Historically, video games based on big-budget movies don't tend to fare particularly well. It's rare for these types of games to match up to their movie counterparts, and it's even rarer still for the games to actually surpass them. Yet, in the case of Goldeneye 007, this is precisely what happened. The N64 exclusive was a landmark title for the FPS genre on its release in 1997, and introduced many concepts that are staples for the likes of Call of Duty today, including an incredible local multiplayer component. With the recent news that Goldeneye 007 is coming to Nintendo Switch Online, and will include an online multiplayer mode, fans will be excited to relive some of the action with a whole new pool of players.
When developer Rare created Goldeneye 007, it probably had no idea that the game would go on to have such a lasting impact on the industry. The game itself is a faithful recreation of the 1995 movie starring Pierce Brosnan, and many fans have been calling out for a remake of it for years now. The Nintendo Switch version is understood to be a port, but interestingly, Xbox is also receiving a version of the game which has been described as a '4K resolution remaster'. The multiplayer feature, though, is exclusive to the Switch version of Goldeneye. This will be extremely disappointing for Xbox owners, and is a decision that is not yet fully understood, but it is hugely exciting for those on the Switch.
Goldeneye 007 Was Synonymous With Multiplayer
The single-player campaign in Goldeneye 007 provided a good level of challenge, and for fans of James Bond, it presented an opportunity to step into the shoes of the famous secret agent, becoming 007. Despite the fact that other James Bond video games had been released in the years prior, Goldeneye represented a significant step-up for the franchise. As engaging as the single-player content was though, the game's strongest element was its multiplayer content.
Offering split-screen action for up to four players, taking full advantage of the four controller ports that came built-in with a standard Nintendo 64, Goldeneye 007 was revolutionary in its list of options for friends to compete. Players could choose to play as various characters including Bond himself, and other famous faces from the franchise such as Jaws and Oddjob. However, it is in the arenas themselves, as well as the game modes, where the shooter really excelled.
The maps are varied and each offer something different. From the Aztec-themed Temple level to the maze-like corridors of the library Stack, players are spoiled for choice. The arenas themselves aren't particularly large - which is logical considering they only house a maximum of four players - but each one is expertly laid out so that they offer ample opportunities for fast, frantic combat. Familiar locations from the Goldeneye movie are also used, such as the satellite Bunker and the Russian gas Facility.
The game modes are equally varied and innovative. The standard mode is Deathmatch, where players are awarded a point for a kill, and the number of kills needed for victory can be altered. Other notable modes, cleverly named after previous James Bond movies, include License to Kill, which sees players die after a single bullet hits them, The Man With The Golden Gun, where all players scramble to find the Golden Gun which allows them to kill players with one shot, and You Only Live Twice, a mode which gives the player two lives before they are eliminated. Players can also create matches that feature specific weapon types, which creates interesting opportunities for those who prefer the powerful blasts of rocket launchers or the more subtle, skilled shots of high-powered pistols.
One of the multiplayer mode's only drawbacks was the fact that it was split-screen, and as soon as players learned the map layouts, it was very easy to understand where the enemy players were in relation to the player. Some went to extreme measures in order to prevent this, even constructing homemade devices using cardboard and tape in order to truly try and 'split' the screen into four. For these people, in particular, Nintendo's announcement of the exclusive online mode will likely be music to their ears.
While some elements of Goldeneye 007 haven't aged particularly well, especially the blocky visuals which were poor even at the time, nostalgic fans who spent some of the best days of their youth chasing each other around these maps have probably dreamed of playing the game online for a long time now, with friends old and new from around the globe. Thanks to Nintendo Switch Online, this will soon be possible.
GoldenEye 007 is available now for Nintendo 64 and is coming to Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.