Retro Games, Contemporary Minds: A Review of <em>Goldeneye 007</em> (Nintendo 64, 1997)

Abstract

Growing up in the 1990s and early 2000s, James Bond somewhat surrounded me. Pierce Brosnan's films mesmerised me, ITV ran older Bond films every week, and there were trading cards and magazines too. But it is GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo 64 that is the single product I have engaged most with over time. Still fondly remembered by people of my age, Rare's game has had a huge impact on the video game industry; many critics still include it in greatest games lists, and the game's single-player and multiplayer game modes and mechanics have helped to form the foundations for modern-day first-person shooters. Moreover, the game engrossed the playerl playing it was exciting and amusing, and further drew players into the world of Bond.The game has been re-released and re-developed a few times, but I wanted to see how blinded by nostalgia older gamers, including myself, are. This review looks to answer this query, as a small group of d'Overbroeck School's students play and review the game using the original hardware. They explore GoldenEye 007 with a frank discussion of its weaknesses and strengths, how its multiplayer and single-player compare, and how it affects their view of the James Bond Franchise.