many visits off that link…

TechRadar.com has posted some really cool article listing some PS3 Tips and Tricks – some of them I didn’t even know about.

• Save files from the web
• Visualisations
• Turn DVDs into HD
  
• Set up a media server
  
• Use other webcams
• Playstation store on PC
• Turn your PS3 into a PC
• Access instant messaging
• Transfer classic PS1 games to PSP
• Use PC peripherals

You can read the full article at TechRader.com.

#3 – Official Little Big Planet Trailer is Online

LittleBigPlanet is back again and opens the top 3 list.

Oh my god… This game looks better and better each time I see it!

#2 – Fifa 2009 Demo is Coming September 11

The Fifa franchise has tons of followers and it’s 2009 version is considered superior to Konami’s Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 by many. As for me – I still prefer PES and I own a copy of PES 2009. I didn’t like the demo of Fifa 2009.

EA Sports have announced the release date for the Fifa 2009 demo – September 11.

The demo will allow the player to do a full exhibition and will have 6 teams available:

• Marseille
• Schalke
• Real Madrid
• Chelsea
• AC Milan
• Toronto FC

The demo will unveil the new Team Management feature: Custom Tactics, giving the player a chance to sample tactical options in each of the key categories (Build Up, Chance Creation, and Defence).

The PS3 version features the FIWC Stadium, and the 360 features New Wembley.

#1 – Home will be Available in 2008 – For Sure

The number one article of 2008 for NextGN is – not very surprisingly – a PlayStation Home related one. The end of August brought another rumor about Home – that it will be released by the end 2008. If you consider the Public Beta as a release – turns out that rumor was true.

Martijn Van Der Meulen, Home producer – have commented at the Leipzig Games Convention about the release date of Home and promised it will come out this year (I wonder if he meant the full service or just the beta…).

2008 was a great year for gaming. One of the best. A big thank you to Azachi, snirsnir and cocomello. Without your great articles, reviews and news this site was to be taken down months ago… Happy new year!