Goldeneye 007 for the Wii is a worthy successor to the original

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I remember it like it was yesterday. Putting Goldeneye into my old Nintendo 64 for the first time, and not really expecting too much. And then the dam level came on, and I realized this was the best game ever invented.

OK, maybe that’s a bit hyperbolic, but the original Goldeneye for the Nintendo 64 was an innovative, thrilling game for its time. Some people to this day refuse to sell their old Nintendo 64 just so they can still hook it up on occasion and play Goldeneye. Yes, I’m one of those people.

So there was much rejoicing thoughout the Internet when news came out that Goldeneye was going to be remade for the Wii. The anticipation for the Nov. 2 release date was unbearable for some, but eventually the date arrived. The game is here.

And, while it’s not as good as the original, it’s still a very good game, and the best first-person shooter for the Wii.

The good: You really have to think to beat this game. If you just run around shooting everything, you will lose. Stealth, sneaking up on the enemy and patience is definitely rewarded. The opening of the first level, the dam level, is a great recreation of the original game. There are definite nods to the original, while at the same time updating the gameplay for today’s gamers.

The bad: Some of the levels are way too dark, causing you to have to rely on the map to navigate through some areas. Even after adjusting the brightness of the screen, some levels remain a murky mess. Also, one of the best parts of the original game was the ability to explore around every level. Sure, you weren’t accomplishing anything toward actually winning that level, but being able to explore the frozen tundra was interesting. This game is much more linear, leving little if any time to explore the levels.

In short, if you were a fan of the original, you should buy this. But it’s impossible to recapture the thrill of the original. There have been too many games like the original since then, and it’s almost impossible to recreate the anticipation each new level of the original brought.

But make no mistake, this is a good game. Get it. You’ll be glad.

--Houston Mitchell