EA's long awaited next-generation racing and crashing game for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Burnout Paradise, has arrived at retail in North America. Racers in Europe receive the game on January 28.

Featuring high-resolution graphics to take advantage of all those new big screen TVs that Santa dropped off in December, Burnout Paradise's more controversial and compelling change is a new open world format. In essence, racers drive around the city to explore the city in absolute freedom. When they feel the need to race crash, they initiate events by revving up at any traffic light.

Other features include an option called EasyDrive Friends, which allows racers to connect with friends without having to wait or exit a current game. Gamers with a PlayStation Eye or a Xbox Live Vision camera can also take a Mugshot for their digital license or grab new Mugshots from fellow players for later blackmail. The game supports up to seven players who can compete in or join forces through over 300 online challenges.

"Burnout Paradise is the natural evolution of the franchise as we wanted to give the player full control to create their own personal Burnout experience," says Alex Ward, Creative Director at EA Criterion. "The city really comes alive when players get together with their friends online, aggressively blasting through the streets at insane speeds to see who is king of the road. The team at EA Criterion couldn't be more happy and excited to be delivering a truly next generation Burnout title."

Burnout Paradise's racing-meets-mayhem fun comes rated E10+ by the U.S.-based ESRB and 3+ by the EU-based PEGI. Demos for the game are also available via Xbox Live and PlayStation Network.