And Agent Dark is still active
- by Alana Hagues
Rare had an incredible journey on the Nintendo 64, and today we are honoring the anniversary of yet another of the studio’s masterpieces — Perfect Dark.
Joanna Dark first appeared on Nintendo’s 64-bit console on 22nd May 2000 in North America, with a European arrival in June. Even today, it stands as the studio’s highest-rated title on Metacritic still.
Despite the series experiencing fluctuations over the years (through Game Boy Color and Xbox 360 sequels), the original continues to be cherished for its fantastic gameplay, multiplayer elements, stunning graphics, and healthy level of difficulty. It was, in many aspects, an enhancement over Rare’s previous legendary shooter, GoldenEye 007. Some even consider Joanna’s quest on par with Bond’s — let’s be honest, it’s a hard comparison! We won’t pass judgment.
Additionally, a shoutout to Retronauts for reminding us that the events of the game transpired… two years ago. How are we still here?
While the series has been relatively silent for some time, you can still commemorate today’s anniversary by launching the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack version for a quick multiplayer session with pals.
Furthermore, we anticipate a fresh installment of the game (not on Switch or Switch 2, at least for now) from developer The Initiative. First unveiled back in 2020 at The Game Awards, Perfect Dark made a comeback at Microsoft’s Showcase during Summer Game Fest 2024.
For an in-depth exploration of Perfect Dark’s history, complete with interviews from those involved in its development, be sure to check out our feature on the game that we published for its 20th anniversary, authored by contributor and site friend James Batchelor.
Are you a fan of Perfect Dark? Are you looking forward to the reboot? Or do you believe it’s superior to GoldenEye? Participate in our poll below and join the celebration of this game in the comments.
Alana has been part of Nintendo Life since 2022, and although RPGs hold her heart, Nintendo is a close second. She relishes nothing more than overanalyzing battle plans, characters, and narratives. She also dreams of being a Sega sky pirate.
