The gameplay reveal of the upcomingPerfect Darkreboot at the Xbox Games Showcase this past June was a pleasant surprise given the game’s well-publicized development troubles. But that reveal and first gameplay footage for the newPerfect Darkwas far from the only surprise that June 2024 held for the franchise, as the Nintendo 64 original also made its way to the Nintendo Switch courtesy of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack tier, albeit in a state that left some fans feeling like they were getting a lesser version of a classic FPS. Thanks to some recent updates, though, there’s arguably never been a better time than now to either return toPerfect Darkor experience it for the first time.
The arrival ofPerfect Darkon theNintendo Switch Online service’s Mature Collectionwas a reason for excitement among fans until those same players started noticing the slew of problems plaguing the release. Unlike the original Nintendo 64 version ofPerfect Dark, the version emulated through Nintendo Switch Online suffered significant presentation and performance issues, such as input lag, slowdown after sustained fire, inconsistent sound, and the tendency for the game to freeze when Joanna Dark is inflicted with the “dizzy” effect during gameplay. With most of those changes now addressed, it’s a great time to hop back into one of the Nintendo 64’s best games.
What the Nintendo Switch Online Mature Collection’s Update Entails for Perfect Dark
Other than the emulated version of the Nintendo 64 original on Nintendo Switch Online, options for playingPerfect Darkon a modern console or PC are few and far between. Xbox and PC players have access to the 2010 re-release with upscaled textures via Game Pass, and that same version is available for purchase as a standalone title for Xbox owners via Xbox Marketplace. As far as playing the original, unaltered version ofPerfect Dark, though, players only have either official or unofficial emulation to rely on. The officially emulated version through Nintendo Switch Online was previously one of the worst ways to experience the originalPerfect Dark, but the recent update carries a slew of improvements that now make it a much better experience. These include:
Some issues with Nintendo Switch Online’semulation ofPerfect Darkstill persist, such as problems with the audio mixing, but that Nintendo listened to fan feedback and addressed some of the more glaring problems is a step in the right direction. Switch owners now have even more reason to hop in and playPerfect Darkin its improved state.
The Original Perfect Dark Is Still the Best Primer for the Upcoming Reboot
The arrival ofPerfect Darkin the spring of 2000 cemented it as one of the Nintendo 64’s best games and a worthy spiritual successor to Rare’s now-legendaryGoldenEye 007, but the franchise has had a rough go of it since. The firstfollow-up toPerfect Dark,Perfect Dark Zero, was one of the flagship launch games for the Xbox 360 after Microsoft’s purchase of Rare, but the title was critically panned and paled in comparison to the likes ofCall of Duty 2in the Xbox 360’s launch lineup. The promise of a franchise reboot courtesy of The Initiative and Crystal Dynamics' upcomingPerfect Darkpositions the series for a brand-new audience, and the N64 original still feels surprisingly fresh enough to serve as a warm-up round.
Many of the greatest titles from the 5th generation are starting to show their age (whether as a result of their visuals or gameplay mechanics), but 2000’sPerfect Darkis still a competent and exciting FPS with an enjoyable campaign and some surprisingly addictive multiplayer. With any luck, the newPerfect Darkwill show up sometime in 2025, meaning players can whet their appetites with the original onNintendo Switch Onlinein the meantime.
Perfect Dark (2000)
WHERE TO PLAY
This is the game Nintendo 64 fans have waited for. Nearly three years after the uncloaking of super spy action-adventure GoldenEye 007, developer extraordinaire Rare introduces futuristic special operative Joanna Dark, a.k.a. Perfect. In Perfect Dark, players are sent on a fast-paced adventure from downtown Chicago skyscrapers to underground labs to undersea wrecks of otherworldly origins. Naturally, the storyline weaves a complex web of conspiracy, hidden agendas, and megalomaniac corporate leaders with deep underground (and off-world) ties. As spy-game fans expect, unraveling the plot and disposing of the baddies require a grab bag of hi-tech gadgets and special weapons–especially given the game’s tougher and smarter enemies. Perfect Dark features Dolby surround sound, widescreen compatibility, and–as expected–stunning special effects, including dynamic lighting, chest-thumping explosions and realistic smoke, dust and steam clouds. Characters are lifelike thanks to motion-captured animations and beautifully rendered 3-D models. Perfect Dark’s multiplayer features are impressive. As in GoldenEye 007, up to four players can deathmatch in up to 20 different arenas. But that’s just the start of the fun. The inclusion of up to eight computer-controlled opponents (“bots”) adds an original component to the frag-fest. Humans can team with or against bots and even command a bot teammate to target specific opponents. Numerous original games, such as King of the Hill, offer so many variations that you just might forget that an engrossing single-player experience lies at the heart of the game.
