‘Burnout Paradise’ to let rip on modern consoles

Fans of a ten-year-old classic rejoice — along with those that appreciate a bout of virtual vehicular tomfoolery — as “Burnout Paradise” appears well-positioned for a March 2018 relaunch on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

First released in January 2008 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, then the following year for Windows PCs, “Burnout Paradise” is making a comeback. That’s the inference from a new Japanese report that backs up earlier rumors out of Brazil.

Debuting to critical acclaim, “Burnout Paradise” was the fifth entry to its parent franchise and, unlike its predecessors, opted for an open-world environment instead of a series of set-piece point-scoring challenges.

Players could hurtle around Paradise City and its varied surrounds, cruise with friends, throw their vehicles off improbable jumps and rack up high scores in pile-ups of epic proportions.

British developer Criterion decided that “Burnout Paradise” could do more, adding new multiplayer modes and challenges, motorbikes, and day-night cycles for free, before rolling out a series of premium car packs and, eventually, the stunt-friendly Big Surf Island expansion.

Thanks to a backwards compatibility program, it’s already possible to play the Xbox 360 version of “Burnout Paradise” on Xbox One, but since December 2017, there’s been the suggestion that a remastered edition is on its way.

Brazilian outlet Gamepress.br observed a local retailer listing “Burnout Paradise” for PS4 and XBO at R$149,90 ($46 or about P2,300).

Brazil’s governmental rating system, Classificação Indicativa, was then seen logging “Burnout Paradise” as an upcoming release for PS4, XBO and Nintendo Switch, before the listing was pulled.

That remaster rumor is now solidifying after a Japanese street date tracker, Twitter account Renka_schedule, dug up a day and a price for “Burnout Paradise HD Remaster”.

As Gematsu relays, it’s set for a March 16 touchdown in Japan, at an expected price of ¥4,104 ($36 or P1,800), though only the PlayStation 4 version is included in the report.

Not a peep out of Criterion or publisher Electronic Arts, who may be waiting for the game’s 10-year anniversary on January 10 before making an announcement. JB

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