While it was already announced that the additional content for Resident Evil 5, including the "Lost in Nightmares" missions, would be arriving as DLC early next year, what wasn't known was whether or not that content would ever make it to disc. Today, Capcom announced Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition would be shipping March 9, 2010, and would contain all the new DLC and the original game for $49.99.

I've already played the hell out of RE5 on the 360, but once I heard that there was going to be motion controls implemented in the PS3 version, I wanted to experience that version of the game almost immediately. My hopes were dashed when Capcom said the new content was going to be DLC, but today I feel rejuvinated. Not that buying the regular game on disc, then paying for the additional mission, costumes, and control schemes would have been that big a deal, but having all that stuff on one disc sure makes it a whole lot easier to enjoy it.

It may seem ridiculous that I'd buy the same game on two different consoles, but I'm thinking that the new control schemes will totally make up for it. You know, that and those new costumes. I enjoyed RE4 on the Wii just as much as I did the original on the PS2, and I'm thinking that this is going to be pretty much the same thing. Only with way better graphics. Besides, I'm going to need something to tide me over until God of War III comes out.

Check out the full press release below.

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We are pleased to confirm today that a variety of new content for the hugely successful RESIDENT EVIL 5, will be available for the Xbox 360 and PS3 next year. We plan to release two new downloadable episodes, a host of new costumes, and a new “THE MERCENARIES REUNION” mode, featuring 8 new playable characters and weapon load outs.

For those RESIDENT EVIL fans who prefer a box copy, we are also happy to report that we will be releasing a RESIDENT EVIL 5: GOLD EDITION that will include the original game plus all additional content, making this the ultimate RESIDENT EVIL5 experience.  RESIDENT EVIL 5: GOLD EDITION will be available for $49.99 as a single Blu-ray disc for the PLAYSTATION 3 or as a DVD with a token for the downloadable content for XBOX 360.

Previously only seen during cut scenes of the original RESIDENT EVIL 5, the first new episode titled “LOST IN NIGHTMARES”, finds BSAA agent, Chris Redfield, working with his partner, Jill Valentine, as they investigate Ozwell E. Spencer’s hideaway.  Spencer, the evil mastermind and co-founder of Umbrella Corporation, has been hiding a new evil deep within the basement of his mansion. Chris and Jill discover this grotesque evil standing in their way as the two enter deeper into the catacombs beneath the mansion.  

Simultaneous with the release of “LOST IN NIGHTMARES”, new costumes for Chris and Sheva will be made available, allowing the player to experience RESIDENT EVIL 5 with a fresh new look and feel through both game play and cut-scene playback.  A new refresh of Mercenaries Mode, “ THE MERCENARIES REUNION”, gives players new playable characters and weapon load outs which provide players additional challenges as they aim to shoot down as many enemies as they can within a limited time.  Each piece of downloadable content will contain two new playable characters.  The GOLD EDITION will feature all eight.  

More information regarding the second episode is still to come so be on the look out for more great RESIDENT EVIL info coming soon!