The reasons behind the abandonment of the much-anticipated remaster of Goldeneye 007 are, of course, rooted in complexities that extend beyond the realm of the average observer. In 2008, it became apparent that the project was doomed to fail, trapped in a labyrinthine licensing dispute between Microsoft, Nintendo, MGM, and Electronic Arts. The latter held the Bond gaming license at the time, making it all but impossible to secure the necessary sign-off from all parties involved.
However, when news broke of the resolution of this long-standing impasse, there were whispers of hope that the original Xbox 360 remaster project could finally see the light of day. After all, Xbox still owns Rare and the source code is believed to be safely stored away, and with much of the work having already been completed over a decade prior – including a fully functional multiplayer mode – it seems like a logical and worthwhile endeavor to bring this classic title back to life with the finishing touches it so rightly deserves.
Unfortunately, as is often the case with what appears to be the most reasonable course of action, it seems that this dream will remain unfulfilled. The motivations behind this outcome are shrouded in mystery, leaving us to speculate and ponder. It is possible that the newly established licensing agreement mandates that the N64 original must be released in its original form, thereby avoiding the stigma of offering an inferior version to players. Alternatively, as Alex suggests in the video above, it is possible that EON productions may not have an interest in remastering a title that deviates from the current trajectory of the Bond franchise, as evidenced by their endorsement of IO Interactive’s upcoming Project 007, which promises to deliver a Bond experience more akin to Hitman than DOOM.
It is a lamentable state of affairs, as the upscaled N64 roms are, in all honesty, rather unappealing. The textures are blurred and smudged, and the primitive geometry of the characters and environments is prone to breaking apart at the seams. Even during its heyday, the N64 graphics were considered subpar, but when viewed on a small 14-inch CRT at a low resolution of 240p, the limitations were somewhat easier to overlook.
The issue of game preservation has been a source of growing concern in recent times, as countless beloved titles face obsoletion due to the rapid advancement of technology. The once-ubiquitous hardware on which they were designed becomes rare and outdated, licensing agreements expire without fanfare, and digital storefronts remove them from circulation, leaving them at the mercy of the often-exploited second-hand market.
While the recent re-release of Goldeneye in a form that approximates its original iteration, with updates that cater to contemporary audiences, is a step in the right direction, it is a missed opportunity for something greater. The mere act of preserving this classic title is commendable, but it could have been so much more – a shining example of what can be achieved when the past and present converge.
