Microsoft launched a nationwide recall of it’s latest third person open world game Crackdown 2, after widespread reports that the original Crackdown was found inside the Crackdown 2 green cases. As the game was released on July 6, 2010, Microsoft began recieving a flood of reports from retailers nationwide of the new-found problem.

Find out if you’ve been affected, after the jump!

Microsoft Spokesperson Julie Doppel, addressed the media in Redmond WA earlier today, “We here at Microsoft have become aware of a situation developing where consumers who had purchased Crackdown 2, received a copy of Crackdown in the Crackdown 2 cases. We are aware of the issue and have instituted a nationwide recall of all copies to address this issue.”

Reporters here in Chicago have confirmed that several of the copies of Crackdown 2 that they purchased while researching this story did, in fact have copies of Crackdown within the Crackdown 2 cases. In fact, all copies purchased had the original game within the slightly tweaked packaging from Ruffian, the developer of Crackdown 2.

We tracked down an anonymous source from Ruffian that agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity. He said,

“Yes, we basically ported the original game and slapped a 2 on it, I admit it. Sure, we put a helmet on your character and added a new game mode of PVP multiplayer, but in the end, we just put the first game in a Crackdown 2 box and called it a day.”

When asked what he’s been up to instead of finishing Crackdown 2 he said,

“I’ve actually been on vacation for the past 6 months, you caught me as I was driving home from the airport! The weather in Fiji is great, by the way.”

UPDATE: Microsoft has rescinded its nationwide recall of Crackdown 2. Doppel released this statement for the press moments ago:

We have been in contact with Ruffian and confirmed the situation. While there are not “actual” copies of Crackdown in Crackdown 2 cases, we acknowledge that Crackdown 2 is so identical to the original that we understand the confusion on launch day. We do want to stress that although the sequel in almost every way is identical to the original Crackdown, the game is, in fact, a new game and gamers that purchased Crackdown 2 will not be able to return opened games to their local retailer.

Local gamers interviewed were ho-hum about the issue. One gamer stated plainly, “either way, I liked the first game better anyway…”