GoldenEye 007, a game that was first released for the Nintendo 64 console, is now available for play on the Nintendo Switch Online and Xbox Game Pass platforms. This marks James Bond‘s comeback in the modern era of video games. The original version of GoldenEye 007 was released in 1997, and it was an instant success, eventually becoming the third best-selling Nintendo 64 game of all time.
25 years after its original release, experience GoldenEye 007 faithfully recreated for Xbox consoles. Includes achievements, 4K resolution and a smoother framerate – even in split-screen local multiplayer! Coming soon to @XboxGamePass. pic.twitter.com/kpBlJKqFR9
— Rare Ltd. (@RareLtd) September 13, 2022
Goldeneye 007
The game had a significant impact on the development of the first-person shooter genre and was responsible for the introduction of elements such as stealth gameplay, which were previously unheard of in games of this type. However, due to license and ownership issues, the game was unable to be remastered for more recent platforms for quite some time, which made it impossible for all of the parties concerned to come up with a solution until recently.
GoldenEye 007 is a classic James Bond shooter, and things are finally starting to look better for the game. In a very odd revelation, both Nintendo and Xbox stated that they will be releasing two separate versions of the game.
During the most recent Nintendo Direct presentation in September, the company announced that additional Nintendo 64 games, including GoldenEye 007, will be included in the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack in the near future. It appears that the Switch Online version of the game is a port that is being run in an emulator, but it also includes additional features like online play.
Only the Switch edition will have online play, which will enable “007 enthusiasts all over the world to participate in the famous four-person multiplayer game together.” In addition to this, Nintendo plans to add Pokémon Stadium, Mario Party, Pilotwings 64, 1080° Snowboarding, and Excitebike 64 to the online service of the Nintendo Switch.
On the other hand, the developer Rare revealed on Twitter that an improved version of the game is on the way to Xbox systems and will be playable through the Game Pass service offered by the business. Achievements and support for two analog sticks are going to be included in this updated version of GoldenEye 007 for Xbox platforms.
Even native 16:9 resolution all the way up to 4K Ultra HD is promised by the creators, along with “a steady refresh rate.” However, as of right now, there has been no information provided regarding the frame rates that the game would be aiming for. Even though there will not be an online multiplayer component, the game will still feature the classic split-screen local multiplayer option. This mode will allow up to four players to participate in couch co-op sessions.
“Experience GoldenEye 007 properly remade for Xbox consoles,” rare stated in the article announcing the game’s release. This was written twenty-five years after the game’s initial release. “Includes accomplishments, 4K resolution, and a better framerate – even in split-screen local multiplayer! Xbox Game Pass users, stay tuned for more information!
Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S owners who subscribe to Xbox Game Pass will be able to play the remastered version of GoldenEye 007. According to Xbox, “players who own a digital copy of Rare Replay, the 30-game compilation of classics from the award-winning studio behind the original release of GoldenEye 007, will be able to download and enjoy the game free of charge.” Rare Replay is a compilation of classic games developed by Rare, which won an award for the original release of GoldenEye 007.
Even if none of the versions that have been revealed has a release date as of this writing, it is nevertheless quite exciting to see GoldenEye 007 finally getting the high-quality and “official” remaster that the game so richly deserves. Even after all of these years, the game still has a sizable number of devoted followers as well as a flourishing community that has, on occasion, devised some bizarre modifications and in-game maneuvers.
Because we spent every Saturday morning of our formative years sitting cross-legged on the living room floor trying to destroy Trevelyan, you can bet your bottom dollar that we will be in line for this one as soon as it is made available to the public.