I have been thoroughly sucked into the world of Burnout Paradise for the Sony PlayStation 3. I'm not usually a fan of realistic-type racing games, but Electronic Arts and Criterion Games have created an amazingly enjoyable driving experience here. Part of the fun about speeding through Paradise City is that I'm free to turn the game into whatever kind of racing experience that I want. I spend most of the time in the city just exploring the streets while listening to music that I've imported into the game with the custom soundtrack option, meaning that we have another game here that allows for high-speed adventures set against the best of Billy Joel. Burnout is headed to new heights next month as Criterion is currently putting the finishing touches on the Legendary Cars add-on pack which adds four famous fictional vehicles to the action (well, non-infringing alterations of four famous fictional vehicles, anyways). Get ready to hit the road with cars based on the DeLorean from Back to the Future, Ecto-1 from Ghostbusters, KITT from Knight Rider (William Daniels not included, sadly), and the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard. Where we're going, we don't need roads.
In 2009, we’re taking Burnout vehicles to the next level with some truly unbelievable new vehicles. First up – The Jansen 88 Special. This classic 1980’s styled silver sports car is based on the fan-favourite Jansen P12, but we’ve made a few interesting modifications. Fill the gauge and hit boost to trigger burning flame trails from your back wheels. The 88 Special’s fast, manoeuvrable and great in the air. In fact, if you want to take off, this is just the car for you. Hit L3 to switch to hover mode – the wheels retract and the car takes off and hovers through Paradise City at head height. Seriously. It hovers.
Do you realize what this means? Now I can buy the DeLoreanesque Jansen 88 Special add-on, load the Burnout soundtrack with Huey Lewis and the News, and make my own modern Back to the Future game! Great Scott, this is heavy.
