Last fall, it was announced that the classic 1997 N64 first-person shooter, GoldenEye 007, Coming to both Xbox and Switch in 2023. Today is the long-awaited day, as one of the most beloved and influential games of its time is now available on both platforms. While both of these versions are largely faithful reproductions of the famous console FPS, the key differences exist in ways that do not immediately represent a version that is clearly superior. dominant. I’ve played quite a few versions of both to see which one I’d rather play in 2023.
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When GoldenEye 007 came out in the late 1990s, I played it obsessively alone and with friends for months. In that time, I’ve completed all the missions on 00 Agent difficulty, unlocked all the cheats, and played through hundreds (if not thousands) of multiplayer matches with you raft. As with all my favorite games, I eventually failed and moved on to newer releases, but my fondness and nostalgia for GoldenEye 007 is still there.
Years later, when I was in college, I vividly remember going to a friend’s room and turning on the N64 to watch matches of my favorite games like Super Smash Bros., Star Fox 64, and of course GoldenEye 007, of course. I’m the worst of them all, largely due to the extent to which the shooter genre has grown with newer franchises like Halo, Call of Duty, and the recently released Black. there. At the time, I considered GoldenEye 007 to be an influential game that will never feel as good as it once did due to the tremendous advancements in its genre since its release. That’s the mindset I went into my sessions with these new versions of GoldenEye 007.
difference
When these ports of GoldenEye 007 were announced, we were told that the Nintendo Switch Online version would be more like a direct port from the original Nintendo 64. In contrast, the Xbox version has received a bit of a modernization in native 4K 16:9 resolution format, consistent refresh rate, achievement support and most importantly dual analog stick control. Meanwhile, the Switch version doesn’t bring any inherent improvements to the FPS title, but through the Nintendo Switch Online feature set, you can play online multiplayer and use save states (if any) you choose) to help with those difficult tasks.
Xbox version
As advertised, the Xbox version brings a number of improvements that make GoldenEye 007 play better than ever. Much of the game runs smoothly and looks great at full screen resolution (though I did notice a few drops in frame rates). The most important selling point for me is how well the Xbox version plays, thanks to a modern control scheme that uses both analog sticks, like almost any modern shooter.
It cannot be overstated how far being able to aim and rotate with the right stick while traveling with the left will make this 25-year-old title feel much less aged. I was really shocked to see how good GoldenEye felt on Xbox. Using a modernized control scheme, I was able to get through the first few levels on Agent 00, even unlocking my first cheat (interestingly, the Xbox version kept the name. “DK mode”, although the reference is not too subtle to Nintendo-owned Donkey Kong). The Xbox version is the one I’ll fire up when I’m learning about GoldenEye 007’s single player.
Converted version
Jumping through the Switch version, I immediately felt the strain of using the classic single-stick controls and full-screen controls (thankfully, there’s a widescreen option in the in-game menu on my watch). Bond). To get the full impression, I started by using the standard Switch Pro Controller, which doesn’t translate well for any Nintendo 64 games. GoldenEye 007 is no exception. Playing this game on a standard Switch controller feels downright lousy, thanks to the default button mapping – aiming and moving with the left stick feels counter-intuitive and the trigger/shoulder buttons feel backward from the way they should be. Thankfully, one Reddit user Cuesport77 gave instructions on customizing the buttons to achieve a more modern control scheme on the Switch..
Without doing that rework, your best bet is to play the Nintendo Switch Online version of GoldenEye 007 (or indeed any N64 game in the category) buy one of the hard to find Nintendo 64 controllers for the Switch. I was lucky enough to get one in a rare re-stock last year, and after spending time using it in GoldenEye 007, I’m even more glad I did. Yes, the game still feels very old, but it’s a surefire way to experience this version if you don’t want to rearrange all the controls. Even when playing on the N64 Switch controller, I still had moments of inaccuracy, like the video below.
The biggest selling point of the Switch version, of course, is that you can enjoy the game’s legendary split-screen multiplayer mode through Nintendo Switch Online’s online functionality. This feature is not exclusive to GoldenEye 007, but it is probably the best use case. After playing a few missions on the Switch, I entered an online multiplayer match. Multiplayer is still as vibrant and exciting as it was in 1997, and Nintendo Switch Online’s multiplayer capabilities handle the remote action nicely. When playing 1v1 online, I didn’t experience any noticeable lag, allowing the mode to truly make GoldenEye 007 the legendary late ’90s title shine to its fullest. I’m super excited that there’s an easy way to play GoldenEye 007 online.
Conclusion
Ultimately, deciding which version you spend your time on will depend on what’s more important to you. If you’re like me, the dual analog stick controls alone make the Xbox version a superior release, but Nintendo Switch Online’s online multiplayer capabilities can’t be ignored – especially if those The friend you used to play with now lives on opposite ends of the country. Thankfully, both versions are included with each platform’s respective subscription service at no extra cost, so depending on your situation, you may not need to worry about choosing one. select.
GoldenEye 007 is available now on both Xbox (available through Rare Replay and Xbox Game Pass) and Switch (available via Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack).
