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Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box

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8.1 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 26 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 55 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: Criterion Games

Genre(s): Racing, Driving

Players: 8

ESRB Rating: E10+ (Everyone 10 and Older)

Release Date: February 3, 2009

Summary

Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Box is a special edition release that includes the award-winning Burnout Paradise game, the previously-released Cagney and Bikes downloadable content updates, plus the brand new Burnout Paradise Party pack. The Party pack brings the social fun of Burnout Paradise into an offline multiplayer mode where players compete in different stunt, speed and skill events. The mode is designed to allow up to eight friends to “pass-the-pad” in dozens of quick-fire, turn-based challenges. The Party pack also includes a host of new features including a restart option added for racing and easier control of the early vehicles. Burnout Paradise proves that crashing is awesome! Next generation technology has enabled an unprecedented level of crash deformation allowing you to experience the most explosive pile-ups in the series’ history. Now the development team can realize their original vision for the Burnout franchise: an open world environment where you can do anything, anywhere, anytime. Feel the adrenaline course through your veins as you take to the road for the first time in Paradise City, where the action is all around you. Explore the city, discover events, and look for the best opportunities to crash, jump and pull signature takedowns. In Burnout Paradise you're given the keys to the city, but it's up to you to earn the keys to the meanest and most dangerous cars on the street, and earn your Burnout license. [Electronic Arts]

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

Computer Games Online RO

It’s a rare thing to come across such an excellent game which offers a steady supply of adrenaline and a brilliant sensation of speed. Especially considering that it’s a port.

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Gaming Nexus

The graphics are splendid and the driving action is addictive. Pick this one up ASAP!

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YouGamers

Fast and furious arcade racer translated to the PC with great care. The Ultimate Box tosses in plenty of freebie additions and the ongoing content development ensures that Burnout Paradise won't end up gathering dust after the first few weeks. Has that magic "one more race" feel and is easily one of the best arcade racers on the PC.

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Multiplayer.it

The additional contents are the best way to play the entire Burnout Paradise game, especially on the PC where it comes out for the first time. If you need an arcade racing game, this is the title you have to buy.

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Meristation

Burnout Paradise Ultimate Box is a great compilation. It offers the same game as last year's game, but with all the added features that appeared as DLC thought the year. Really fun to play, with a great technical level and several game modes that offer hours and hours of terminal velocity. Highly recommended for lovers of racing games.

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Eurogamer

The bike pack on its own, included as standard in the Ultimate Box, adds yet more value, but even in the small details (i.e. adding 1080i support to the PS3 game post-launch) Criterion hasn't let its audience down. And yes, it has a restart option. Best of all, the game is still evolving through yet more DLC. It's just getting better and better, and deserves a score to match.

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GameSpot

The Ultimate Box brings many improvements to an already impressive game, and it's one of the best racing games available on the PC.

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Vandal Online

Ultimately, Burnout Paradise is a fantastic racing game that no devotee of the genre should let escape him. It has taken a year to arrive, but it delivers the most complete edition of the game, with a graphic engine excellently adapted to PC, and with a user community ready to squeeze the most of this Criterion work.

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GameZone

The interface needs to be reworked from the version received, but when it comes to the gameplay, this is a stand-out title.

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Teletext GameCentral

This generation's best arcade racer in an extra value compendium that really is a slice of driving heaven.

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LEVEL (Czech Republic)

First ever PC version of Burnout is a perfect example of a modern racing game in an open world with all the essentials that players want. No need for C-grade actresses at all. [Issue#174, Jan 2009]

VideoGamer

For true next-gen arcade racing thrills Burnout Paradise is most definitely your best option, and on PC your only option.

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GameSpy

When one considers the lackluster quality of many console-to-PC ports these days, it's truly refreshing to see an experience that comes jam-packed with so many bells and whistles and such exceptional visuals. If you're a PC gamer who's never burned out, Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box serves as a fine introduction to the series.

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Gamers.at

This can be kept rather simple: Any racing fan with a need for speed, who hasn’t already got Burnout Paradise for console simply needs this cool package. The Graphics are great, the sound is amazing, the speed mind-blowing and there’ so much to see and do that you’ll be kept busy for a long, long time.

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Play (Poland)

First time on the PC and it goes straight to the top. And not just because there was a dearth of stunt racers worthy of praise recently. This game is simply marvelous - an adrenaline-laden crash fest. [Feb 2009]

PC Zone UK

Undeniably fun; a slick arcade racer from an impassioned and talented development studio. [May 2009, p.66]

3DJuegos

Burnout Paradise is an amazing driving game and one of the best Speed arcades for Pc in years. Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box offers everything we should ask in a game of this kind: Great control, smart AI, solid on-line and many elements to unlock.

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GamingXP

Newbies and also pros will enjoy this game very much. This title has the potential to bring new fans to the racing genre. Nowadays, Burnout Paradise is definitely an outstanding product!

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InsideGamer.nl

In the end, Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box is just a great game for those who haven't played the console versions. There's tons of cars to unlock, races to engage in and stunts to perform. Add to this the 'pick up and play' control mechanics and you've got yourself a great racing game that doesn't require mad driving skills and is just genuine fun.

