Why ‘GoldenEye 007’ Fans Might Never See the Nintendo 64 Game Join Switch Online
In October, Nintendo took its first steps toward offering an expansive Nintendo 64 game library via Nintendo Switch Online. Only 10 out of more than 300 N64 titles exist on the platform right now, which means the service has a long way to go. Naturally, fans have started throwing out ideas for more games to add to Switch Online, with one of the most popular suggestions being the hit James Bond game GoldenEye 007. Here’s why that might not be a possibility.
‘GoldenEye 007’ was released on the Nintendo 64 in 1997
GoldenEye 007, based on the 1995 James Bond film starring Pierce Brosnan, played a crucial role in many gamers’ childhoods. The first-person shooter game featured a single-player campaign that sent Brosnan’s Agent 007 on a mission to stop a satellite weapon. Additionally, players could participate in multiplayer matches with up to three friends.
After its release in 1997, GoldenEye 007 became the third-best-selling Nintendo 64 game. Many critics praised the realistic nature of the game and the intricate detail work in the environments. It ultimately changed the first-person shooter genre, as it incorporated new stealth elements and both single- and multiplayer options. First-person shooters have come quite a long way since 1997, but it all started with GoldenEye 007.
Why ‘GoldenEye 007’ might never make it to Nintendo Switch Online
Since the Nintendo 64 game library’s launch, Nintendo announced plans to add more games like Paper Mario and Banjo-Kazooie.
Because of GoldenEye 007’s contributions to the gaming industry, bringing it to Nintendo Switch seems like a no-brainer. For starters, it would undoubtedly be enough to convince some users to purchase the expansion. Additionally, Nintendo already has a partnership with the game’s developer, Rare (also the developer behind Banjo-Kazooie), to bring several Rare titles to the platform.
Unfortunately, porting GoldenEye 007 to Switch isn’t as easy as it sounds. Anything can happen, of course, and fans should never say never unless Nintendo says it first. However, the game does have a big obstacle in the way: rights and licenses.
As Video Games Chronicle notes, Nintendo would need to re-negotiate rights to the James Bond concept, as well as rights to Brosnan’s likeness and other actors who appeared in the adaptation. That’s a tricky and costly process.
Again, it’s possible Nintendo might deem the cost worth it. In that case, GoldenEye 007 probably wouldn’t come to Switch Online for several months. Nintendo has Banjo-Kazooie planned for release in January, but the schedule is unclear beyond that.
Will there ever be a ‘GoldenEye 007’ remake?
Technically, GoldenEye 007 was reincarnated in 2010 on Nintendo DS, PlayStation 3, Wii, and Xbox 360, developed by Eurocom and n-Space. However, it was more of a reimagining than a direct remake — the story followed Daniel Craig’s version of Bond, so the missions weren’t the same.
Beyond the reimagining, a GoldenEye 007 remaster almost happened. One of the biggest reasons for its cancellation? Those pesky rights issues.
Rare planned to release a remake on Xbox Live Arcade, which came very close to completion. However, as Rare game designer Duncan Botwood told MundoRare, the legal issues were too slippery. In addition to gaining rights from the film companies, the studio also would’ve had to negotiate with Nintendo to release the game on Xbox.
“Licenses are, by nature, highly restrictive agreements, and while GoldenEye 007 slipped past under the radar of the license holders, the success of our game meant that subsequent games have been less fortunate, and probably less free from that kind of oversight in their development than those teams would have liked,” Botwood said.
