It would seem that Zipper hasn't exactly been sitting around, twiddling their thumbs while Slant Six is busy ramping up SOCOM Confrontation for that September 16th release date. Unbeknownst to us, they've been hard at work on a new map pack for SOCOM 3: U.S. Navy SEALs and SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Combined Assault. For those that recall the previous SOCOM titles, this pack will include classic maps that might ring of familiarity: Crossroads, Frostfire, Guidance, and Fishhook. Just in case you slept through what some consider the pinnacle of 3rd person shooters on the PlayStation 2, Sony offers up a modest description for you to mull over:

Crossroads is a SOCOM II urban map based in North Africa. Crossroads consistently ranks as the most popular classic SOCOM map and a next generation version of Crossroads will be featured in SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Confrontation. It is playable in a day or night setting with up to 16 players in Suppression, Demolition and Control gametypes.

Fishhook is a SOCOM II map based on a seaside North African village. It is playable with up to 16 players in a day or night setting in Suppression, Extraction, Control and Breach gametypes. Frostfire is a SOCOM map which features an oil drilling platform off of the coast of Alaska. It is playable in a day or night setting with up to 16 players in Suppression, Control and Demolition gametypes.

Guidance is a SOCOM II map which features an ex-soviet military base in Russia.  It is playable in a day or night setting with up to 16 players in Suppression, Demolition and Control gametypes.

Following that winning precedent that Epic spawned the other week, the map pack will set you back exactly zero-dollars. Feeling that this might not be enough, they've also decided to  up the ante and throw in the previous map packs for free, as well. Last-gen or not, if you happen to have copies of the above-mentioned games lying around the house, it might not be such a bad idea to dust off that PS2 and grab the goods. Not only might the trip down memory lane spark that inner reminder of how much you loved SOCOM back in the day, but it should do well to keep your SEAL Team in fighting form up until Confrontation busts down the door, and takes over your online life.

[Via SOCOM.com]