After years of rights issues, the classic Nintendo 64 first-person shooter "GoldenEye 007" is coming to the Nintendo Switch and Xbox consoles. As per a Polygon report, the Switch port of the original game is said to include multiplayer and will be included in the Nintendo Switch Online and Expansion Pack, as well as Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
"GoldenEye 007," one of the most notable and influential games in the FPS genre, is the third best-selling Nintendo 64 game of all time. The game will be making its debut on Nintendo and Xbox's newest flagship consoles.
According to Rare, the Xbox console version of the N64 game has been "faithfully recreated." It will have a smooth framerate, achievements, and 4K resolution. Local split-screen multiplayer will also receive support with a higher framerate.
Xbox 'Goldeneye' Does Not Have Online Multiplayer
The excitement of Xbox gamers was short-lived due to Microsoft's most recent announcements, which were frustrating - especially for retro game fans. It has been revealed that the fan-favorite "GoldenEye 007" multiplayer modes will only support online play in the upcoming Switch remake. Microsoft has not stated why the feature is not available for the Xbox.
This was verified by a statement on the James Bond website. The site claims that "Exclusive to the new Switch version of the 1997 title will be online play, allowing 007 fans across the world to take part in the popular four-person multiplayer mode together."
According to other reports, there are significant differences between the Switch and Xbox versions of the game, with the Xbox version having an updated framerate and resolution. This is implying that incorporating any potential online multiplayer would be too costly or difficult for the Xbox console.
People Online Point Out Several Reasons
People online were quick to speculate about the reasons behind this frustrating move by Xbox. While Microsoft is still hesitant to elucidate the situation, a portion of its player base is currently in the dark. The company refused to give any answers in their numerous statements to media outlets, only confirming that the Xbox version of Goldeneye would not support online multiplayer.
According to a Forbes article, there are a few theories as to why this is the case with Xbox. The ability to play online multiplayer was one of the exclusive benefits Nintendo demanded their version of "Goldeneye 007" as the game's original platform publisher.
One of the arguments put forth by CBR is the Nintendo Switch's ability to play old ROMs thanks to a form of built-in emulator. Instead of creating and adding new online multiplayer functionality to the game, Nintendo's online lobbies could modify the local version of "Goldeneye 007" to work across networks.
Whatever the real reason, it is strange that the multiplayer mode of the game is not available for Xbox. It will never be possible to compare the experience of playing the game with friends, as many people did in 1997.
