The hype online surrounding one of the most beloved multiplayer games in Nintendo history, GoldenEye 007, finally coming to modern systems with online play was one of the highlights of the Nintendo Direct. It seems like that hype has cratered for the Xbox version as the online improvements seem to be a Switch-exclusive feature, however.
According to the official 007 website announcement for the game, the Switch version of the 1997 classic N64 title will allow for four-person online multiplayer. It also mentions that this is exclusive to the Switch version for what might be the simple reason of it being a port of the original.
Xbox is getting a version of GoldenEye 007 too, though it is not just a simple port. Instead, GoldenEye 007 HD is a 4K resolution remaster that will be added to Game Pass and the library of fans who already own the Rare Replay collection that enacts some serious changes to the classic title.
Offering 16:9 resolution up to 4K Ultra HD (where supported) and additional features like consistent refresh rate, dual analog stick support, and achievements—this is an updated version of the game that VGC reports almost never saw the light of day.
Microsoft’s official detailing of the game confirms that it will feature the full classic campaign mode, difficulty options, built-in cheats, and “the iconic split-screen local multiplayer mode.” But that final point is the only time multiplayer is mentioned at all, with the specific reference to couch co-op play included too.
This obviously doesn’t rule out the potential inclusion of online multiplayer at some point, but that would have likely been a key selling point for Microsoft if this version of GoldenEye 007 did have it included.
Speculation currently points to licensing for the James Bond and GoldenEye 007 properties as the cause for a lack of multiplayer being added to the Xbox version, as it would consist of actually adding new content to the game rather than just refining what was already there with the 1997 original. Small quality of life features like the dual analog stick support and or Xbox adding achievements on its end wouldn’t likely count toward that.
With that in mind, online play is not technically being added to the game, but rather Nintendo’s online lobbies feature within the Nintendo Switch Online app will allow players to facilitate an online version of the classic four-player multiplayer, which lines up with that speculation.
Update Sept. 13 9:20pm CT: Microsoft has released several statements confirming information about the version of GoldenEye 007 being released for Xbox consoles, all of which note that multiplayer is not in the cards.
“Xbox is excited to bring GoldenEye 007 to Xbox Game Pass for the very first time – a faithful recreation of a much-loved and iconic title,” an Xbox spokesperson said to VGC. “While there are no plans to include online multiplayer as part of GoldenEye 007 on Xbox Game Pass, Xbox is focused on bringing this title to players in the way they fondly remember, including local multiplayer mode, allowing up to four players to take to the couch in a battle of wits and skill.”
This doesn’t answer the question as to why online multiplayer is not being included as a new feature, but it lends more credence to the idea the classic port coming to Switch is only getting that “feature” due to the circumstances surrounding that emulator app.
