N64 Switch Lineup Is Great - But Something Is Missing
We're shaken (and stirred), as the recently rumoured addition of Nintendo 64 titles to the Switch Online catalogue has finally been revealed. For many, the N64 is one of the greatest consoles of all time - which has something to do with its games being icons in their own right.
From Super Mario 64 to The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart 64 to GoldenEye 007, these legacy titles helped shape the modern era of gaming and many franchises that are still going to this day. It's great to see so many are part of the N64 launch roster, however, there's one all-star that hasn't made the cut.
What's missing from the N64 Switch lineup?
If you had to create your own dream team of N64 games - but were only allowed to pick three - it would undoubtedly include Super Mario 64, Ocarina, and GoldenEye. With this in mind, it's no surprise fans have been grabbing their Golden Guns and running to Nintendo HQ to demand Rare's 1997 shooter is added to the service.
Players haven't forgotten that 007 is MIA, with the Twitterverse asking when/if the game will arrive on the Switch Online Service.
The launch lineup includes the following games:
- Super Mario 64
- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time
- Mario Kart 64
- Lylat Wars
- Sin and Punishment
- Dr. Mario 64
- Mario Tennis 64
- Operation: WinBack
- Yoshi’s Story
There's the future promise of titles including the likes of Ocarina's darker sequel in the form of The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and the lauded Paper Mario. We also can't wait to return to the kooky world of Banjo-Kazooie, but there's still no sign of GoldenEye.
Will GoldenEye 007 come to Switch?
Considering the influence GoldenEye 007 has had on the first-person shooter genre, it's more than a crying shame we aren't able to jump off the dam on the Switch. Of course, the history of GoldenEye has been marred is technological tragedy.
Microsoft recently confirmed that a remaster of the classic GoldenEye had been in the works around 2008, but was axed about two months before it was complete. Rare had then fallen under Microsoft's umbrella, and apparently, it was a face-off against Nintendo as neither side could decide. Instead, we had Eurocom's 2010 remake of GoldenEye. Even though it wasn't a bad game, it failed to cash in on the success of the original.
Hopeful gamers have pointed out that Rare's Banjo-Kazooie has somehow made the leap to the Switch. Then again, you should probably note that other legends from the developer's catalogue are also confined to the history books. The acclaimed Donkey Kong Country is nowhere to be seen, and neither is Perfect Dark - which was a spiritual successor to GoldenEye.
Remembering that Microsoft is currently working on an Xbox-exclusive Perfect Dark reboot, there's no way Joanna Dark is going to end up on the Switch. If this is the case, it's also a pretty damning prognosis for Bond, James Bond. While there's plenty to keep us excited in the N64 lineup, it doesn't look like we'll be getting the keys to the Aston anytime soon.