Why a N64 gem isn't on XBLA

The 90's hold many fond memories,the dot com bubble was still growing, the economy was great and gamers everywhere were too soon be thrilled with the glorious Playstation 2. Sony's console war ownage against Nintendo and sidelining of Sega not withstanding. Poor dreamcast, you never had a chance.

While microsft and Nintendo have been allowing us to journey back into the past through online marketplace and virtualizations, few games of note have actually migrated and gone cross plateform. Rare's hit FPS *Golden Eye 007*, could be among among the major stars of yester year getting new life on XBLA if only Nintendo, which co-produced and published the game, weren't so damn greedy.

For me Golden Eye 007, was my first real FPS, with multiplayer and all. No other FPS at the time had the variety and depth on the N64 or the enjoyability factor. Camping out and blowing your foes away with rockets was almost as thrilling as declaring supremacy with a little yellow gun. In alot of ways in established what other shooters on the console should look and feel like at least to my generation. Somehow Nintendo proceeded to become more chilish over time, with new james bond titles coming out for Sony's consoles and then Microsofts as well. Looking back its easy to draw comparisons between Goldeneye and the first Halo, with the evolution of the genre having produced many interesting stepping stones along the way for console FPS's.

Which brings me back to why this is so infuriatingly rediculous. The great roadblock in this mutually benificial and consumer friendly endeavor is that Nintendo and microsoft can't agree on how the money will make its way to nintendo's pockets. Will there be royalties to nintendo per XBLA download or one lump sum. Rare has re-activated the licenses for some but not all the actors who starred in the orignal game, showing an appreciation for talent that others rarely get.


Nintendo is rolling in cash from the Wii, DS and now Wii fit, not to mention the 7 or so good games on the Wii this past year, so why not just allow us gamers to be nostalgic and play a few rounds of 007 ? What could it hurt ? Nintendo is just being petty and greedy over a game that while a classic has had its day in the sun but could still go a few more rounds. An FPS'ers pong if you will.


- Al3x


Source: 1UP: why did golden eye XBLA stall