Despite the inclusion of online multiplayer in GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack, the Switch version appears to be missing one of the game's most iconic sounds. Nearly 25 and a half years since its initial Nintendo 64 release, Nintendo and Xbox players will soon experience GoldenEye 007 on modern platforms for the first time.Rumors surrounding a GoldenEye 007 remaster or re-release persisted for years, and trademark extensions fueled speculation even further. These rumors would come to an end when Microsoft and Nintendo announced the game's triumphant return during the September 2022 Nintendo Direct. The Switch version would be available with Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack subscribers, while the Xbox versions were confirmed for Xbox Game Pass subscribers and Rare Replay owners. The differences between the Switch and Xbox versions were made apparent when Microsoft announced the Xbox versions of GoldenEye 007 lack support for online multiplayer.Users excited about the release of GoldenEye 007 for Switch noticed the iconic "gong" sound from the game's Q Watch music is missing in a clip shared by Nintendo on Twitter. The Q Watch contains one of the most memorable tracks from GoldenEye 007, so the missing sound raises questions to those who played the original Nintendo 64 version.
Some users suggest the GoldenEye 007 gong sound may be missing due to emulation settings currently in use for Nintendo 64 titles on Switch. For example, the Switch's Nintendo 64 emulator has caused some technical issues in past releases such as The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Mario Kart 64. Fortunately, Nintendo regularly updates the Nintendo 64 emulator to promote proper rendering of assets, reduce online latency in multiplayer, and fix any bugs that arise. If the emulator causes issues in GoldenEye 007, Nintendo will likely address these problems through updates.
GoldenEye 007 fans should wait until the game is available on Switch since potential issues cannot be directly determined before launch. Further, the gong sound being edited out of the GoldenEye 007 clip by Nintendo remains a possibility for now. After all, Nintendo tweeted the clip to promote GoldenEye 007's iconic soundtrack by composer Grant Kirkhope.
A new generation of players may finally experience the first-person shooter genre's earliest foray into multiplayer from the late 90s. GoldenEye 007 supports online multiplayer on Switch, and local play remains a valid option for hangouts. Nintendo should ensure the GoldenEye 007 experience is authentic on Switch while targeting performance that fans expect from first-person shooters in the modern era.
GoldenEye 007 launches January 27 for Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
Source: Nintendo Life