We have a lot of updates for Burnout Paradise (PS3, Xbox 360) fans today. A new box set, new DLC... Things are certainly looking better and better for fans of Criterion Games' open-world racer.

Let's start things off with the DLC. If you remember, Criterion has announced that they plan to bring four new DLC packs for Burnout Paradise next year. They've finally unveiled the first one: Burnout Paradise Party.

This pack basically turns Burnout Paradise into an offline party game for up to eight people, complete with new Party Edition visuals and atmosphere. In Party mode, a randomly selected player is dropped into the game and tasked to complete a challenge. It's a pass-the-pad affair, so you need only one controller.

There are three challenge types: Stunt, Speed and Skill. Stunt covers the jumps and tricks prat of the game. Speed is for time trials and the like, while Skill challenges will have players driving through oncoming traffic and drifting their cars.

The Burnout Paradise Party pack also comes with new Trophies and Achievements. It'll be available for download come February 2009.

Also coming in February is Electronic Arts' Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and - for the first time ever - for PC. The box set will include a copy of Burnout Paradise, the Cagney and Bikes content updates, and the Party pack.

The box's PS3 version also features the Burnout Paradise Network. This is pretty much a replacement for the old Burnout Live News Page using the PlayStation browser for "upgraded news service, enhanced social play and much, much more". Criterion hasn't revealed everything about this PS3-exclusive feature yet, so keep checking back here for more details.

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Related articles:

• Four new Burnout Paradise updates slated for Spring 2009

Buy: [Burnout Paradise (PS3)]
Buy: [Burnout Paradise (Xbox 360)]