A Goldeneye 007 remaster ‘could be revealed in the next few weeks’, it’s claimed

Authored by videogameschronicle.com and submitted by Aggressive_Sea_8206

A HD remaster of N64 classic GoldenEye 007 could be revealed as soon as during the next few weeks, it’s been claimed.

That’s according to VentureBeat journalist Jeff Grubb, who stated on his premium Giant Bomb show GrubbSnax (transcribed by VGC) that he believes that Microsoft is likely to announce the revival, rather than original publisher Nintendo.

This matches what one source has recently told VGC.

Grubb said: “I think that Microsoft is going to be the one to announce that first.” He added: “I think this game is probably coming pretty soon, I’m thinking next couple of weeks.”

Goldeneye 007 has infamously been somewhat of a legal nightmare to rerelease in the past, with rights holders Nintendo, Microsoft and MGM theoretically all required to approve a new version of the N64 classic.

However, 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of the James Bond franchise, leading many to speculate that the most iconic video game in the franchise’s history could finally be re-released as part of the celebration.

And there is some evidence that this could happen: in January, Rare developers were spotted unlocking Xbox Achievements for Goldeneye 007, implying that a previously-cancelled Xbox 360 remaster could finally be officially released for modern platforms.

Last year it was confirmed that Microsoft had to shelve an already completed remaster of the classic N64 game for the Xbox 360, following licensing issues and miscommunication between license holders and a young team who rushed ahead to create it, despite a deal for the game having never been signed.

A working build of GoldenEye 007’s cancelled Xbox 360 remaster was leaked onto file-sharing sites in early 2021, allowing those with access to the files to play it via a modded console or PC emulator.

At the time, VGC reviewed the leaked GoldenEye Xbox build and called it “the greatest remaster you’ll likely never play”.

Speaking for the first time to VGC in a GoldenEye Xbox interview last year, the canned remaster’s co-directors said they didn’t think it would ever be officially released.

“It’s kind of bittersweet,” co-director Chris Tilston said of seeing the GoldenEye remaster leak into the public domain. “It means people get to see the work that was done, but it also masks some of the cockups that went on behind the scenes.”

Co-director Mark Edmonds added: “The thing that I find strangest is, why now? Why leak it after all this time? Someone must have had this for all those years. It just seems strange to me.

“When I first heard about it, it almost made me think, are Microsoft leaking it on purpose for some reason? (Laughs) I don’t think that would make sense, but it does make you wonder.”

factorysettings on February 13rd, 2022 at 15:42 UTC »

A remaster was finished already and leaked on the internet. You can play the entire thing with an emulator.

A working build of GoldenEye 007’s cancelled Xbox 360 remaster was leaked onto file-sharing sites in early 2021, allowing those with access to the files to play it via a modded console or PC emulator.

At the time, VGC reviewed the leaked GoldenEye Xbox build and called it “the greatest remaster you’ll likely never play”.

Speaking for the first time to VGC in a GoldenEye Xbox interview last year, the canned remaster’s co-directors said they didn’t think it would ever be officially released.

It looks like that's what this is.

Swordeus on February 13rd, 2022 at 14:53 UTC »

Didn't they already remake it a few years ago?

mymumsaysno on February 13rd, 2022 at 14:16 UTC »

It's been too long and it would just end up as another generic shooter. Goldeneye was special not just because of what it was, but when it was.