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PC Gamer UK

With a clearer incentive to progress, Paradise would have the cohesion it lacks. But it's still a stupendous amount of fun to play. It doesn't offer a challenge for hardcore racing fans, but instead presents you with a giant island of opportunities for mucking about and enjoying yourself. Which is just fine. [J.Walker]

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IGN

If you're willing to put in the time, there's plenty of content here to enjoy, including getting a handle on how all the various car models control and boost. For gamers looking for a different kind of high-speed racer or anyone's who has yet to experience the thrill Criterion's Burnout series provides, this is a solid choice.

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Pelit (Finland)

A very good and over-the-top arcade sandbox racer. Too bad it couldn't be like this when it was first released. [Mar 2009]

PC Games (Germany)

The famous Burnout-series finally finds its way on to the PC. On the one hand the synonym for an arcade-racing-game gets a little monotonous because of its open-world-concept and the repetitive missions. On the other hand the action and the furious, iconic moments you will live through make up for that, which in the end make Burnout: The Ultimate Box to one of the best arcade-racers you can get at the moment.

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Absolute Games

Those who unlocked all roads in Test Drive Unlimited will appreciate the scope of Burnout Paradise. Just like on Oahu, you just want to aimlessly drive around the city, poking your nose everywhere, set local records from time to time, and enjoy incredibly diverse soundtrack. If only I could see this world from inside of my car!

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Gamer.nl

The PC version of Burnout Paradise has the word Ultimate in its title for a reason. When developer Criterion made The Ultimate Box, they put every update and patch that appeared since the release on the console into this game. By doing so, they made Burnout Paradise the perfect game for everyone who wants to race without a hassle. If one of your hobbies is to cruise in your car on a regular basis and if you aren't bothered by an undemanding difficulty level and then you will have no problem liking this game.

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PC Format

Good intro to the PC for the Burnout series, but though it’s not meant to be a sim, we’d prefer a bit more meat on our games.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 55 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Chuck A gave it a2:
This game is a mediocre game with a crappy port to the pc. I tried this game on four PCs before I found one it didn't crash on. I logged a bug with criterion which seemed to be ignored. Perhaps on a console this would be a 5, but for anyone who has played PC games for long this is a stinker

chad c gave it a10:
best racing game i have ever played and extras to buy are great to play

aaron P gave it a10:
you know i dont know what peopel are talking about when they say its not a burnout game, it feels like a raceing game with lots of fast cars and big crashes which Burnout was all about. sure maybe some things are missing but really its hard to tell when your racing your heart out trying to make that one last turn with an angry AI on your taillights.

Will S. gave it a5:
This is one of those clasic games that has gotten many mixed reviews (and EA's typical at times blunder on sacrifcing features of games that were there on previous versions just to push a product out quicker I suspect) I was hoping that this version would have crash mode returned to us fans but again its mainly just a port nothing really new to get me to buy it again. While the racing parts are still just as good as burnout 3 I am getting that feeling of dissapointment with this version as it starts reminding of some of the need for speed games that got boring real quick. Maybe its because they borrowed some of the need for speed develpoers :) but if there is another sequel to come please bring us crash mode back and stop the repetivness (fillers to make the game seem longer, another typicall EA strategy) and put some real work into it this time. Taking out crash mode is like buying a Challenger without the Hemi... whats the point :) Think I will go play some Burnout 3 now.

Jian T gave it a9:
Look guys, i really do not understand all the bad scores... most of you complain about how this is a openworld and that the mini map and all that are useless because it takes away from the racing. Now before i start a race, i simply press "m" on my keyboard to bring up the map. Give it a 2-3 second look and have the root down in my mind and im done. Racing has never been easier and finding a faster rout that the other computer cars are too stupid to take has never been more fun. and the keyboard controls DO NOT SUCK. They just need fixing. for example, boost needs to be space bar and e brake needs to be shift while showtime MUST be changed to d so you dont accidently press s all the time during a race and piss yourself off. For these minor problems which can be fixed with a little bit of brainpower, i give it a 9/10.

Jay H gave it a6:
This game is perfect until you get about half way through and you just replay the same things over and over again each time you upgrade your license. It gets VERY repetitive and tedious, often frustrating. Also when you get up to about a Class A license, all races turn into takedowns so not only do you need to focus on racing and making the turns, but also the extremely aggressive AI. A good game for a couple hours, but I just can't put up with it anymore and it will remain unfinished.

Nathan S gave it a9:
This game is a lot of fun, and despite the comments of previous reviewers on speed of the game, load times and such, the requirements of this game are quite modest by today's standards especially. As far as gameplay is concerned, the game is a lot of fun, and I feel that the introduction of showtime more than makes up for the removal of aftertouch and crash mode. Rule the Road is an interesting feature, which, with a few friends online, will keep you up, running, and competing with them for top spot on different roads for hours and hours. The game life really is expanded by online play, with even more challenges to complete with and against your friends. My main complaint is the menu, it takes some time to get the hang of, and is not structured well towards the PC. Otherwise, if you picked up and enjoyed Burnout 3, with the exception of a few minor annoyances, you won't be disappointed with this game.

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Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box

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What The Critics Said

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