Review: ‘Goldeneye 007′ for Wii

James Bond returns to familiar territory in Goldeneye 007 for Wii, which is a remake of the much-loved classic Goldeneye 007 for Nintendo 64. However, there’s a lot of changes in this new Wii version, and all of them are wise ones.

Daniel Craig’s Bond is now our star, and the gameplay is familiar yet foreign, allowing for a sense of nostalgia while still bringing a unique and new game to the Wii in the form of Goldeneye 007.

In Goldeneye 007 for Wii, the plot and gameplay of the Nintendo 64 game is maintained, but tailored to the Wii in a way that really works. Graphics are updated, and the story is tailored to fit Daniel Craig’s portrayal of Bond, details that make Craig’s appearance in this game make sense and bring a fresh experience to both newcomers to 007 and die-hard fans.

Transitions between gameplay and cut-scenes are seamless in this game, making it really enjoyable to experience the story of Goldeneye, whether you’re a fan of Bond or just a lover of a good ol’ fashioned shooter. Because we haven’t gotten a James Bond movie in quite some time, the top-notch cinematics and voice acting from Daniel Craig and Judie Dench almost make up for that.

Attacking in this game is just so much fun, whether you’re sniping from above or meleeing from behind an enemy. If you’re a newbie to shooters, it’s an easy system to learn, while if you’re a seasoned FPS veteran, you’ll feel right at home without getting bored.

There’s several different controller variations for Goldeneye 007, but I quickly realized that only one was worth using. Firstly, there’s the Classic Controller, and the new Classic Controller Plus that was released pretty much because of this game. While the Classic Controller wasn’t the worst way to control the game, it wasn’t the best either. Aiming with the analog stick was annoying and inaccurate, and the controller still doesn’t feel as natural for shooters as the Xbox 360 controller or the Playstation Sixaxis.

Next, there’s the Wii Mote and Nunchuck, which just isn’t worth even bothering to me. While it’s cool to aim with the Wiimote, I didn’t find it as fast or accurate enough to shoot as quickly as need to progress through the game without dying every few minutes. I have similar feelings about using the Wii Zapper with this game, though this is a little bit quicker than the Wiimote by itself. Finally, we come to the controller I’ve used the most and like the best for Goldeneye 007, the Gamecube controller.

While it may be a bit old school, the Gamecube controller feels more natural and easier to use than all the other configurations I just listed. The analog stick isn’t as sensitive as the Classic Controller, and because there’s quite a few more buttons on the Gamecube controller, it’s genuinely easier to find a combination of controls that you’re used to. However, because there are so many different ways to control the game, you’re sure to find something that’s right for you, regardless of

Multiplayer is as customizable and vast as the controller figuration I discussed above. There’s online multiplayer, four person split-screen multiplayer, and team modes, and all of them are a blast and a true testament to the Nintendo 64 classic while still being new and fun on the Wii.

Graphics are pretty much the only thing I have to complain about Goldeneye 007, but because it’s on the Wii there’s not much that could have been done about this. Activision was able to cram an incredible amount of detail and gorgeous landscapes into this game, but unfortunately when a lot of fire, smoke, rain, and other detail is on the screen, gameplay can get choppy and full of the lines that Wii players have come to expect. This definitely isn’t an ugly game by any means, and Goldeneye 007 for Wii is definitely a prime example of how awesome all games on the Wii should look, but don’t expect an art masterpiece all the way through.

In short, if you’re looking for the classic Nintendo 64 Goldeneye experience in a fresh new light, Goldeneye 007 for Wii is definitely worth it. But if you never played the original, the experience is just as rewarding. Goldeneye 007 for Wii is a definitive first-person shooter for the Wii that stacks up against the likes of Call of Duty.