Microsoft offering free Xbox Live Gold for two days

Microsoft is offering all Xbox 360 gamers free Xbox Live Gold status this weekend only.

The Xbox Live Gold service, which usually requires a $60-a-year subscription, will be open to all Xbox owners in the US, Canada, Latin America and Japan, regardless of their current Xbox Live subscription status.

Free access began at 7:00 am Pacific Time on April 19 and runs to 10:00 am Pacific Time on April 22, giving players more than 48 hours to sample online multiplayer gaming and Video Kinect and gain full access to apps.

There will be a number of free-to-enter Xbox tournaments in conjunction with Virgin Gaming in a number of titles, including 'EA Sports FIFA 13,' 'NBA 2K13,' 'EA Sports Madden NFL 13' and 'EA Sports NHL 13,' while for those who want to take it easy there will be 48 hours of unlimited Netflix access.

What's more, there's a chance to try out 'Borderlands 2,' and the XBox Live Major Nelson blog is offering a special Golden Key Code -- KTW3T-ZXXS5-JBSJF-5FJT3-6TB9X -- especially for the occasion. To redeem, at the 'Borderlands 2' Main Menu, select Extras, then SHiFT Code. Hurry though, this will only be available throughout the Xbox Live Gold Unlock weekend.

XBox owners in Europe shouldn't feel left out, meanwhile: European users got their very own Xbox Live Gold weekend back in March.