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Burnout Paradise Remastered is coming to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One next month, but why not the Nintendo Switch? 

The news that Burnout Paradise Remastered is coming to Xbox One, PC and PlayStation 4 is extremely welcome. Sure, we’d all like to see Criterion direct their efforts towards an all new open-world racing game, but if I had to choose between a feature complete edition of one of the greatest multiplayer games of all time, or a new game that would most likely be riddled with micro-transactions and horrendous card-based skill trees, I’ll stick to what I know and love.

The upcoming remaster includes the original base game, eight add-on game packs, and the Big Surf Island expansion. Burnout Paradise Remastered also features updated visuals, with 4K support for the PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox One X.

Matt Webster, General Manager at Criterion Games said in a press release:

“When people think of Criterion Games, they often remember the Burnout franchise and for good reason. What we created 10 years ago, is as fun and unique today as it was back then. Burnout Paradise is an open world arcade racer built to provide players the thrill of racing with their friends, in a free form way that’s both seamless and immersive. With the release of this remaster, we’re able to share this action-packed ride and innovate online vehicle play with a whole new generation of players.”

The obvious question is: where’s the Nintendo Switch version?

Electronic Arts has been cautious in its approach to the Switch, with commitment limited to a stripped back edition of FIFA 18, and the EA Originals release of Fe. Although it’s understandable that the publisher’s current roster of AAA franchises aren’t suited to Nintendo’s hybrid console, we don’t know why a port of a ten year old game isn’t possible. 

We have to assume that Electronic Arts has actively decided not to port the game to Switch, or that a port might come at a later date.

As online multiplayer is so integral to Burnout Paradise, one possibility is that a Switch release would be better timed for September. Nintendo needs to make a strong case to get consumers to subscribe to its new online service, and having Burnout Paradise among a suite of online-focussed games wouldn’t hurt at all,

Burnout Paradise would be great handheld game, even if it ran only at 30fps, so let’s hope EA and Criterion make it happen at some stage. In the meantime, Switch owners seeking arcade racing thrills will have to make do with the likes of Gear.Club Unlimited.

Burnout Paradise Remastered will be available digitally and at retail for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on March 16, 2018. It will also be released on PC later in 2018 via the Origin platform. EA Access members on Xbox One will also have the chance to play the game from March 9, 2018 via the Play First Trial.


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