GoldenEye 007 (found build of cancelled Xbox Live Arcade remaster of Nintendo 64 first-person shooter; 2007-2008)

Title screen.

Status: Found

Date found: 02 Feb 2021

Found by: SeanBeansBean

Starting in 2007, Rare was developing a remaster of their hit 1997 game GoldenEye 007 for the Xbox Live Arcade. However, issues related to licensing led to the project's cancellation in 2008.

Background

GoldenEye 007 is a first-person shooter video game developed by Rare and published by Nintendo in 1997 for the Nintendo 64, based on the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye. The game was immensely popular, selling over 8 million copies worldwide and garnering critical acclaim for its atmospheric level design, realistic and deep gameplay, and addictive multiplayer mode. GoldenEye 007 maintains a strong cult following and a large speedrunning presence to this day.

In 1998, Nintendo lost the James Bond license to Electronic Arts, who would release several James Bond games in the following years. Later, in 2006, Activision acquired the license. They eventually released a modernized reimagining of GoldenEye 007 for the Wii in 2010, later released in 2011 for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

In 2002, Microsoft fully acquired Rare, making them a first-party developer for the Xbox.

Development and Cancellation

In 2007, Rare was developing an online-enabled remaster for the Xbox 360 as an Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) digital download. However, the project would be cancelled in 2008 due to disagreements between the many stockholders of the James Bond IP. It was two months away from completion.

Leaks and Availability

In December 2020, the XBLA version was leaked on 4chan; however, the files were protected by a 100-character password which was never shared or solved.

In a separate leak on January 2021, GoldenEye YouTuber Graslu00 livestreamed a full playthrough on YouTube, saying in a pinned comment to expect a public release in 2021. On February 2nd, 2021, an unknown party under the alias SeanBeansBean released a build to the public, dated August 25th, 2007; it can be played on a modified Xbox 360 or an emulator.

Videos

"Half Hour of GoldenEye 007 XBLA Gameplay" by Rare Thief. Uploaded in 2016, this was the first gameplay video of the XBLA version.

Modern Vintage Gamer's video on the subject.

Online multiplayer gameplay using XLink Kai.

See Also

GoldenEye 007

• Goldeneye 007 (lost build of unreleased Virtual Boy game; 1996)

Others

• Calvin - Bond Reviewer (partially found episodes of internet review series; 2010)
• Goldfinger (partially found deleted scenes from James Bond movie; 1964)
• James Bond 007: A License To Thrill (partially found motion simulator ride; 1998-2002)
• John Smith: Special Agent (found original version of "James Bond Jr." NES game; 1991)
• Omnibus: The British Hero (lost television documentary; 1973)
• Per Fine Ounce (partially found manuscript of James Bond novel; 1966)
• The Property of a Lady (lost production material of cancelled James Bond film; 1990-1993)
• Warhead 2000 (cancelled James Bond film; 1996-1999)
• You Only Live Twice (lost Jan Werich footage of spy film; 1967)

External Links

• Unseen64 article on the Goldeneye 007 remaster.
• The Cutting Room Floor page of the game.
• Internet Archive upload of the rom.
• Rare devs talk about the nearly completed Goldeneye 007 remake - Ars Technica.
• Interview: The Real Story Behind GoldenEye HD, as Told by its Directors - Video Games Chronicle.