In terms of action spy thrillers, no character has arguably become as iconic throughout film history as James Bond. Agent 007 has been on several adventures spanning many decades, with multiple actors taking up the mantle over the years. The slick, suave British agent's espionage missions have become the source of inspiration for an assortment of video game releases as well, the most notable of which being Rare's Goldeneye 007 on the Nintendo 64.
First released in 1997, Goldeneye 007 wasn't just a solid movie tie-in game, but a breakthrough achievement in console first person shooters. A genre initially reserved for PC with titles like Doom and Quake, it wasn't until this James Bond game that console buyers could also join in on the action. Much of this success was largely attributed to the N64's four controller ports, allowing for frantic split screen multiplayer chaos. While Goldeneye 007's status in gaming cannot be overlooking, it is not the only video game based on Bond to have graced players over the years, with many other worthwhile experiences hitting store shelves.
The World Is Not Enough
Based upon the Pierce Brosnan Bond film of the same name, The World is Not Enough follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, Goldeneye 007. Although developed by Eurocom instead of Rare, the title still boasted plenty of similarities to Goldeneye 007 as well as a set of unique features to call its own. For one, the game's graphics are significantly improved, with added detail to character models and environments as a whole. The World is Not Enough had a tough act to follow, considering the game that came before revolutionized an entire gaming genre. Even if it may have been slightly overshadowed in this regard, it is still a fast paced, enjoyable first person shooter and one of the best looking games on N64.
Agent Under Fire
Serving as the first James Bond game on the sixth generation of gaming, Agent Under Fire continues the first person shooter thrills of both Goldeneye 007 and The World is Not Enough. A main difference this time is that the game follows an original storyline not based on a pre-existing film, so players had no frame of reference to guess what would happen next, resulting in more surprises. Levels were just as diverse, the action just as explosive and the cool style of the James Bond franchise present as always. Vehicular sections were also added in to spice up the gameplay even further and serve as a change of pace from the shooting segments.
Nightfire
Serving as a direct follow up to Agent Under Fire above, Nightfire continued the adventures of James Bond with great success on the PS2, Xbox and GameCube. The game improved upon nearly every aspect found in the previous title, boasting a more engaging campaign, electric soundtrack and hugely addicting multiplayer. The latter category in particular made good use of the Bond franchise as a whole, with playable characters from all eras ranging from Jaws to Auric Goldfinger.
Everything Or Nothing
Switching gameplay styles up after multiple releases, Everything Or Nothing changed the perspective from first to third person, giving the player more view of the grandiose action onscreen. This game went all out in terms of delivering the authentic Bond experience, most notable being its all star cast including Pierce Brosnan (lending his voice and likeness) as well as Willem Dafoe portraying the game's villain. The storyline was tense, set pieces exciting and range of gadgets extremely enjoyable to tinker with. Toss in a two player co-op mode and this is one Bond game not to be missed by fans.
From Russia With Love
Yet another movie adaptation, From Russia With Love translates the classic Sean Connery Bond adventure to the video game medium flawlessly. Building off the success of Everything or Nothing released two years prior, this installment continues to third person action, fine tuning mechanics for an even more polished experience. Both stylistically and gameplay wise, this title captures this particular era of James Bond and delivers another satisfying action romp for fans of the franchise.