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EA has given SSX fans more reasons to shred the slopes. A new download for the game opens up two new modes. The first being Free Ride which allows you to tackle any slope just for fun--no objectives or time limit. The other is an online multiplayer mode call 3-2-1 Go!, which pits five riders against each other in either Trick It or Race It. If you were looking for a reason to get back on your board here it is. Let your competitive side out for a spot of multiplayer or just free ride the slopes.

It has been some time since we've had the opportunity to play an SSX game. The unbelievable tricks, sprawling vista and memorable characters made the games that came before a joy to play. The latest installment returns SSX to true form with characters we know and love, insane tricks and new slopes that are based on real-world locations. SSX has made its return bigger and better than ever and here's what the industry has to say about it. MetaCritic:   83 IGN:   9.0 GameInformer: 7.75 Destructoid: 8.5 GameTrailers: 8.7

For those of you who are unaware, an Online Pass is a way for game companies to manage the rights of their games that have online functionality. This pass usually comes packaged with a new game and allows the gamer access to online features and bonus content. The brilliant minds at Electronic Arts have decided to put online passes into two of their upcoming games, SSX and Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. The latter, a single-player game, includes an online pass that grants you access to the an additional quest line giving gamers all the more reason to buy it new. Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning drops Feb 7 and SSX Feb 28. What these passes boil down too is a way for the company to reduce the sale of used games while still being able to make a profit if it is bought used. Do you think more companies will begin to adapt this business model? And what do you think of online passes in general? [via Destructoid ]

In 2011, gamers had a year filled with games that missed there original release date. Although the year turned out to be a great one, waiting for a game to be released just to have it pushed back can be heart-wrenching. Gears of War 3 was delay almost five months and Mass Effect 3 was pushed into another year. It is now 2012, the year has just started and already games are seeing their original release date altered. Most recently Saber Interactive's Inversion was move from its February 7 release date to March 27 and while Max Payne 3 was originally scheduled for a March release, Take-Two has decided to move the game to a May release window. Here's the shortlist of delayed games (so far): Mass Effect 3 Demo [Delayed until February] SSX [Delayed 2 weeks] XCOM [Delayed until the next fiscal year] Anarchy Reigns [Delayed until July] Diablo III [Delayed, official release unknown] Gotham City Impostors [Delayed until February] Ghost Recon: Future Soldier [Delay until May] ...