Look! It's a Bungie announcement not involving Halo 3! On April 17th, two new multiplayer maps for Halo 2 will be made available on both the original Xbox and the 360. These aren't just any maps mind you, but remakes of two of the most popular battlefields from the original Halo, Hang 'Em High and Dereclict. The maps have been overhauled, rebalanced, packed with new features and rechristened Tombstone and Desolation.

Nice and shiny, while still being familiar enough to veteran players as to make sure I haven't a chance in hell in living more that 5 seconds on average from the moment I spawn.

Since the maps are technically for an original Xbox game, you'll need a credit card with a balance of $4 available to purchase the new maps, as the big black box doesn't know from Microsoft points. Hit the jump for more info! Michael Fahey

HALO 2 MULTIPLAYER MAPS REVEALED

Microsoft Game Studios and Bungie Studios today confirmed the upcoming release of two new, eagerly awaited downloadable maps for "Halo 2." The maps will be available as premium downloadable content for Xbox and Xbox 360 on April 17.

Fans of the original "Halo" have long requested the addition of some of their favorite maps to the critically acclaimed multiplayer experience of "Halo 2." These re-creations, developed by Bungie and Certain Affinity Inc., are a perfect way to thank fans for their support as they surpass 800 million hours of "Halo 2" gaming on Xbox LIVE .

The two maps will bring new life to ancient battlefields and legendary skirmishes, as both are new, improved and redesigned remakes of fan favorites from the original "Halo: Combat Evolved." For the price of $4 for the pair, these maps bring a fresh burst of action to the seminal "Halo 2" online multiplayer experience. Both of the maps will be available through the "Halo 2" in-game content downloader for both Xbox and Xbox 360.*

The king of "Halo" maps has returned at last. Hang 'Em High, arguably the most popular multiplayer map for the original title, has been reimagined for "Halo 2" as Tombstone, with all-new graphics, features and a few hidden surprises. Now fans will enjoy the dangerous catwalks and trenches that made this the most requested "Halo" multiplayer map ever, with a modernized "Halo 2" flavor.

The second map, Desolation, is a symmetrical, Deathmatch-oriented map and a beautiful remake of the original Derelict. With new graphics and effects and a massive gameplay overhaul, the old favorite is now faster-paced and more balanced than ever — perfect for intense "Halo 2" combat.