'Goldeneye’s' Controls Have Been Holding It Back From Greatness

The single deal-breaking issue with the original Goldeneye on N64 was the game’s control scheme.

[Number1TailzFan]

It was ok for the time, the only way you'd get superior controls is by playing on PC with a mouse, the same still stands today though. I think Goldeneye and Perfect Dark were the last games i enjoyed before i didn't really enjoy playing any FPS with a controller due to getting used to my PC controls.

[darthv72]

Never cared for the original N64 controller. Im glad this game has more modern control scheme (on XB) as it makes it feel more natural.

[Neonridr]

though at the time, you couldn't move around like that on home consoles outside of the N64 controller. The original Playstation controller was a split D pad with 4 face buttons by comparison. It wasn't until a few months after this game came along that the first version of the Dualshock was introduced.

[Profchaos]

That's true but it wasn't until Aliens resurrection in 2000 were we got the birth of the modern fps control scheme using duel analogue. The game was a huge flop and heavily criticised for it's control scheme ironically but it did proper modern style duel analogue style shooting before anything else.

[Neonridr]

@Profchaos - oh don't get me wrong, trying to free aim with the N64 controller by holding down the shoulder button and then aiming meant that you couldn't move and aim at the same time. Awful when you look back now, but at the time, everything felt pretty revolutionary.

[Limitedtimestruggle]

1.2 Solitaire for the win!

[Putnum]

Read: "Greatest and most influential first person shooter of its time was not as good as RICKYDMTL was hoping it would be a quarter of a century later"

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[roadkillers]

It’s amazing how these old games were setup. I never noticed this when I originally played around 25 years ago… but this is a game where you play each level multiple times to understand the layout, objectives, enemies, etc. I’m on the 6th level after 6 hours trying to complete everything on 00 Agent difficulty.

My buddy came over excited to play and he just bitched about the controls. Yes, the are not tight. It’s something you learn as you go. I aim when someone is far away otherwise shoot from the hip (for the semi-auto aim). It’s different, not easy to pickup, but definitely fun. He and I beat 2 levels taking turns

[Tzuno]

The fact that it still delivers in 2023 shows that games were made with care back then

[PrimeVinister]

Loads of crap games were made back then too, in fairness. But some games, like GoldenEye 007, have qualities that don't age. There is still loads to enjoy about the level designs, mission layouts, shooting reactive doods with a variety of weapons. The unlockables are still very addictive - I do get the same rush seeing something become available and then checking it out. Be it cheats, characters or MP weapons.

It's very "complete" for a cartridge game.

[Oywee]

I totally loved it back then on the N64. Today (Switch version) I`m really confused about the control schemes, and especially the sensitivity of the controller (look) that make the game way ALOT harder to play today than it used to be back then. (or it could just just me getting older?) - Love to see the campaigns,level designs,music, etc all over again though.. X) -For control scheme, Solitaire 1.2 + switched the left & right stick, works closest for me to he original N64 controller so far.