GoldenEye’s Ban Lifted Early, Causing Nintendo Switch SpeculationÂ
One of the most well-known N64 games, GoldenEye 007, has had its ban lifted in Germany after its initial release 24 years ago. This is an interesting development and a possible flag for the iconic game, meaning that it could be coming remastered to Nintendo Switch and possibly even other platforms. GoldenEye 007 was released in 1997 for the Nintendo 64 and had been placed on the list for harmful to minors according to the Federal Review Board for Media Harmful to Minors, also known as BPjM (short for its actual title, Bundesprüfstelle für jugendgefährdende Medien) meaning that in Germany, GoldenEye could not be advertised, sold, or rented where minors could have access. This also could make it difficult for an adult to obtain a copy within Germany at the time, as distributors would have to go through various processes, and adults would have difficulties even obtaining the game online, if at all.
Normally after 25 years after release, games go under an automatic review. But seeing as the lift came early, this leads to the assumption that someone was lobbying for GoldenEye. And with the fact that currently, according to Schnittberichte.com, Stadlbauer Marketing owns the German rights for the game, as well as other Nintendo products, this could be a big hint towards a possible remaster of the game. There has, after all, been a possible leak back in January, and it is possible to play the older version of the game on the Nintendo Switch Online and Expansion Pack. But with all of the lag, sound delays, and various other issues, GoldenEye 007 would need a serious clean-up to make it playable, or at least a more enjoyable experience.
This is not a guarantee either that we will see the game remastered either. Sadly, there can be issues with licensing, both of using James Bond license and likely the reuse of the actor’s likeness, such as the James Bond at the time, Pierce Brosnan. So even while it may be possible coding-wise, copyright issues may delay or even cancel a possible GoldenEye 007.
We can only cross our fingers and hope to hear otherwise.