The iconic game from the Nintendo 64 era is beloved by many gamers around the world and is touted as one of the best classic FPS games of all time. Nostalgia and the desire for a remastered version have been omnipresent, going back as late as 2007. Video game developer Rare was acquired by Microsoft in 2002, which made them a subsidiary of Xbox Game Studios. Rare took up the responsibility of creating a faithful adaptation of the legendary 1995 James Bond movie, kicking off work in 2008, with the intent of publishing the remastered version through Xbox Live Arcade. With a mix of original and updated graphics and the addition of Online Multiplayer mode, the game was expected to be a smash hit on Xbox Live. But Rare and Microsoft never ironed out the terms of the licensing agreement, even after the work on the remaster started. This led to the game being shelved until it was eventually leaked in early 2021. But in mid-September of 2022, Nintendo and Rare came out with a joint statement announcing that an HD remake of GoldenEye 007 is coming for the Nintendo Switch and a 4K version for the Xbox Game Pass. With a confirmed return of the nostalgic local split-screen multiplayer, it appears this version of GoldenEye 007 is going to be the 2010 Eurocom port of the game with a remastered image. That means that online multiplayer won’t be available on the Xbox Game Pass, despite it being a confirmed feature for the Nintendo Switch version. Despite GoldenEye 007 not being mentioned on the list of upcoming games on the Xbox Game Pass which includes titles like Stranded Deep, Mortal Shell, Shadow Warrior 3, Persona 4 Golden, and Monster Hunter Rise among others, the hope is that this rumor is actually true. The new addition will make the Nintendo Switch even more attractive, considering it’s the third best-selling console of all time. And any good publicity would be good for Microsoft these days, considering the trouble they’re going through with the Activision Blizzard deal.
