This year marks the 50th anniversary of James Bond’s big screen debut in Dr. No, and Bond is still one of the most important franchises in the world.
After all this time, he’s still going strong with the latest 007 saga Skyfall, which hits theaters on November 9.
The Bond novels and the movies have thrilled audiences for decades, so it’s only natural he’d also be in games. Activision’s new Bond game, 007 Legends, takes us back to the 1964 Bond classic Goldfinger, as well as Die Another Day, Moonraker, License to Kill, and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
Even if you’re a casual Bond fan, you know that there have been many different actors playing him throughout the years, the most notable of course have been the original onscreen 007, Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and the latest incarnation, Daniel Craig.
That said, the Legends game is all Craig, which is an interesting idea. George Lazenby starred in Secret Service, and he was a dud as the “in-between Bond,” not to mention he wouldn’t be that interesting of a game avatar either. (Lazenby’s also such an obscure actor that players will wonder who the hell he is).
In Legends, Goldfinger’s out to get all the gold in Fort Knox, and it’s up to Bond to stop him. Other game characters nclude Oddjob (can’t wait to see that flying guillotine hat again), as well as the hilariously named Pussy Galore. Another interesting tidbit? The 1997 Bond game, Goldeneye 007, is considered one of the pioneers of the first person shooter format for the Nintendo 64 console.
Cinema Blend was hoping that Connery, who’s retired from acting, would allow his famous Scottish voice for the game, but as the site feels, “The price tag for such an appearance would probably be too high.” Nice idea to put out there though. I’d certainly love to hear Connery, as well as Moore, say “Bond, James Bond,” one more time.
Still, 007: Legends should provide plenty of thrills with Craig as its Bond avatar. 007 Legends is available now for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.
