GoldenEye 007 Switch Release Finally Being Teased
The name's Switch, Nintendo Switch. Not that Nintendo needed more help shifting its handheld golden goose, but the recent release of the Nintendo 64 expansion for the Switch Online Store has seen the House that Mario built cash in on our love of retro gaming.
The N64 expansion has launched with an impressive library that includes the likes of Super Mario 64 and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, with hopeful releases of Banjo-Kazooie, Majora's Mask, and more on the way. Still, there's an Aston Martin-shaped hole in our lives, with many still asking if we'll ever get to see GoldenEye 007.
What's The Latest About A GoldenEye 007 Switch Release?
The complicated history of GoldenEye 007 means it hasn't always been smooth sailing. In the '90s, Rare was a cornerstone of the Nintendo lineup thanks to GoldenEye, Perfect Dark, Diddy Kong Racing, and more. These days, Rare sits under the Microsoft umbrella and is known for Xbox exclusives like Sea of Thieves. If rights issues weren't enough of a stumbling block, there's the fact GoldenEye 007 has been banned in several countries.
Now, GoldenEye 007 has been unbanned in Germany and has given hope to the idea of a Switch port. According to Schnittberichte, GoldenEye 007 and two Blood Rayne games have been removed from a list of "Media Harmful to Young Persons". It was due to expire after 25 years - meaning a 2022 unban - however, this was done early at the request of an unknown party.
The fact the Nintendo eShop is based in Germany has sparked the idea that we could soon be seeing a GoldenEye 007 Switch release.
Will We See A GoldenEye 007 Switch Release?
If you still aren't convinced, let's take a look at the recent Switch release of Dying Light. The game didn't make its October 19 release, with a Techland spokesperson telling Reddit, "If you’re talking about the digital version, then due to the nature of content the digital version of the game is currently banned in Germany where European e-Shop is officially registered."
They continued: "This is making it impossible to officially distribute the game in European countries and also in Australia and New Zealand. We are currently working with our partner and local authorities to remove the ban as soon as we can." Is it the same with GoldenEye 007?
As it stands, GoldenEye 007 is lost to the history books. There was recent confirmation that a remaster was pulled from Xbox just months before release, while the 2010 Wii game of the same name was a completely different beast. Importantly, the fact Banjo-Kazooie is tipped to land on Switch, it proves Rare games aren't blacklisted.
If we get to see James Bond stare down the barrel of a gun on the Switch, we'll be shaken and stirred. Some of us would likely pay for the N64 expansion just for GoldenEye 007. Make it happen, Nintendo. You know you want to.
