Classic Rare games are seeing a resurgence on modern consoles. The originalDonkey Kong Countrytrilogy was added to Nintendo Switch Online in 2020.Banjo-Kazooiewill also be added to its N64 library as part of the Expansion Pack subscription tier, following up the titular duo becoming a DLC fighter inSuper Smash Bros. Ultimate. Just yesterday,Xbox One achievements for aGoldenEye 007remasterappeared online, and with all this activity it’s a shame to not seePerfect Darkget some love.
The firstPerfect Darkreleased for N64 in 2000, giving Rare another successful first-person shooter franchise afterGoldenEye 007in 1997. It had some longevity, with the prequelPerfect Dark Zeroreleasing in 2005 for Xbox 360 after Microsoft purchased Rare. Now Microsoft seems to be banking on the IP as something capable of changing the industry at large: itannounced aPerfect Darkreboot at The Game Awards 2020helmed by The Initiative; described as a “AAAA” studio. With much of Rare’s older catalog coming back, it would make sense for the originalPerfect Darkto get a remaster before this ambitious reboot hits shelves.
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Perfect Dark is Rare’s FPS With the Greatest Potential
There is still a possibility thatPerfect Darkcould be added to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Microsoft has been open about letting Rare’s work stay in the Nintendo ecosystem, as with the aformentionedDonkey Kong Countrytrilogy andBanjo-Kazooie. It would be difficult to imagineGoldenEye 007releasing via Nintendo Switch Online since the deal would also have to go throughJames Bond’s IP owners, including Eon Productions and MGM givenGoldenEyeis a movie tie-in game.
Perfect Darkwould have fewer hoops to jump through, and could slot in as a potential Switch Online release alongside Rare classics such asDiddy Kong Racing. ProtagonistJoanna Dark has become something of an iconfor fans of the franchise, and is a female lead who stands out from an earlier age of game development with Samus Aran or Lara Croft. ThePerfect Darkreboot is being assisted by Crystal Dynamics, known for its work on the modernTomb Raidergames, which makes this comparison even more apt.
However, the franchise’s cult status deserves more than just a re-release on Nintendo Switch Online, which has been criticized for less-than perfect emulation.GoldenEye 007potentially receiving a remaster suggests there is still a hunger for fifth-generation console shooters, and while Joanna Dark is not as recognizable as James Bond, her original game did benefit from years of development followingGoldenEye. With a fresh coat of paint over its sci-fi setting and updated controls, beyond what was possible when it received a remaster on Xbox 360 in 2010,Perfect Darkwould be a great to bring back.
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A Perfect Dark Remaster Would Benefit The Initiative’s Reboot
ThoughPerfect Darkdeserves a remaster in its own right, putting out such a project would also benefit Microsoft’s push for The Initiative’s reboot.Perfect Dark’s 2010 remaster is the latest title to release, meaning this series has missed two entire console generations (discounting Xbox’s push for backward compatibility). Franchises likeThe Last of UsandHorizon Zero Dawnhave risen to prominance in that time, offering plenty more iconic female protagonists; meanwhile others likeGod of WarandDoomhave seen comprehensive reboots to keep their characters in the public consciousness.
What was originally Rare’sPerfect Darkseries has not been so lucky, and it’s easy to imagine a substantial sect of video game fans today might not know anything about the N64 original or Microsoft’s prequel. WhileThe Initiative’sPerfect Darkreboothas enough intrigue to stand out on its own, those who remembered those original games undoubtedly got more out of its announcement. Giving more people the opportunity to try Joanna Dark’s previous ventures would go a long way to establishingPerfect Darkas a blockbuster franchise again, so a remaster appealing to modern sensibilities would be perfect.
MORE:All the Rare-Developed Nintendo 64 Games That Could Come to Switch Online
